The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with VG Scienta, Incorporated, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, for the acquisition of an 800mm Omniax Manipulator to be used at NISTs Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. *** NIST cites FAR 6.302-1(a)(ii)(A) and (B) (see excerpt below) as primary rationale for Sole Source Determination. (ii) Supplies may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment, including major components thereof, when it is likely that award to any other source would result in -- (A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition, or (B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency?s requirements. (See 10 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)(B) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (d)(1)(B).) BACKGROUND NIST operates three beamline laboratories at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) located at the DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory. The OMNIAX Translator described herein will be mounted permanently at our U7A beamline as part of second beamline endstation. This OMNIAX Translator (ultra high vacuum 4 axis; X,Y, Z, and theta) is fully compatible with two other OMNIAX Translators previously purchased and in routine use at NIST NSLS beamlines U7A and X24A. *****Sole source determination is based on the need for compatibility and interchangeability with existing beamline OMINAX translators currently in the laboratory. This equipment will be used at a remote site (NSLS) in 24/7 operation located at Brookhaven National Laboratory, rapid interchangeability with existing equipment (between beamlines) is very important in order to maintain a high level of up time, imperative to the success of NIST research. Unique compatibility with NIST custom made existing software and sample-holder hardware which has been designed to work with these OMNIAX translators is required. VG Scienta, Incorporated, is the only known vendor capable of supplying the required manipulator. ***Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and be completed in accordance with the Contractor?s commercial schedule. *** *** As defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, (FAR), FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The contractor shall deliver all line items to NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-0001. *** *****The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 Employees. ******A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition 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. *****No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, responses received by August 1, 2007 will be considered by the Government.

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