License, Maintenance and Support for a Government owned Leica Microsystems AT2 ScanScope Digital Slide Scanner, Image Analysis Software Toolbox, and Database

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics (LCBG), Molecular Pathology Unit plans to procure, on a sole source basis, a service contract for the license, maintenance and support of a Government - owned Leica Microsystems AT2 ScanScope Digital Slide Scanner, Image Analysis Software Toolbox, and Database.

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) and 13.501-(a)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System code is 811219 and the business size standard is $20.5 Million.

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. The period of performance shall consist of one twelve (12) month base period, plus three (3) 12-month option periods as follows:

Base Period: September 29, 2015 - September 28, 2016
Option Period 1: September 29, 2016 - September 28, 2017
Option Period 2: September 29, 2017 - September 28, 2018
Option Period 3: September 29, 2018 - September 28, 2019

It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. This contract is a renewal of an ongoing service contract for this instrument.

The instrument is used to acquire digital research pathology data and data analysis, by providing a means to digitize images from histology tissue sections, allowing for telepathology, data base archiving and computer-assisted image analysis. The instrumentation includes a Government-owned Leica AT2 ScanScope, eSlide database and Image Analysis Tool Box of analysis software.

The Contractor shall provide all labor, replacement parts, equipment and travel expenses associated with providing preventive maintenance for the existing Government-owned instrument. All maintenance services shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's standard commercial maintenance practices.

Specifically, the Contractor shall:

1. Perform one (1) preventive maintenance inspection during the contract
    period. Service shall be performed by trained, technically-qualified
    personnel. Service shall consist of evaluation of hardware, calibration,
    alignment, cleaning and part replacement if necessary, and installation of
    software updates in accordance with the manufacturer's latest established
    service procedures.

2. Provide unlimited on-site repair service visit shall be provided during the
    term of this contract at no additional cost to the Government. Items
    included under this agreement are the AT2 ScanScope scanning system,
    hardware, and software and firmware updates.

3. Provide phone and email technical support (available 6pm Sunday through
    8pm Friday EST).

4. Provide emergency repair services, as needed, between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Monday through Friday EST, excluding Federal holidays. Response times for
    onsite repairs shall be within 5 business days.

REPLACEMENT PARTS
The Contractor shall furnish all required replacement parts at no additional cost to the Government, for systems under extended warranty. Parts shall be new or remanufactured to original equipment specifications.

SOFTWARE UPDATES/SERVICE
The Contractor shall provide Software Service in accordance with the manufacturer's latest established service procedures, to include telephone access to technical support for use of program software and trouble shooting of the operating systems, at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall receive advance approval for the installation of all software updates/upgrades and revisions from the Government. Defective software shall be replaced at no additional cost to the Government.

SERVICE EXCLUSIONS
The contractor shall not be responsible for consumable items (video printers, film recorders, printers, etc.), or mass storage devices.

In 2014, the LCBG purchased a new digital slide scanner, the AT2 ScanScope, with a one-year warranty ending September 28, 2015. The LCBG needs to maintain maintenance coverage for the Analysis Tool Box, licensure and eSlide database. LCBG is seeking a renewal agreement to cover the instrument (AT2) as well as the Analysis Tool Box, licensure and eSlide database.

The supplier for the service contract is the original manufacturer of the instrument and owner of the site license for the system software. Due to the nature and complexity of the instrument, operating system specifications, and data-base, only the manufacturer can perform this service. Only Leica Microsystems can provide original parts and updated software that are essential for the operation of the instrument. Actual use of the instrument in research requires original manufacturer specifications to be consistently maintained in order for data obtained using the instrument to be verifiable and consistent. An annual service contract provides software updates and routine maintenance. This protects from irregular repair visits whenever the system malfunctions and ensures updates with the latest analysis software. Therefore, the contract is crucial in order to ensure reliability and currency of the instrument. Without this vendor, instrument support, and software, the instrument cannot be maintained in operation.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party, especially small business, believes it can meet the above requirement, a capability statement, proposal, or quotation must be submitted and will be considered by the agency. The responses and any other information furnished must be typewritten and must contain information and material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine whether the party can fully meet NCI's requirement. Responses must be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Megan Kisamore, at Megan.Kisamore@nih.gov, no later than 11:00 am EST on Friday, August 14, 2015. Responses will not be accepted after the due date. 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. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, Contractors must have a valid registration in Sam.gov including certification in the Central Contractor Registration and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number N02RC52678-85 on all correspondence.