Notice of Intent to Sole Source - HAAKE MARS Rheometer Service

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) – Cold Regions Research Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire has a requirement for replacement of a fluid valve control block on a Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS 60 Rheometer.

The ERDC-CRREL Laboratory plans to procure on a sole source basis, maintenance service for this specialized Rheometer from THERMO ELECTRON KARLSRUHE GMBH, 2 Radcliff RD, Tewkesbury, Massachusetts, 01876-1182, United States in accordance with FAR 13.106-1-(b)(1). Market research indicated that Thermo Electron is the only source for this requirement because of the proprietary nature of the equipment hardware and software.

As the original equipment manufacturer, Thermo Electron is the only company authorized with the required technical competencies to service the Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS 60 Rheometer in use by the Advanced Materials Characterization facility which does not void the warranty in place. This Rheometer and associated instrumentation require intense upkeep and regular maintenance necessary for continuous proper function.

Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized and must be maintained by the original manufacturer. The only way to maintain proper calibration, maintenance, and parts of Rheometer is to acquire maintenance agreement with Thermo Electron.

The manufacturer does not license third party technicians; therefore, to ERDC’s knowledge, Thermo Electron is the only provider that can meet the Government’s needs at this time. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement. Any interested party that believes they can fulfill this requirement should submit a capability statement to be reviewed.

All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will be in any way alter the Government’s acquisition strategy. Please provide responses to this notice no later than the Response time listed above in this notice, to:

CHL-CT-QUOTES@usace.army.mil Angela.D.Holcomb@usace.army.mil Please include the title of this notice in the subject line of any submitted responses to this NOI. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses to this notice will not be considered as a response to any solicitation, a request to be added to a prospective offers list, or to receive a copy of any solicitation. A determination by the Government not to compete the contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.