Opportunity: Notice of Intent to Sole Source an Anton Paar SurPASS 3 Surface Zeta Potential

Notice of Intent to Sole Source an Anton Paar SurPASS 3 Surface Zeta Potential Analyzer. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to Anton Paar to purchase a SurPASS 3 Surface Zeta Potential Analyzer. The required Zeta Potential Analyzer, sold by Anton Paar, is a patent protected piece of equipment and no other manufacturer sells this type of instrument. This specific analyzer is required so NETL can test zeta potential, which is the electrical potential that lies across the shear plane between mobile fluid and rock, or the immobile fluid attached to a rock surface. It can be used as an indicator of the stability of the formed colloidal solutions and fluid adsorption capability with certain surfaces. This patented instrument enables NETL to measure zeta potential on different type of samples like solid chips, rock cores, membranes, and powder with same instrument. While other similar instruments are dedicated to just one application or sample type, the single application does not satisfy NETL’s requirement. This is considered a sole source to Anton Paar as to the best of the NETL’s knowledge, based on market research conducted, Anton Paar is the only known source that can offer the service agreement for this instrument. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy NETL's requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for quote/proposal. Any interested party that believes it can meet the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 2:00 PM ET on April 19, 2023. Responses must be submitted in writing to the purchasing agent, Rebekah Parks, via email at rebekah.parks@netl.doe.gov no later than the time and date noted above. Telephone responses and requests will not be received. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.