Zeiss LSM 980 confocal microscope equipped with Airyscan maintenance

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a sub-agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a Special Notice for manufacturer-authorized service and maintenance of a Zeiss LSM 980 confocal microscope equipped with Airyscan 2. The government intends to conduct a sole-source procurement under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) authority with Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, the original equipment manufacturer located in White Plains, New York. This Special Notice was posted on March 9, 2026, and represents the government's intent to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order for comprehensive microscope maintenance and support services. The acquisition falls under NAICS Code 811210 (Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance) and PSC Code J066 (Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment). Interested parties have the opportunity to submit capability statements demonstrating their qualifications before the government makes a final award determination.

The scope of work encompasses diagnostic evaluation, repair, calibration, proprietary software updates, and replacement of original equipment manufacturer components necessary to restore and maintain full operational capability according to original manufacturer specifications. Interested contractors must submit capability statements by March 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST via email to Contracting Officer Michael Gemmill at michael.gemmill@hhs.gov, with the submission deadline serving as a critical cutoff for consideration. To be eligible, contractors must demonstrate the ability to provide OEM-certified service, proprietary diagnostic tools, software and firmware updates, and genuine replacement parts compatible with the specified equipment, and they must maintain active registration in SAM.gov. The period of performance is two weeks after receipt of order, with Requisition Number 7332015. The government has reserved the right to determine whether to compete the acquisition based on the quality and substance of responses received from interested parties.