ZEISS AURIGA 40 CrossBeam Workstation Field Emission Focused Ion Beam (FE-FIB) Electron Microscope Service Agreement

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. FURTHER, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

This is a Sources Sought Notice (PUR-18-0116) with the intent to award a sole source purchase order to Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC (Zeiss), under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 based on their unique technical qualifications as the only known company authorized to provide a service agreement for one (1) Zeiss AURIGA Crossbeam Focused Ion Beam (FE-FIB) electron microscope. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) knows of no other sources for this requirement. Notice is provided as information to the marketplace, market research, and is an invitation for any other qualified companies to express their interest in and demonstrate their capability to provide the required work.

The NTSB is an independent Federal agency with the primary missions of investigating civil aviation accidents in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation -- railroad, highway, marine and pipeline -- and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a requirement to purchase a service agreement for one (1) Zeiss AURIGA Crossbeam Focused Ion Beam (FE-FIB) electron microscope. A service agreement is required to provide rapid response to keep the system operational, perform preventative maintenance service, and to provide certified replacement non-consumable parts, software updates, and notifications. The existing maintenance agreement for the electron microscope expires on March 31, 2018. This proposed purchase order is for a service agreement for the electron microscope and will be effective for twelve (12) months from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.

The decision to award a sole source order is based on the fact that Zeiss is the manufacturer of the FE-FIB electron microscope and is the only known company authorized to provide the personnel to perform preventative maintenance service, and to provide certified replacement non-consumable parts, software updates, and notifications to maintain the electron microscope. 

Sources capable of fully satisfying the above requirements are invited to submit capability statements/expressions of interest providing the Government the necessary information to determine actual capability. At a minimum, this information, which must be prepared specifically in response to this notice should, must include: (1) identification of company or organization; (2) an assertion of existing, full capability to meet proposed requirements; (3) business/contracts/marketing office point(s) of contact; (4) notification of business size and /or special status; and (5) any additional information that may be useful to the successful procurement of the requirements, if solicited. These expressions of interest shall adhere to a five (5)-page submission limit plus web links and any specialized product descriptions. The statement of qualifications should include only information that clearly demonstrates the respondent's capabilities, expertise, and experience to provide the requirements described in this notice. General marketing material should not be included. The NTSB prefers that companies do not submit proprietary material. However, the Government recognizes that proprietary data may be a part of your submittal. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by NTSB. Parties must submit information within seven (7) days of publication of this notice. NTSB will not return capability statements and the supporting documentation submitted in response to this notice. Telephone responses and inquiries will not be accepted. You may email questions regarding this notice to the issuing office to Bryan J. Moy via email at: bryan.moy@ntsb.gov.