Sole Source Justification for Nikon SMZ-18 Microscopes and associated components

The Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Departmental Management issued a sole-source justification supporting a Firm Fixed-Price contract with Nikon Instruments Inc. for Nikon SMZ-18 Microscopes and associated components, with no response deadline stated in the notice.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine division, seeks 13 stereo microscopes with LED ringlights, 163 color camera systems, 4 compound microscopes, 6 software packages, 422 software upgrades, 200 LED lamphouse upgrades, 185 trinocular head upgrades, and 11 DIC components (requisition 1171080). The acquisition exceeds the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and is projected to cost between $900,000 and $20 million.

The justification asserts that Nikon is the sole source capable of meeting the Remote Pest Identification Program's requirements. The program operates 56 sites with 150 equipment configurations requiring identical gear for training, emergency response continuity, and interoperability among pest identifiers. Nikon holds exclusive patents on the specified equipment, provides proprietary support and training unavailable from competitors, and operates as the sole authorized servicer. The Contracting Officer determined GSA Schedule pricing to be fair and reasonable; the Competition Advocate approved the sole-source authority under GSAM 538.7104-3(b)(ii). The contract will be awarded under GSA Federal Supply Schedule using FAR Part 8 procedures.