Notice of intent

Added: Jun 27, 2018 9:22 am

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Carl Zeiss Microscopy for a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope, for the Engineering Laboratory, Materials and Structural Systems Division at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The Engineering Laboratory, Materials and Structural Systems Division serves as the world-class resource for developing and promoting the use of science-based tools - measurements, data, models, protocols, and reference standards - to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. industry through innovations in building materials and construction technology; and the safety, security, and sustainability of the nation's buildings and physical infrastructure.

The Polymeric Materials Group of the Materials and Structural Systems Division has a requirement for a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM-LSM800).

The required system is an upgrade to an existing laser scanning confocal microscope to replace the existing aging scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) LSM510 Meta instrument. The LSCM system is a vital technique for measuring surface/subsurface morphology, 3 dimensional (3D) microstructure, and fluorescence using multiple laser lines. The LSCM instrument is the key instrument and is heavily used for many projects (internal and external collaborations, OA, consortia) in the Polymeric Materials Group (PMG). The current instrument was manufactured in 2008 and purchased in 2009. The manufacturer (Carl Zeiss) has stopped the production of LSM510 series around 2010 and no longer provides service contract support (no software upgrade either) since 2016. Replacement parts to this old LSM have been discontinued.

Therefore, it is vital to purchase a new LSCM to allow for uninterrupted continuation of services and projects.

Compatibility of the new confocal microscope system to our old system in the aspect of hardware and software is crucial. Only Carl Zeiss Microscopy's LSCM is fully compatible with the current hardware and software, due to the proprietary nature of the instrument design and operation.

Carl Zeiss Microscopy is the sole manufacturer, and sells directly to customers. No other systems in the market were identified as being compatible with the existing hardware and software.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition 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.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, responses received by July 9, 2018 will be considered by the Government.