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 75N94025Q00145 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 2025-04. 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. PN: 9FU_LL_STELLARIS_F - PremiumCare for- STELLARIS 8 Confocal Microscope SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (1) EA
2. PN: 9PL_LAS_405 PremiumPlusCare STELLARIS 405 – STELLARIS 8 SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (1) EA
3. PN: 9PL_LAS_WLL8PP PremiumPlusCare WLL - STELLARIS 8 PP SN: 8300000677 – Quantity (1) EA
The following tasks are required for this requirement:
• 1 annual preventative maintenance visit • 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
• 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.
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, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) (Deviation Feb 2025) with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Jan 2025)(Deviation Feb 2025); FAR Clause 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Jan 2025)(Deviation Feb 2025) – Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. The offeror must include their Unique Entity ID (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. Note: The contractor/offeror must provide a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with the service specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov. Responses to this solicitation must include enough information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing all products and services needed. Responses must be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. 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 not be considered as valid. Quotations will be due on July 25, 2025, before 5:00 pm eastern daylight time via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov. Attn: Tina Robinson. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number 75N94025Q00145. 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# 75N94025Q00145 in the subject line of email. Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must have an active registration for all awards in the SAM database @www.sam.gov. Note: “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 agency solicitations, including 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals— Representation, and paragraph (t) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Agencies will not consider or use these representations. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.”
