QSTAR XL oMaldi service contract

The USDA-ARS, Parlier, Ca has a requirement for a sole source maintenance agreement with Ab Sciex for our QSTAR XL oMaldi Mass Spectrophotometer unit. Due to the complexity and costs of the unit only Ab Sciex trained technicians will be allowed to work on this unit. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract under statutory authority 10 USC 2304(c)(1), set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Per FAR Part 5.207-13(e) Fed Biz Ops Numbered Note 22 applies and is modified to read: 22. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within five days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.