This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Newport Corporation who will provide a service agreement for the Spectra Ultrafast Oscillators.

The National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a sole source requirement for the preventative maintenance for (1) Spectra Ultrafast Oscillators. The confocal microscopes equipped with these lasers are in nearly constant use (8+ hours per day). Because of this heavy usage, the Mai Tai lasers are in operation for 3 full days per week at a minimum. These lasers have a limited lifetime and need 1230 recalibration. The laser diodes at the heart of the system have defined lifespans and can fail at any time. When this happens the lasers must be repaired, recalibrated, and returned to operation as soon as possible. Newport Spectra Physics is the sole manufacturer of these microscopes, they are the sole provider of parts and software for their instruments. consequently, they have the only technical staff that can install and optimally maintain their instruments as well as provide cutting edge technical support and parts.

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-23-2175459 to Maliaka Pinkney at maliaka.pinkney@nih.gov, by 2:00 pm eastern standard time June 16, 2023. All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.