Notice of Intent for Zeiss SEM-XB Workstation Upgrade Kit
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- POTS-25-003692
- Agency
-
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- PSC
- 6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
- Place of performance
- Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Health's National Eye Institute, Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, has issued a Notice of Intent to award a sole source contract to Carl Zeiss, Inc. for an Upgrade Kit SEM/XB Workstation and associated installation services. This notice, posted on September 22, 2025 with a due date of September 26, 2025, falls under the Department of Health and Human Services and pertains to laboratory equipment classified under NAICS code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The procurement will be conducted under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The work will be performed at the NIH facility in Bethesda, Maryland, specifically for the Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section. This is strictly an informational notice, not a request for quotations, and no solicitation will be issued.
The purpose of this notice is to inform the contracting community of the agency's intent to upgrade existing scanning electron microscope equipment to maintain research continuity and protect prior infrastructure investments. The sole source justification centers on Zeiss's exclusive control over proprietary components, firmware, calibration protocols, and certified installation support necessary for the SEM system. The agency emphasizes that using alternative suppliers would void existing warranties, compromise system reliability, and invalidate the current maintenance agreement with Zeiss. No contractors are eligible to compete for this opportunity as it is designated as a sole source acquisition to the original equipment manufacturer. The upgrade kit procurement includes delivery, installation, configuration, and calibration services to ensure the upgraded components integrate seamlessly with the existing research infrastructure and maintain validated performance standards.
Notice text
NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) – Carl Zeiss , Inc
Product Service Code (PSC): 6640
NAICS Code: 334516
Place of Performance: Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
POTS Number: 25-003692
Description
Description
This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for quotation. No solicitation will be issued, and no quotations will be requested.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Eye Institute (NEI), Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch (OGVFB), Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section (OSCTRS) intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract to Carl Zeiss, Inc, 1 N Broadway, Ste. 1501, White Plains, New York 10601 for the purpose of purchasing an Upgrade Kit SEM/XB Workstation and installation charges. Zeiss is the manufacturer of the Scanning Electron Microscope and because it is currently under a maintenance agreement, any other provider would invalidate that agreement.
This request is for the purchase of equipment and services which includes delivery, installation, and any required configuration or calibration of the upgraded components in at the NEI, OSCTRS.
Justification for Sole Source
Zeiss maintains exclusive control over the design and supply of components specific to their SEM systems. OEM parts are not available through resellers. Zeiss is the only source for the proprietary firmware, calibration protocols, and certified installation support necessary to maintain the instrument’s validated performance. Use of alternative suppliers would void warranties and could compromise system reliability and precision. Moreover, the continuity provided by this upgrade ensures uninterrupted research workflows and protects previous investments made in high-value imaging infrastructure.
Authority
This acquisition is being conducted under the policies of FAR Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures, Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1). For purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from a single source if determined that only one source is reasonably available. Contracts awarded under FAR Part 13 are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6 (Competition Requirements).
Submission of Capability Statements
Interested parties capable of providing the same or similar products or services must submit a Capability Statement electronically. Responses will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.
Deadline: September 26, 2025, at 6:30 AM EST
Submit to:
Leah Hinson
Contract Specialist
Office of Acquisition Management Services
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Leah.hinson@hhs.gov
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