Intend to Award Sole Source - Olympus microscope upgrades
ID: 1129835Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OFANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICEMRPBS MINNEAPOLIS MNMINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55401, USA

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

PSC

OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS, TEST EQUIPMENT, COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES (6650)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/c89ac8694b614a6a86785c04ac1fd941/view
Timeline
    Description

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), intends to award a sole source contract to Evident Scientific, Inc. for upgrades to existing Olympus brand microscopes. The procurement includes the installation of parts, CellSens software, and training, necessitated by specific technical requirements and compatibility with the Windows 11 operating system. The unique expertise required for these upgrades is critical to the laboratory's mission, and market research has confirmed that Evident Scientific is the only qualified vendor capable of providing the necessary services. Interested parties may submit responses to Connor Tees at Stephen.Tees@usda.gov by the specified response date, although this notice is not a request for competitive quotations.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Connor Tees
    stephen.tees@usda.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    FAR 13 Single Source Justification Less Than SAT (redacted).pdf
    The document outlines the need for immediate upgrades and training related to Olympus brand microscopes at the CVB laboratory. Due to specific technical requirements and compatibility concerns, only qualified technicians trained by Olympus can perform the installations and services. The existing microscopes must remain compatible with the required Windows 11 operating system, a task that a third-party vendor likely cannot ensure. Evident Scientific, Inc., a subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, has been identified as the sole qualified vendor capable of providing the necessary parts, installation, and training services. Market research conducted revealed no alternative vendors with the requisite skill set. The rationale for limiting competition is based on the unique expertise required and the critical functionality of the microscopes to the laboratory's mission. The justification concludes with a certification from personnel affirming the accuracy of the claims made, underlining compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation stipulating the justification for sole-source procurement. This document serves as a formal request for procurement in the context of federal grants and RFPs, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized services to maintain laboratory operations.
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    Intend to Award Sole Source - Olympus microscope upgrades
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