NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 75N98026Q00966

TITLE: Preventative Maintenance Service Contract for the Scan Module LSM 880 Microscope

CLASSIFICATION CODE:

J066 Maintenance and Repair of Instruments and Laboratory Equipment

NAICS CODE:

811210 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

RESPONSE DATE:

August 21, 2026

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute on Health (NIH), intends to solicit on a sole-source basis to Carl Zeiss Microscopy to acquire maintenance services for the Scan Module LSM 880 Microscope on or around September 15th, 2026. The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire preventative maintenance and service for an existing Government-owned LSM 880/Axio Observer Z1 Instrument system, Serial #2802000272 that was originally manufactured by Carl Zeiss Microscopy. These maintenance services shall be provided by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-Authorized Service Provider, and all maintenance services shall be performed by OEM certified factory-trained technicians using OEM certified parts. Carl Zeiss Microscopy is the only vendor with requisite parts, inventory, and technical expertise to meet these requirements.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET

ASIDE STATUS

The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 811210 with a Size Standard of $34M.

This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses, but rather is a sole-source acquisition.

BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF REQUIREMENT

Scan Module LSM 880 microscope operated by NIA since its installation in 2023, and has quickly become a critical research tool for LMBI scientists to acquire high-resolution images of single cells for accurate cellular analysis. A comprehensive service contract will ensure reliable performance, minimize downtime, and prevent delays in scientific research, thereby enabling LMBI investigators to obtain precise and timely experimental results. To continue to support cutting-edge research scanner performed by the NIH scientific community, it is essential to maintain and service this equipment on a regular maintenance schedule.

CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION

(INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology (LMBI), requires a preventative maintenance service contract to maintain the Scan Module LSM 880 microscope in optimal operating condition. The NIA owns a Scan Module LSM 880 Microscope which requires frequent visits from service technicians to ensure the unit is functioning properly and to continue obtaining consistent data and results for many experiments. Carl Zeiss Microscopy is the only vendor with requisite parts, inventory, and technical expertise to meet these requirements. LMBI research requires continuous use of this instrument, and this vendor has maintained the instrument since the expiration of its warranty in accordance with factory specification.

In accordance with FAR part 10, extensive market research was conducted to reach this determination. Specifically, contact with knowledgeable individuals both in industry and Government, as well as reviews of available product literature, revealed no other sources. A review of the GSA Advantage, Dynamic Small Business Search, and previous Government acquisitions returned no results that meet all requirements.

Therefore, only Carl Zeiss is found to be capable of meeting the needs of this requirement.

The intended source is:

Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC1 North Broadway, White Plains NY, 10601USA

Salient characteristics:

The Contractor shall supply all replacement parts (good-as-new) to maintain the equipment at OEM specifications. The Contractor shall provide on-site remedial service and maintenance as well as regular scheduled maintenance inspections and adjustments for all subsystems of the scanner. The contractor shall provide technical support and remote diagnostics as well as checks of the system error logs. The Contractor shall provide all necessary documentation, repair parts, spare parts, accessories, maintenance supplies, all special tools, test and support equipment, travel and transportation, personnel skill requirements, and other related services required in performance of maintenance tasks to keep the equipment in good operating condition.

Estimated Period of Performance:

Base year 09/15/2026 - 09/14/2027 Option Year 1 09/15/2027 - 09/14/2028 Option Year 2 09/15/2028 - 09/14/2029 Option Year 3 09/15/2029 - 09/14/2030 Option Year 4 09/15/2030 - 09/14/2031

Place of Performance:

National Institute on Aging (NIA) Intramural Research Program (IRP) Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology (LMBI) 251 Bayview Blvd Baltimore MD 21224

Contract Type:

A firm-fixed price type contract with option periods is planned for this acquisition, consistent with commercial practices.

CLOSING STATEMENT

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE-SOURCE BASIS IS NOT A

REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Unique Entity ID Number (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. FAR clauses 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items and 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items apply to this acquisition.

All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, 75N98026Q00966. Responses must be submitted electronically to Polina Klimenkova, Contracting Officer, at polina.klimenkova@nih.gov.