The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of the Biochemical Science Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Olympus America, Inc., for the purchase of a Turboscan High Speed Microscope Slide Scanning System. Sole Source determination is based on the following: NIST currently utilizes an Olympus BX51 Microscope System and an Olympus IX71 Inverted Microscope System. Turboscan High Speed Microscope Slide Scanning System being purchased must be 100 percent compatible with these existing Olympus systems, including interfacing directly with existing Image-Pro Plus software for advanced measurements and image analysis. This compatibility ensures maximum flexibility, utility, and capability in the laboratory as proprietary Olympus hardware can be exchanged as needed between Olympus microscopes. Olympus is the only vendor capable of providing the required system, and satisfying the Government?s minimum requirements. Olympus America, Inc., is the sole manufacturer and distributor. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 employees. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, the Government will consider responses received by February 14, 2008, 3:30 p.m. EST. 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.

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