Relocation of the Nano and Micro HPLC Systems and the Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer.

NOTICE OF INTENT – SOLE SOURCE ACQUISITION

Notice No.: 75N98026Q01253

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order to Thermo Electron for the relocation of the Nano and Micro HPLC Systems and the Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer.

The Government intends to solicit from a single source in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Description of Requirement

The objective of this requirement is to safely relocate the Government's Nano HPLC System, Micro HPLC System, and Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer from a radiochemistry laboratory in Building 10 to the Mass Spectrometry Unit in Building 13.

The instruments require specialized disassembly, packaging, transportation preparation, reassembly, and post-relocation diagnostic testing. The relocation must be performed in a manner that protects the instruments from damage and ensures that they remain properly configured and operational following installation at the new location.

The required services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide instrument-specific shipping crates designed and/or approved for the Nano HPLC System, Micro HPLC System, and Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer.
• Disassemble the Nano HPLC System, Micro HPLC System, and Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer at the Building 10 laboratory.
• Properly secure and package each instrument in the appropriate instrument-specific crate in preparation for relocation.
• Provide the technical expertise necessary to safely prepare the instruments for transport.
• Reassemble and install the instruments at the Building 13 Mass Spectrometry Unit.
• Perform diagnostic testing and appropriate operational checks following reassembly to verify that the Nano HPLC System, Micro HPLC System, and Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer are functioning properly.
• Address any installation-related issues identified during post-relocation diagnostic testing.

Justification for Sole-Source Acquisition

The Government has determined that Thermo Electron is the only known source capable of providing the required relocation services while maintaining the technical and operational integrity of the instruments.

The instruments are Thermo Electron-manufactured systems that require specialized knowledge of their configuration, components, connections, disassembly procedures, reassembly procedures, and manufacturer-specific diagnostic requirements. The relocation involves more than ordinary equipment moving services and requires qualified technical personnel capable of disassembling and reassembling the systems without compromising their performance or configuration.

The requirement also includes instrument-specific crates designed to protect the Nano HPLC System, Micro HPLC System, and Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer during relocation. The Government requires that the instruments be properly disassembled, secured, transported, reassembled, and diagnostically tested by personnel possessing the necessary technical knowledge and experience with these systems.

Use of a general laboratory equipment moving service or an otherwise unqualified third party could introduce a risk of damage, improper reassembly, loss of instrument configuration, or failure to restore the systems to operational status. Such risks could result in additional costs, equipment downtime, and delays to ongoing research activities.

Based on the Government's market research and knowledge of the equipment, Thermo Electron possesses the specialized technical expertise and manufacturer-specific knowledge necessary to perform the complete relocation, reassembly, and diagnostic testing of these instruments.

Accordingly, the Government believes that Thermo Electron is the only responsible source capable of satisfying the requirement without unacceptable risk to the equipment and associated research operations.

Response Information

This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, interested parties that believe they can meet the Government's requirements may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to provide the required services and satisfy all specified technical and operational requirements.

Capability statements must specifically address the offeror's:

1. Experience disassembling and reassembling Thermo Electron Nano and Micro HPLC systems and Q Exactive Mass Spectrometers;
2. Availability of qualified technicians with manufacturer-specific training or equivalent documented technical qualifications;
3. Ability to provide appropriate instrument-specific crates or equivalent manufacturer-approved protective packaging;
4. Ability to safely prepare the instruments for transport and reassemble them at the destination laboratory; and
5. Ability to perform post-installation diagnostic and operational testing.

The Government will consider all timely capability statements received and will determine whether the acquisition should proceed as a sole-source procurement or be competed.

The Government anticipates making an award approximately one (1) calendar day after the closing date of this notice, unless the Government determines that another responsible source is capable of meeting the requirement.

Capability statements shall be submitted electronically to haunp@mail.nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EDT on September 28, 2026.

Please reference Notice No. 75N98026Q01253 in the subject line of the response.