DESCRIPTION: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 Coherent Laser Group, of Santa Clara, California, for the acquisition of a Chameleon Ultra II Ti:S Laser System to be used in the Surface and Microanalysis Science Division of the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland. *** 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).) This requirement is for the development of a video rate, multi photon fluorescence microscope in support of NIST?s Enviornmental Health and Safety for Nanotechnology program. Sole source determination is based on the fact that, in order to increase the stability and usable spectral coverage of a multiphoton optical microscope, NIST requires a matched laser source that is a direct 1:1 replacement (in terms of compatibility and electronic interconnect requirements) for the existing Ti:S laser system in its lab (NIST property # 628463). Coherent Laser?s Chameleon Ultra II Ti:S laser system with pulse compression control is a direct upgrade (in terms of stability and increased spectral coverage) of NIST?s existing Ti:S laser system. Further, to achieve the necessary, high fidelity spectral coverage across a broad bandwidth (680-1080 nm) and to take full advantage of the pre-existing wavelength optimization servos and automated tuning schemes, matched Ti:S oscillators are required. Coherent Laser Group is the only known vendor capable of supplying the required Ti:S Laser System. ***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 334413, 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 April 8, 2008 will be considered by the Government.

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