Notice of Intent to Sole Source Hitachi

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) intends to award a sole source contract for a preventative maintenance service for the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and AMICS (Automated Material Identification and Classification System) software to Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. This notice is issued in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 12.102(a), which specifies that Part 12 acquisition procedures apply to commercial products and services and shall take precedence where inconsistencies exist with other FAR parts.
USGS Energy, & Minerals (GEM) Laboratory in Reston, requires a firm-fixed-price service contract for the government owned fully automated electron beam variable pressure field emission electron scanning microscope (FE-SEM) which specifically includes an advanced mineralogy software called AMICS (Automated Material Identification and Classification System).
The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) is made solely by Hitachi. Only Hitachi-certified service engineers have access to proprietary diagnostic tools, replacement components, vacuum system calibration protocols, and electron-optical alignment procedures required to maintain the instrument¿s performance specifications. Using non-OEM providers would risk voiding warranty, compromise instrument performance, and invalidating critical calibration benchmarks.
AMICS (Automated Material Identification and Classification System) is a proprietary software suite tightly integrated with Hitachi¿s FE SEM platforms. Hitachi holds exclusive rights to the software¿s source code, calibration data, system schematics, and classification algorithms. Only Hitachi service engineers¿and not third-party vendors¿possess the software access, system interface know-how, and version-controlled updates necessary for reliable maintenance
This procurement is being conducted under commercial acquisition procedures per RFO 12.102(a), as the services required meet the definition of commercial services under FAR 2.101.
The NAICS code is 811210 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance. The size standard $34.0 million
Period of Performance: One year and one option period
Place of Performance: Reston, VA
Anticipated award date: 9/1/2026
This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. However, interested parties may submit capability statements demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of FE-SEM and AMICS and the specialized maintenance required to ensure continued functionality. Capability statements must be submitted by the date and time specified in this notice and must contain sufficient detail to permit Government review and consideration. Responses shall be emailed to: mindie_dixon@ios.doi.gov.