Leica Microsystems silver maintenance plan

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services has issued a Special Notice regarding a sole source maintenance contract for Leica Microsystems equipment. The notice announces the agency's intent to award a maintenance contract to Leica Microsystems Inc. for their Aperio GT 450 Next Generation Scanner and SAM server located at the Foreign Animal Diagnostic Disease Laboratory (FADDL). The contract has an estimated value of $34,937.88 and covers annual preventative maintenance, on-site repairs, update installations, and support services. The agency has provided a signed justification for the sole source procurement as an attachment to the notice. This Special Notice was posted on June 13, 2025, with responses due by July 13, 2025.

The purpose of this sole source procurement is to ensure continuous operation of critical diagnostic equipment used for pathologic characterization of viral pathogens and rapid response to foreign animal disease outbreaks. The justification cites FAR 6.302-1, indicating that Leica Microsystems is the sole manufacturer and only company trained to maintain this specialized equipment, which can scan up to 81 slides per hour at 400x magnification. Market research confirmed that no other sources could provide the required maintenance services due to proprietary software and specialized training requirements. The equipment supports diagnostic missions for both USDA and international partners, making reliable maintenance essential for operational continuity. Since this is a sole source notice rather than a competitive solicitation, there are no eligibility criteria for other contractors to participate, as the agency has determined that only Leica Microsystems can fulfill the maintenance requirements. The contract is scheduled to be signed on June 13, 2025, by the Contracting Officer and a Veterinary Medical Officer.