The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1- only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement. The NAICS code for this procurement is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The period of performance for this procurement is 5 months.

Gerstel, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of this instrumentation and is the only company able to provide the XYZ robotics (MPS2) systems that will allow for rapid and accurate inlet injection, timing which allows for more consistent sample processing and handling, and dependable performance irrespective of operator. In addition, the configuration of the instrumentation to be purchased allows for more samples to be analyzed in a single experiment, and meeting the program requirements including cost and time constraints. We currently have (9) MPS2 autosampler systems and these products have demonstrated Ease of Use and Maintenance which suits our program requirements. These robotic instruments are currently used with our existing chromatography and analytical technology to provide precise headspace injections with accurate syringe technology. Our current gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technologies and sample preparation techniques necessitates the use of certain instrumentation be utilized in the determination of trans fatty acids and lipids in human plasma for NHANES, other epidemiological and biomonitoring studies. This background can be furnished to prospective offerors.

Specifically, the Gerstel, Inc. robotic systems are used for injecting aliquots for the measurement of compounds in NHANES samples for the trans fatty acid project. Usage of this instrumentation will increase throughput for our laboratory by greater than 100% to assess the biomonitoring samples for the following trans fatty acids and lipids. Furthermore, using instruments from the same manufacturer would greatly reduce the time necessary to modify a method on a different type of instrument. This would include additional training, method development, and method characterization which could take 1-4 months in revalidating the methods, reprogramming software and continuity in instrument sensitivity by each instrument at minimum when compared to others. This instrumentation will allow for the robust liquid injection of samples containing trans fatty acids and lipids in NHANES samples from the U.S. population.

As a result of this synopsis, no competitive solicitation will be posted on FedBizOpps. We will issue only one solicitation to Gerstel, Inc. However, all responsible sources that believe they can meet these requirements may submit their capabilities/qualifications statement to provide the services to Vallerie Redd via email ONLY at [email protected] with the solicitation number 02528 referenced in the subject line NO LATER THAN August 30, 2011.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action will be based on responses to this notice and are solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.