Smith's Detection X ray machine maintenance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to award a noncompetitive, firm fixed-price contract to Smiths Detection for preventative X-ray machine maintenance and repair services. The contract specifically covers maintenance for a HI-Scan 180180is Pro X-ray scanner located at the NBAF facility in Manhattan, Kansas. The procurement will be executed under FAR 6.302-1, which allows for a sole-source acquisition when services are available from only one responsible qualified source. The total estimated contract value is $335,000, covering one base year and four potential option years. The agency has determined that Smiths Detection is the exclusive manufacturer and service provider for this proprietary equipment.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to secure specialized maintenance services for a critical X-ray scanning system that the USDA has invested significant resources in acquiring. The contracting officer will evaluate price reasonableness using historical pricing data from previous USDA APHIS service purchases. Smiths Detection was selected due to their unique position as the original equipment manufacturer, providing direct access to top technical support technicians who developed the equipment. Market research conducted through GSA Advantage and local business searches confirmed no alternative certified service providers exist for this specific X-ray system. The opportunity is not set aside for any specific small business category, and the solicitation was posted on February 18, 2025, with responses due by March 17, 2025. Potential contractors should note the noncompetitive nature of this procurement and the specific statutory authority under which it is being conducted.