Notice of intent to award a sole source edax preventative maintenance

The Naval Supply Systems Command, Department of the Navy, has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to award a sole source contract to EDAX, LLC for preventative maintenance services at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The contract involves annual preventative maintenance for two specialized detectors: an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and an electron backscatter diffractometer (EBSD), along with their supporting hardware and software systems. This opportunity falls under NAICS code 811210 for Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance and PSC code AJ15 for General Science & Technology R&D Services. The notice was posted on July 31, 2025, with responses due by August 6, 2025. The procurement is structured as a sole source award with no set-aside designations applied.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to justify the sole source procurement based on the proprietary nature of EDAX equipment and the specialized technical expertise required for proper maintenance. The government emphasizes that EDAX detectors require qualified EDAX technicians who possess specific experience with the company's proprietary hardware, communications boards, and control software to perform necessary calibrations and software updates. While other manufacturers like Bruker and Oxford Instruments produce similar equipment, their technicians lack the specialized knowledge required for EDAX systems, making cross-compatibility impossible. The government states that inadequate service from unqualified vendors could risk research operations and cause damage to existing equipment that directly supports student and staff development. Contractors interested in challenging this sole source justification have until August 6, 2025, to submit their responses, though eligibility is effectively limited to EDAX, LLC due to the proprietary technical requirements outlined in the justification.