Opportunity: Notice of Intent to Sole Source - JEOL

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technical Laboratory (NETL) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to JEOL USA Inc. to renew the annual maintenance/service level agreement (premier service contract) for the JSM-7600F FIELD EMISSION SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE and accessories for the period of June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025 plus two one-year option periods. This is considered a sole source to JEOL because, to the best of the NETL’s knowledge, based on market research conducted, JEOL is the only known source that can maintain this JSM-7600F FIELD EMISSION SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE. JEOL is the sole source provider/factory authorized service provider in the United States and they have no authorized resellers or distributors for this service. They are the only company that can provide service to their instruments. The maintenance agreement ensures continued use of the equipment and covers replacement units and upgrades of the system necessary to keep the unit operable within the NETL operating environment. JEOL does not provide service manuals to customers, other manufactures, or secondary market repair companies. The instrument contains proprietary software and hardware that can only be upgraded, supported, and serviced by JEOL. JEOL also has the unique proprietary parts that no other manufacturer has available. Replacement parts must be obtained from the original equipment manufacturer to assure satisfactory operation of the equipment. Service and repairs must be performed by JEOL factory trained service engineers. JEOL provides fast and responsive priority service to its service contract customers. Up to two preventive maintenance visits are included in this premier service contract. JEOL is the only vendor that can supply this exact premier service contract. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy NETL’s requirement. This notice of intent to sole source is not a request for quote/proposal. Any interested party that believes it is capable of meeting the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 4:00 PM EDT on April 3, 2024. Responses must be submitted in writing to the contracting officer, David Lahey, via email at david.lahey@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 the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.