Nikon Microscope Components, USDA APHIS

USDA APHIS intends to issue a sole source award to NIKON INSTRUMENTS INC for Nikon Microscope Components.
This is NOT a request for quotes or proposals. Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent should be directed to Contract Specialist, Paige Francis, at paige.francis@usda.gov via e-mail only (phone calls/voice mail messages regarding this notice will not be accepted and will not receive a response).

United States Department of Agriculture
Limited Source/Brand Name Justification
FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) – Simplified Acquisitions

1.  Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

1a. Requesting Activity Agency:
USDA, APHIS, PPQ, NIS, RPIP
200 Chestnut Street, Rm 806
Philadelphia, PA 19106

1b. Contracting Activity:
USDA APHIS
250 Marquette Ave, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. Description of supply or service required to meet the agency’s needs.

Nikon SMZ-18 microscope.
3 MNE42710 P2-FIRL-2 LED Ring light, adjustable intensity for 0.5x and 1.0x objectives.
3 MQF52057 AC Adapter; AC Input 100-240V 1.5A 50Hz/60Hz, DC Output12.0V 3.33A Center Negative plug, CE, UL and RoHS Compliant
3 79035 Power Cord 120V, Lead Free, UL Listed, Length 7.5 feet

Nikon Eclipse Ni-U microscope.
2 MBP73325 D-ND6 DIC Sextuple nosepiece, slots for analyzer slider and filter slider
2 MBL99005 NI-CUD Universal Condenser Dry
2 MBH70210 D-C Phase Ring, Module PH-1, Dry, N.A. 0.25-0.5
2 MBH70220 D-C Phase Ring, Module PH-2, Dry, N.A. 0.55-0.95
2 MBH70230 D-C Phase Ring, Module PH-3, Dry, N.A. 1.0-1.4
2 MBH76220 D-C DIC Slider 20x
2 MBH76240 D-C DIC Slider 40x
2 MBH76260 D-C DIC Slider 60x
2 MBH76290 D-C DIC Slider 100x II
2 MBH72310 D-C DIC Condenser Module Type N2
2 MBN74940 D-DP DIC Rotatable Polarizer ¼ wave plate
2 MBN74920 D-DA Analyzer slider for DIC Nosepiece slot

3. The rationale or circumstances for limiting competition.
The Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Remote Pest Identification Program (RPIP) is located within the National Identification Service (NIS). RPIP provides “state of the art” scientific equipment configurations to PPQ identifier and non-identifier at OCONUS and CONUS sites for biological specimen identification in support of PPQ domestic, and Agriculture Quality Inspection (AQI) programs at US ports of entry and emergency program activities. To date, RPIP has fifty-six (56) sites and one hundred fifty (151) configurations in the program.
The ring light & DIC components will be integrated into the scientific equipment configurations, which contain identical microscopes and microscope special-purpose cameras manufactured by Nikon Instruments, Inc.
It is imperative that all configurations are the same for training and continuity purposes. PPQ has an emergency response component within its program activities, so it is vital that strict configuration control is applied to the deployment and maintenance of RPIP scientific equipment configurations. Since all configurations are identical for each supported discipline, identifiers can easily collaborate on identification problems or techniques with other identifiers. RPIP personnel can easily provide biological equipment support as needed at a distance. At any time, a USDA identifier may be required to work at an emergency location that is not their normal duty station and must be able to work without the need to learn a different set-up.
The P-FIRL Led ring light is currently being used by identifiers and needs to be purchased to ensure that all configurations are the same. Nikon Instruments Inc. has exclusive rights and holds patents on this equipment and is the sole manufacturer and licensed distributor of these instruments. The equipment can only be serviced for repair through Nikon Instruments, Inc. and/or a Nikon Instruments authorized service provider.
The P2-FIRL LED ring light and DIC components have the following required characteristics and are needed to take images for digital identification by our National Specialist or SEL in order to carry out duties of AQI programs at ports of entry and with emergency program activities.

a. P2-FIRL LED ring light must be 81mm diameter, episcopic illumination unit that effectively captures images, variable LED control and can be used with the Nikon SMZ18 with the 1x & 0.5x objective lenses.
The DIC components are specifically designed to be used on the SMZ-18 microscope that the identifiers are currently using. The phase components will be taken off the scope and stored to be used if part breakage and DIC components will be installed.

4. A description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.
Limited market research has been conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10. The Government will continue to perform market research to identify products that will meet future requirements.

5. Estimated price, including all options, if applicable: Less than the Simpified Acquisition Threshold ($250,000.00).

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotations. Any party who believes they can perform this requirement should submit a capability statement for consideration by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based on 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.

The government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. A party may identify their interest and submit a capability statement by 5:00 PM ,EDT, August 11, 2025. Responses, including questions about this notice, shall be sent via email to Paige Francis at paige.francis@usda.gov.