A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBAcertified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources.
Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted.
Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.
The ARS Acquisitions seeks to determine the availability and capability of potential small businesses to include socio-economic set-aside qualified businesses for the project below. The Government anticipates a competitive method of procurement. The information received resulting from this market research will be considered solely for the purpose of determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is appropriate.
Project Information: The Government is seeking information from qualified and experienced contractors capable of completing projects similar in scope and magnitude to the project described below. Contractors must demonstrate their ability to perform this requirement as described below.
Place of Performance: Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC), 430 West Health Sciences Drive One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Anticipated Solicitation Release Date: July 10, 2025
Estimated Period of Performance: Base plus three option years, (07/31/2025-08/01/2029)
Project Description: Maintenance and service agreement for Roche c303 chemistry analyzer Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC), 430 West Health Sciences Drive One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 has a Roche Cobas Pure c303 (Serial# 7312-04) a fully automated photometric clinical chemistry analyzer capable of testing a large array of quantitative in vitro tests. The c303 is utilized by WHNRC scientists and laboratory technicians on a weekly basis. To ensure research integrity and continuity, this clinical instrument must be kept in workable condition. Also, the c303 relies on an internet connection to Roche for lot number confirmation for quality control and calibration materials, solutions, and test reagents used for daily maintenance and test runs and remote system diagnosis, repair, and monitoring; however, USDA/ARS does not permit connection of analytical instruments to the internet. Therefore, a service technician must travel on-site to manually configure the software to accept new lot numbers as necessary as well as to monitor and diagnose the instrument. Failure of the instrument to recognize new lot numbers on reagents prohibits the function of this instrument. WHNRC is seeking an authorized contractor to maintain the Roche Cobas Pure c303.
The maintenance and service agreement must include the following:
1. Telephone as well as on-site field technical support by factory trained and authorized service engineers/specialists.
2. Unlimited on-site software and operational updates and configuration, as necessary, since the c 303 is not networked for downloads due to security reasons.
3. Replacement OEM parts due to normal wear and labor and time costs shall be covered.
4. Two preventative maintenance visits per year shall cover cleaning internal and external parts of the instrument and performing system checks and tests.
5. Set up a mutually agreed date and time for service visits.
NAICS Code: 811210- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Size standards in millions of dollars $34.0
Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business.
Responses should be submitted by 5 pm PST on 07/03/2025 to the attention of Maria Thomas at Maria.Thomas@usda.gov.
Questions should be directed to Maria Thomas at Maria.Thomas@usda.gov
