Tecnai 12 T12 Electron Microscopy System Annual Service Contract

PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE **NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOI-NIAID-24-2231503 NAICS – 811210 This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with FEI Company, an entity of Thermo Fisher Scientific procure an annual service/maintenance agreement for a Tecnai 12 T12 Electron Microscopy System TEM Service Contract: 9432 050 18101 / D1153 / F1040183.

POP: 08/15/2024 – 08/14/2025 The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Laboratory of Infectious Disease (LID), Structural Informatics Unit (SIU) focuses research on the structural biology of viruses and vaccine particles studies the structure of influenza viruses complexed with antibodies by electron microscopy in which biological samples are applied to small discs called EM grids. These grids must be imaged in an electron microscope.

For this research, the unit requires the renewal of a service maintenance agreement with FEI Company for the Tecnai T12 microscope system. FEI Company is both the manufacturer and distributor of the highly sophisticated science equipment who will be able to provide the original parts for various replacements if needed. In addition, they can also have trained technicians to troubleshoot problems with expertise knowledge.

The Tecnai T12 TEM microscope and software consists of a method to capture a series of images, from a tissue specimen mounted on a glass microscope slide, in order to create an image data file from which is produced a virtual image capable of being analyzed on a computer as if using a microscope.

Digital images, from histopathology glass slides, permit archiving, searching, shared viewing for consultations, quantitative image analysis, remotely or on any desktop Image files are managed using instrument software so that they can be stored, recalled, shared & annotated. The technology will permit improved interactions between multiple pathology activities within NIAID, including Comparative Medicine Branch and the Vaccine Research Center.

Instrumentation is required that will be fully functional with pre-existing instruments located in other laboratories within the institution. The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement.

All required documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov by August 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm ET. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit their documentation. Instructions on how to register /submit documents are included on the website. All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.