Notice of Intent to Negotiate a Sole-Source Contract - Leica Microsystems M80 Microscopes and peripherals -NMFS

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service; Alaska Fisheries Science Center, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); with J.H. Technologies (an authorized Leica distributor), for the procurement of three (3) Leica Microsystems M80 microscope systems and peripherals. Researchers with AFSC’s Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management Division utilize stereo microscopes for inspection of fish tissues for determining age classes and changes to growth and development of fish species as a result of environmental changes. The division currently uses Leica M80 stereo microscope systems and Leica LAS imaging software to accurately capture and store finely-detailed images of specimens.

Sole Source Justification

The sole source determination is based on NMFS research projects which are designed to target critical environmental factors which affect marine organism survivability, lifespan, and behaviors. The research will compare fish specimens from several animals captured in various areas of the Bering and Chukchi seas. Differences noted will be documented along with recordable marine environment conditions of the time to facilitate research looking at marine organism development in changing conditions. Researchers need resolution as high as 3072x2048 when imaging structures like fish Otoliths.

Special Notice

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment or service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses can be sent via e-mail to jason.jenks@noaa.gov.  A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with this notice, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1600 PM PDT on Sep 09, 2025.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Incomplete statements do not warrant consideration. Phone calls in regard to this notice will not be accepted.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: ACQ-SAP25SAT-25-0960
Project Title: NOAA NMFS REFM Leica Microsystems M80 Microscopes and Components package FY25

NMFS’s AFSC Operations, Management, and Information Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company unless registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a valid Tax ID number, Cage Code, and obtain a government-provided Unique Entity Identifier, which is available through SAM.gov.