AA11--Axio Scan Z1 Protection Plan Extended Warranty

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 6 (VA VHA VISN 6) has issued a Special Notice for a sole-source procurement related to a Zeiss Protection Plan Extended Warranty. The notice pertains to a one-year maintenance contract for Carl Zeiss Axio Scan Z1 scanning microscope systems and associated hardware/software located at the Durham VA Health Care System in Durham, North Carolina. The procurement will be conducted under the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance NAICS category (811210) with a size standard of $34 million. The VA Network Contracting Office 6 intends to award the contract directly to Carl Zeiss, Inc., as the exclusive manufacturer of the proprietary equipment. This procurement will utilize simplified acquisition procedures authorized under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b).

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to secure a maintenance and extended warranty service for specialized microscope systems at the VA facility. Interested contractors may submit quotations via email to Ronnie.Gregory@va.gov, with the specific subject line "Carl Zeiss Protection Plan" by the deadline of 3:00 p.m. EST on May 2, 2025. While the notice indicates a sole-source intention favoring Carl Zeiss, Inc., the government will still consider any received quotations and retains full discretion over the procurement process. Eligibility is effectively limited, as the government has determined that Carl Zeiss, Inc. is the only qualified provider due to their status as the original equipment manufacturer with proprietary parts. The contract will cover a one-year service period for maintaining and providing extended warranty coverage for the Axio Scan Z1 scanning microscope systems. Potential respondents should carefully review the notice's requirements and understand that submission does not guarantee contract award.