This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is 75N94026Q00037 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-06. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 811210 and the business size standard is $34m. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intends to contract on a sole source basis with Leica Microsystems - 10 parkway North Suit 300 – Deerfield, IL 60015 to procure a One-Year Service PremiumCare/PremiumPlusCare agreement for the following Leica microscope and components:
1. PremiumCare for- STELLARIS 8 Confocal Microscope
Equipment# 13335605 SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (1) EA
2. PremiumPlusCare - STELLARIS 405 – STELLARIS 8
Equipment# 13335605 SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (1) EA
3. PremiumPlusCare - STELLARIS 8 PP
Equipment# 13335605 SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (1) EA
4. PremiumPlusCare - STELLARIS 775 STED
Equipment# 13335605 SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (2) EA
The following tasks are required for this requirement:
• 1 annual preventative maintenance visit(PM)
• Unlimited on-site repairs, including replacement for service parts, components, or modules necessary for repairs (excluding calibration plate, light sources and peripherals, unless quoted separately)
• Prioritized on-site response time for remedial services (critical repairs)
• Unlimited access to Leica OneCall Technical Support Center (standard working hours)
• 2-hour telephone call back from Leica OneCall
• Unlimited access to Remote Services (RemoteCare proactive monitoring)
• Firmware and software updates when available (excluding software upgrades and Windows upgrades)
• All services are performed by factory-trained and certified Field Service Engineers with genuine Leica Microsystems parts to meet the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.
Period of Performance: July 29, 2026 – July 28, 2027.
BACKGROUND
This maintenance contract is essential for the operation of the Leica Stellaris dual confocal/STED microscope system, which is used extensively institute-wide for high-resolution scientific imaging of
whole zebrafish embryos, human ovarian tissue, single chromosomes in fruit flies, and much more. Apart from our Lab, the microscope is also highly used by multiple other labs within NICHD.
Leica Microsystems Inc. is a distributor of all Leica Microsystems Microscopes and Instruments for the U.S. Authorized service on these microscopes/instruments is only available directly through Leica’s service organization and Authorized Service Partners which are defined as partners certified and trained by Leica Microsystems. Leica's manufacturer-trained service engineers and partners are factory certified to repair and provide unmatched knowledge of Leica Microsystems microscopes and instruments. If non-authorized service is provided, all manufacturer warranties will be nullified. Should Leica Microsystems equipment be serviced by a non-authorized party, all warranties and agreements related to instrument performance would be null and void. We consider ourselves and our Authorized Service Partners to be the only source capable of providing the level of expertise necessary to maintain Leica Microsystem’s highly specialized instruments across their intended lifespans. As the U.S. commercial unit of the equipment manufacturer, our employees have completed all the manufacturer’s required trainings to provide specialized service on your equipment. We also are the only party in the U.S. with admin access to Leica Microsystem’s proprietary software that enables us to provide the required support on these devices. Other (non-Leica) service providers cannot deliver to the same level of service on your Leica Microsystems equipment as Leica Microsystems certified engineers and partners
The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of the 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302. This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, Authorized Service Partners must provide signed documentation confirming authorization and certified capability from Leica Microsystems to provide all services and products, maintain all existing warranties, etc. identified in this notice. Responses to this notice without this confirmation from the manufacturer will be considered invalid.
The offeror/response must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Applicable Clauses: 52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions
52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements—Representation
52.204-7 System for Award Management—Registration
52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions—Representations and Certifications
52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights
52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements
52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel
52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations
52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns
52.222-3 Convict Labor
52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities
52.222-48 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Certification
52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons
52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services
52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management
52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors
52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim
52.233-3 Protest after Award
52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions
52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services
The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/.
Quotations will be due on January 30, 2026, before 1:00 pm eastern daylight time via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov. Attn: Tina Robinson. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number 75N94026Q00037. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov and must include solicitation# 75N94026Q00037 in the subject line of email.
“System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offerors based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.”
In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered as all awards and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) @ www.Sam.gov. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award. FAR Clause: An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation.
