Notice of Intent to Sole Source Bond Service Agreement Maintenace

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to LEICA MICROSYSTEMS INC. The Bond-RX system enables automated IHC and RNAscope staining for the Comparative & Molecular Pathogenesis Branch (CMPB) IHC Core. The requested maintenance will help to maximize performance of the instrument by proactively addressing potential issues during yearly site visits from an experienced field engineer including priority response to service calls.

This plan minimizes instrument downtime by utilizing factory-trained and qualified engineers to accurately diagnose and resolve system problems, ensuring the CMPB staff work at full capacity. The Comparative & Molecular Pathogenesis Branch (CMPB) IHC core laboratory utilizes the Leica Bond RX. The Service Agreement includes one preventative maintenance visit per year and all repairs, parts, and travel.

The Service Agreement provides Technical Support - Phone, Email, and Web, 100% Service labor and travel included, 100% Certified OEM Replacement repair parts included, Priority service scheduling, Planned maintenance inspections, and Reliability Updates. This instrument is highly specialized processing module for IHC and IHS staining, and Leica is the manufacturer of the instrument. The contract will include technical support for not only repairs but the proper use of the equipment.

Due to the highly specialized nature of this equipment, we’ll require technical support as we developnew staining techniques in our laboratory. Only service by the manufacturer is accepted for the instrument because the system is unique and allows for 5 processing modules at once. Leica service agreements include Factory ReliabilityUpdates, onsite certified engineers and priority scheduling.

This instrument is under our CLIA and QMS system and using other vendors for service would require us to perform multiple validations which would put an undue financial and time burden on our lab. This contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at qsx@cdc.gov by COB 5pm March 2, 2024.