US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under authority of FAR 6.302-1(a) with TA Instruments, 159 Lukens Dr., New Castle, DE 19720 to provide the DIL 806, a high precision optical dilatometer. The DIL 806 is required to analyze trade samples by dilatometry to determine their linear coefficients of thermal expansion.

The system's unique and patented usage of GaN LED illumination and subsequent expansion measurement via shadowed light on a CCD will allow the CBP Lab to test glass samples of HTSUS Chapter 70 regardless of translucency or transparency. Furthermore, no other manufacturer's unit could be found having a unique plate-shaped sample furnace which offers an even temperature uniformity providing greater accuracy of analysis regardless of a sample's shape. Also, it was the only optical dilatometer of its type found to have an effective temperature range of -150C to 600C.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 Employees.

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate directly with TA Instruments. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. An award shall be made to TA Instruments. The anticipated award date is September 5, 2013.

However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities must be submitted in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the Government to determine if the party can perform the requirement. A determination to compete this action based on the responses received is at the sole discretion of the Government. All interested parties must express their interest and capabilities in writing via email to [email protected]. Verifications of receipt of responses are the sole responsibility of the contractor. If no responsive statements are received by September 4, 2013 at 02:00 p.m. EDT, an award will be made to TA Instruments.