This announcement serves as a Sources Sought Notice (FA700019Q0003) issued for the purpose of market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 for an upcoming acquisition at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). This sources sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment or obligation on the part of the Government to issue a solicitation. DO NOT submit a quote or proposal in response to this notice. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this notice is voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this notice.

The purpose of this notice is to identify companies capable and qualified to manufacture or provide one nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for the United States Air Force Academy. All businesses capable of providing the NMR Spectrometer are invited to respond. Interested small business vendors must reference their designation below, if applicable. For the purpose of this acquisition, the North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 334516 and the size standard in number of employees is 1,000.   

The contract type will be a firm-fixed price type contract.   

Delivery is FOB: Destination to USAF Academy, CO 80840.

The required quantity is one NMR spectrometer.

The minimum specifications for the NMR spectrometer are:

•              Must be a 90 MHz, 2.1T Spectrometer

•              Must include installation of instrument and end-user training

•              Must include shielded magnet

•              Must include dual channel ¹³C/¹H probe with two sample spinners

•              Must be a cryogen-free NMR

•              Must include a minimum 24 auto sample changer

•              Must include sample probe

•              Must include air source (pump, dryer, plumbing)

•              Must include a site-wide NMR software license

•              Must include NMR software for calibration, shimming, and acquisition

•              Must include Windows 10 data station loaded with NMR software

•              Must accept 5mm NMR tubes

•              Must include electrical line surge protection

•              Must use 120V, 60Hz, 20 amp power

•              Must have dimensions less than 50"H x 50"W x 50"D

•              Must include NMR magnet

•              Must be a new NMR system

•              Must include 1-year warranty

All items and components must be made and manufactured in accordance with DFARS 252.225-7001, Buy American and Balance of Payments Program.  All potential offerors are reminded, in accordance with FAR 52.212-4(t), System for Award Management, that the lack of registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) will make an offeror ineligible for contract award.      

Response Instructions:

Responses are due no later than 16 November 2018, 4:30 p.m. MST. Questions and responses should be addressed to the primary contact, Jessica Gladney, Contract Specialist, [email protected] or the alternate point of contact, Shaun Bright, Contracting Officer, [email protected].

Responses should also include the following:

1.  Company Profile:

                a. Company name:

                b. Mailing address:

                c. CAGE code and DUNS number, as registered in SAM:

                d. Point of contact (name, telephone number, and email address):

e. Business size designation/status, e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, large business, etc.:

2.  Appropriate written information and/or data supporting your capability to provide the stated NMR Spectrometers. Comments and/or suggestions on the specifications are encouraged and can be included in your capabilities package.

3.  Answers to the following questions:

a.       Is this equipment readily available in the commercial market?

b.       Do you require different terms and conditions than those normally used by the Government? If so, what are they? Please provide a copy of your terms and conditions for this type of work, if applicable.

c.        What are your standard payment terms (e.g., Net 30)?

d.       What delivery lead times do you anticipate?

e.        Is your company the manufacturer? If not, who is the manufacturer?

f.        Where is the equipment manufactured (e.g., Country of Origin)?

g.        What technology trends exist in this industry that might affect this acquisition?

Thank you for your participation.