Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Portable Aerosol Speciation Spectrometer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to Handix Scientific for a Portable Aerosol Speciation Spectrometer (Model PASS-1100). The PASS utilizes a turbulent-mixing condensation aerosol concentrator (TCAC) for high collection efficiency of nano- to respirable particles, and a Raman and spark emission spectrometer (SES) that operate in tandem for aerosol speciation.

Raman spectroscopy provides very low limits of detection for hazardous workplace aerosols such as respirable crystalline silica (0.98 ?g) and rutile titanium dioxide (0.027 ?g). The SES provides additional near real-time measurement of particulate metals with detection limits lower than NIOSH RELs thereby supporting NIOSH’s effort towards exposure assessment.

Handix Scientific is the equipment manufacturer and only company that can provide an instrument that meets our analytical requirements for a Portable Aerosol Speciation Spectrometer to support our ongoing research projects. Handix Scientific is the only licensee of technology and intellectual property needed to fabricate PASS instrument.

This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government.

A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at uxs2@cdc.gov by COB 4/24/2024