NASA/JSC has a requirement for a renewal of the HITACHI SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (SEM) SERVICE AGREEMENT. NASA/JSC intends to purchase the items from Hitachi High Technologies America Inc. The Hitachi SEM instrument is essential in performing failure analyses in support of many Johnson Space Center (JSC) offices and programs. Proper maintenance and rapid troubleshooting requires a familiarity with the characteristics of the subject instrument, and can require the comparison of voltages and waveforms of a working instrument with a malfunctioning one or, in some instances, an actual exchange of modules and components. The acquisition of this agreement includes trained service engineers, spare parts inventory, maintenance manuals, access to other working instruments and years of experience with this instrument. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing via email to
[email protected] not later than COB local time on December 26, 2012. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html .