65--Notice of Intent to Sole Source to TA Instruments for their Nano ITC (Isothermal Titration Calorimeter) 2G System with Degassing Station.

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with TA Instruments, 159 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720, to purchase their Nano ITC (Isothermal Titration Calorimeter) 2G System, with Degassing Station, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System needs to purchase this TA Instruments System/Equipment, since their System equipment has the salient features listed below that are essential to the government's needs, and that according to TA Instruments, no other company features in any other similar System, and since TA Instruments has claimed to be the manufacturer and sole exclusive seller of this System/Equipment. The system includes a calorimeter capable of scanning between 0.1C to 2C/minute from a temperature range of -10C to 130C with a short term noise level of not more than 0.2ucal/minute or 0.15uWatt and a baseline repeatability of 0. 4ucal/minute or 0.028uWatts, a power compensated electronics chassis, a data acquisition system capable of a half-time response of 5 seconds and software interfacing including a site license that provides for the coping of the S/W on multiple computers. The data file format should allow for export to Excel or alternate ASCII data files. The degassing station should provide a self contained stirring platform for 200ml of sample buffer, vacuum chamber, vacuum port, temperature control, and electronic timer for proper sample preparation for the analysis of our samples. This Notice of Intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Parties may identify their interest; accompanied by supporting literature, to the Contracting Officer no later than 1:00 PM on April 9, 2010. Responses should be sent to [email protected] or faxed to Ronald Mazzei at (412) 954-4028. No telephone responses will be accepted. Information received will be for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. The NAICS Code for this procurement is 334515 and the small business size standard for this NAICS Code is 500 employees. Contracting Office Address: Attn: Department of Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Contracting Officer, (90C-H), 7180 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 Point of Contact(s): Point of Contact - Ronald S. Mazzei, Contract Specialist, Ph: (412) 954-4028, Fx:(412) 954-4059