J -- Maintenance Agreement on ABI PRISM 3730XL DNA ANALYZER

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Orient Point, New York, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis for a maintenance/service contract with Applied Biosystems North American Sales & Service, 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, CA 94404. This notice is neither a request for quotations nor a solicitation of offers. Based on the requirements for the above system, the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with one source under the authority FAR 6.302. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement on a full and open competitive basis is solely within the discretion of the Government. No formal solicitation package is available. Only written responses will be accepted and must be received within five (5) calendar days of the date of this notice. The Government anticipates award on May 1, 2004. The Government will not be responsible for any costs in the preparation of responses to this announcement.