Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Ongoing Preventative Maintenance Service

The National Institutes of Health, Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract for ongoing preventative maintenance services on the MA900 cell sorter system under solicitation number PCA-NCI-00670. The procuring agency justifies sole sourcing to Sony Biotechnology Inc. based on the company's exclusive status as the manufacturer and only authorized provider capable of maintaining this specialized equipment, as Sony controls all replacement parts distribution, proprietary software, and specialized operating systems. Only Sony's factory-trained Field Service Engineers are authorized to perform preventative maintenance, instrument repairs, software upgrades, and parts replacement, with non-authorized contractors risking irreparable damage to the equipment. While this is a sole-source procurement, small businesses including 8(a) firms, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses may submit written capability statements to challenge the sole-source justification by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, March 23, 2026, to david.shen@nih.gov, with award anticipated approximately five days after the notice date unless the Government determines another organization possesses the required capability.

The contract involves no set-aside designations and identifies Sony Biotechnology Inc. (UEI: DQF2MP5BTAW7) as the intended sole-source awardee. The contract structure establishes a base period of performance from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, followed by four one-year option periods extending through June 30, 2031, providing the government with a total potential contract duration of five years. The procurement falls under NAICS category 811210 (Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance) and PSC category J066 (Maint/Repair/Rebuild Of Equipment-Instruments and Laboratory Equipment). While no specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the available documentation, the five-year contract structure with base and option periods suggests a multi-year commitment to maintaining critical laboratory equipment at the National Institutes of Health.