The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Radiation Biology Branch (RBB), plans to procure on a sole source basis a Replacement of Cobalt-60 source in Eldorado 8 irradiator with MDS Nordion, Inc., PO Box 13500, 447 March Road, Kanata, Ontario K2K1X8, Canada. The supplies and services herein are being procured in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. The Radiation Biology Branch conducts studies on cellular and whole animal responses to gamma-irradiation, and the effects of radio-protectors and sensitizers. This requires irradiating cells or small animals using an Eldorado 8 cobalt-60 teletherapy machine. Because cobalt-60 decays with a half-life of 5 years, our irradiator is currently operating at one-half the dose rate. The RBB provides support for several other NCI branches that conduct radiation biology studies, a well as a branch of NHLBI. All of these users are inconvenienced by the increasingly long irradiation times. This procurement will provide for the safe removal and transport of the existing cobalt-60 source and replacement with a minimum 150 rmm source. A higher activity source will restore the dose rate of the irradiator to its original level, increasing our efficiency and providing for more reliable results. Replacing a radioactive cobalt-60 source is a highly technical operation, to be done by trained personnel with specialized equipment. The cobalt-60 sources used in this machine are extremely radioactive and thus pose an extreme danger unless handled by professionals. They must be transported and installed by personnel who are specifically trained to handle the sources and to install them in our irradiator. The Eldorado 8 irradiator was built by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd, now owned by MDS Nordion. They are the only company who has personnel specifically trained to replace cobalt-60 sources in Eldorado 8 irradiators. Their personnel have been trained to service Eldorado 8 irradiators, and have worked on our irradiator previously. They are familiar with the physical layout of the building and are equipped to move the sources safely through the building. MDS Nordion, Inc. is the only source known to the NCI that can supply the cobalt-60. This is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform this requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 PM EST, September 15, 2004. If you have any questions they must be submitted in writing to Malinda Holdcraft, Purchasing Agent, at [email protected] or by fax 301-402-4513. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Solicitation number must be cited on all correspondence, NCI-40151-NG. No collect calls will be accepted.

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