Preventive Maintenance and Repair Service Agreement for two Zeiss Merlin Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG SEM) and a Gatan 3View serial block face sectioning device
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 75F40126Q134796
- Agency
-
FDA Office of Acquisition and Grant Services
Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 811210 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Place of performance
- Jefferson, Arkansas 72079, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The FDA Office of Acquisition and Grant Services seeks a one-year preventive maintenance and repair service agreement for two Zeiss Merlin Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopes and one Gatan 3View serial block-face sectioning device, with quotes due July 14, 2026. This is unrestricted full and open competition with no set-aside.
Place of performance is Jefferson, Arkansas 72079 at the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) Building 26, Room A026. The procurement covers two line items: Line Item 1 provides all-inclusive service (labor, travel, and parts) for Zeiss Merlin MRL 40-6054, while Line Item 2 covers labor and travel for Zeiss Merlin MRL 40-4265 and Gatan 3View Serial Number 3V033M, with parts government-furnished. The base performance period runs September 12, 2026, through September 11, 2027. Services require OEM-certified technician support, minimum one preventive maintenance visit per contract year, corrective repair response within 3–5 business days, one Field Emission Gun tip change-out per instrument annually, and access to manufacturer technical call centers staffed by senior engineers. Remote access for diagnostics is not permitted; all troubleshooting and maintenance must be conducted on-site. The current equipment configuration runs SmartSEM 6.05 (10-Apr-19) with Service Pack 7. Repair delays caused by OEM parts availability or manufacturer lead times are permitted provided the contractor obtains on-site technical verification and manufacturer documentation confirming back orders. For MRL 40-6054, repairs exceeding 30 calendar days trigger automatic contract extensions. Award will be made to the lowest priced technically acceptable responsible offeror, evaluated on technical capability, past performance, and price. NAICS code is 811210; PSC code is J066.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
7/7/2026: See questions and answers below.
1. Can the Government provide the current SmartSEM software version and firmware version for each Zeiss Merlin SEM listed in the requirement?
Response: SmartSEM 6.05 (10-Apr-19) with Service Pack 7
2. Can the Government provide any recent service history, maintenance records, or known current issues for each Zeiss Merlin SEM?
Response: See Attached.
3. Is remote access permitted for troubleshooting and diagnostic support? If yes, are there any site-specific requirements or restrictions for remote access?
Response: No. Remote access is not permitted and has not been provided in the history of the instruments.
4. For any repair completion timeframe stated in the requirement, will the Government allow an exception when repair delays are caused by OEM parts availability or manufacturer lead times outside the contractor’s control?
Response: Yes, provided that: (1) a service technician has determined, through an on-site evaluation, that OEM parts require replacement; and (2) the OEM provides documentation confirming that the parts are on back order and subject to a lead time.
5. Does the requirement include support for the Gatan 3View serial block-face device, or is the required coverage limited to the Zeiss Merlin SEM instruments only?
Response: As stated in the solicitation, coverage must include support for the Gatan 3View Serial Block-Face Device. The distinction is that there is no strict repair timeframe for this accessory; best efforts must be made based on parts availability.
6. If the Gatan 3View device is included, can the Government confirm whether it may be serviced directly by Gatan or another separate qualified provider?
Response: To the Government's knowledge, Gatan no longer provides direct service support for the Gatan 3View system and instead licenses or contracts that support to Zeiss directly. The device may be serviced by a qualified vendor.
7. Are software and firmware updates limited to the instrument’s currently licensed software version series, or does the Government expect major software version upgrades to be included?
Response: Updates are expected to be limited to the instrument's current licensed software version series. Major version upgrades are not included.
8. Is a one-time onboarding/site assessment acceptable during the base period to verify instrument condition, document configuration, and capture system backup/inventory information before full service coverage begins?
Response: No. The instruments, including the Gatan 3View system, are currently covered under a service contract and are all operational. The solicitation states on page 14: "Offerors are afforded the opportunity to inspect the existing instruments and site, at their own expense, prior to the date set for receipt of quotes by contacting the Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer identified herein to schedule an appointment. Failure to inspect the instruments/site will not relieve the successful offeror from fully meeting the requirements of the resulting contract at the price offered."
9. Can the Government confirm the quote submission deadline and whether pricing is required for the base period only or for the base period and all option years?
Response: Quotes are due by 1PM Central Time on 7/14/26. There are no option years. Pricing is required for the base period only.
See attached combined synopsis/solicitation.
Update #1 ·
See attached combined synopsis/solicitation.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Service reports.zip | ZIP file | |
| combined synopsis-solicitation 134796.pdf |
Similar open opportunities
| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Agreement | Office of Logisitics and Acquisition Operations | No set-aside | |
| Combined Synopsis Solicitation- Acquire Preventati | Office of Logisitics and Acquisition Operations | No set-aside | |
| Service Agreement | Office of Logisitics and Acquisition Operations | No set-aside | |
| Meridian IV maintenance | Naval Sea Systems Command | No set-aside | |
| Service Contract for Carl Zeiss LSM 900 Confocal Microscope System | Office of Logisitics and Acquisition Operations | No set-aside |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity