The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Nikon Instruments Inc. to upgrade the Stereomicroscope systems to continue nematode research. Other features required:  18:1 Zoom Ratio; 7.5x-135x Magnification Range; Thin LED Base with Oblique Coherent Contrast slider; Variable LED lighting; Coarse/Fine Focus and Tilting Trinocular Head..

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.  Authority for this sole source procurement is under 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented in FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Any firm that believes it can provide the supplies/services listed above may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Please complete the attached Request for Information.

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. The Point of Contact for this action is Sandra Daniels and any response must be emailed to [email protected].  Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered.