Evident/Olympus VS200 Whole Slide Imager Service

The United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service is seeking a small business contractor to provide service and maintenance for an Evident/Olympus VS200 Whole Slide Imager system located at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. The solicitation (No. 12505B25Q0022) requires a contractor capable of performing one annual preventive maintenance visit and providing unlimited emergency maintenance visits for the brightfield and fluorescent imaging system. Quotes must be submitted electronically to Tiffany Reval at tiffany.reval@usda.gov no later than December 10, 2024 at 11:00 PM ET, with required documentation including a completed SF1449 form and FAR 52.212-3 provision. The contract will cover maintenance of 14 major system components, with a mandatory 48-hour emergency response time and unlimited telephone support using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and trained technical personnel. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, the solicitation implies a focus on technical capability, responsiveness, and compliance with service requirements.

The contract is designated as a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), with a size standard of under 1,000 employees. The service contract will have a base year from February 8, 2025 to February 7, 2026, with four potential option years extending the contract through February 7, 2030. Contractors must provide government-issued photo identification for facility access and perform services at the USDA location at 1920 Dayton Avenue in Ames, Iowa. The wage determination for this contract in Story County, Iowa, establishes minimum hourly rates and benefits for service workers. While a specific award value is not mentioned, the contract requires maintenance of a complex imaging system with specific technical requirements, suggesting a specialized service contract. Contractors must also certify that their services will not void the original equipment manufacturer's warranty, which expires on February 8, 2025.