Maintenance service contract for two (2) Zeiss Axioscan Automated Slide Scanner systems

SAM ANNOUNCEMENT:

PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT ACTION CODE:

SPECIAL NOTICE CLASSIFICATION CODE:

J066 – Maintenance Instruments and Laboratory Equipment SUBJECT: Maintenance service contract for two (2) Zeiss Axioscan Automated Slide Scanner systems SOLICITATION NUMBER:

NB643020-24-01697 RESPONSE DATE:

05/28/2024 DESCRIPTION: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Carl Zeiss,, located in White Plains, NY to provide maintenance services covering the NIST owned Axioscan Automated Slide Scanner systems.

The general mission of the Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD) of the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is to provide research, reference materials, and data to support accurate and selective analysis of microscopic particles and surfaces including the spatial distribution of chemical species relevant to industrial, environmental, and biological processes.

The requirement is for the maintenance of the two (2) existing Zeiss Axioscan automated microscopy slide scanner systems. Un-interrupted and proper functioning of both scanners are critical to MMSD’s ability to continue the externally funded development work. Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Zeiss Axioscan automated slide scanner systems are highly engineered and complex equipment that must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer (Zeiss)'s specifications by factory trained service engineers. Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC is the only vendor authorized to provide comprehensive service and support under service agreements for ZEISS Axioscan instruments. Software and firmware updates are provided through the service engineers.

Because the software is intimately tied to the scanner system performance, each software update requires service engineer to perform calibration and performance tests. Service manuals are provided to the service engineers and are not available for customers. Specifically, all service level functions including the calibration and performance testing utilities are only accessible to Zeiss service engineers. Zeiss does not have authorized service partners or resellers.

NAICS code for this requirement will be 811210 – Other Electronic and Precision Repair and Maintenance with a small business size of 22.0M No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by will be considered by the Government.

Inquiry POCs Erik.Fycklund@nist.gov Primary Donald.Graham@nist.gov Secondary National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD) 100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640 Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640