NASA/GSFC has a requirement for a floor mounted materials testing system (Instron Model 3382), capacity 100KN. The specifications for this equipment are proprietary and the property of Instron Corporation of Norwood, MA. NASA intends to procure the equipment from Instron Corporation on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1) as cited under FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source. The machine must be compatible with existing Instron accessories including the load cells, grips, adaptors as well as existing Instron attachments in the Balloon Research and development Laboratory that exists in Building F7 at Wallops Flight Facility. All existing Instron load cells are self identifying load cells and are of a proprietary design by Instron®; therefore the machine must be procured from Instron to insure compatibility with our existing load cells. The existing data and test files collected over the past twenty years using existing Instron software can only be converted using Instron Bluehill® software that is part of this procurement. This will insure accessibility to existing data files and test methods.
The Bluehill® software of the Instron 3382 model is the same software used by our facility in Palestine, TX (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility). Utilizing the same software is critical to insure compatibility, data exchange and file transfer with our Texas operational site (CSBF).
The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on January 5, 2009. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
