Q-Lab Corrosion Testing Chamber Equipment

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center – Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL), Paint Technology Center (PTCx) in Champaign, IL has a requirement to procure Q-Lab brand scientific laboratory equipment, specifically Salt Fog and UV/Condensation Cyclic Corrosion Testing (CCT) chamber equipment. ERDC-CERL intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to Q-Lab Corporation in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

There are several types CCTs available on the market with varying specifications associated with each. The PTCx is needing a cyclic tester of a certain size (not exceeding 110 X 40 x 48 inches), with 100% humidity parameters and an internal solution tank.

Q-Lab brand CCTs meet these minimum specifications, and in addition purchasing Q-Lab equipment will provide the research team with the ability to utilize existing sample holders as they already have other Q-Lab brand equipment in their lab that this would be compatible with. The existing sample holders were custom-made for the specific sample panels used in the PTCx. The team will also experience a benefit in data consistency across the testing since all of the equipment will be from the same manufacturer.

Market research for this procurement, and historical information from past Q-Lab purchases have shown the Q-Lab equipment is only available directly from the manufacturer. This is not a small business set aside. 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:

CERL-CT_QUOTES@usace.army.mil 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 thediscretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.