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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 75N95023000320 TITLE: Maintenance Service Agreement for a Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 with Apotome CLASSIFICATION CODE: J066 - MAINT/REPAIR/REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT-INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATOR... SOLICITATION NUMBER: 75N95023000320 TITLE: Maintenance Service Agreement for a Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 with Apotome CLASSIFICATION CODE: J066 - MAINT/REPAIR/REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT-INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT NAICS CODE: 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance RESPONSE DATE: 12/19/2022 PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Shivani Patel, Contracts Specialist NINDS Contracts Management Branch, NIDA Shivani.patel@nih.gov DESCRIPTION: THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE/PROPOSALS. The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a Maintenance/Repair service agreement for a Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 with Apotome, serial number 3525002300. Requirement is of a sole source nature. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Receptor Biology Section (RBS) uses The Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 with Apto microscope on a regular basis. This imager helps with viewing Glutamate, which is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, and in addition to its central role in fast excitatory signaling it is also involved in synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and the pathogenesis of certain neurologic diseases. Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 with Apotome is a technological advanced device that requires routine maintenance and upkeep. This requirement is for a 12-month Base period with 4 option years, which NIH intends to award on a sole-source basis to Carl Zeiss Microsystems, Inc. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 811210 with a Size Standard of $30M. This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses. REGULATORY AUTHORITY The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses of the Federal acquisition Regulation (FAR) in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2022-08, dated 9/26/2022. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF REQUIREMENT The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Receptor Biology Section (RBS) uses The Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 with Apto microscope on a regular basis. This imager helps with viewing Glutamate, which is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, and in addition to its central role in fast excitatory signaling it is also involved in synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and the pathogenesis of certain neurologic diseases. Although glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter in all pathways of the central nervous system, the response to glutamate is not uniform at all glutamatergic synapses and varies with the type of glutamate receptor expressed on the postsynaptic membrane. In this context, we are interested in studying synapse-specific expression of postsynaptic NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The Receptor Biology Section characterizes the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter receptor transport and localization at the synapse using several research strategies which include (1) defining sorting motifs present in neurotransmitter receptor cytosolic domains, (2) isolating neurotransmitter receptor-associated proteins, and (3) determining the role of protein-protein interactions in trafficking and specific synapse localization. Using these cell biological approaches, we hope to elucidate the mechanisms of neurotransmitter receptor trafficking in neurons and the role of accessory proteins at central synapses. CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION Carl Zeiss Microsystems, Inc. is the only contractor who has manufacturer-trained and certified technicians to maintain and upgrade their patented and proprietary software and hardware. They are the only firm who can provide updates to their scientific equipment and software. They are the only firm who manufactures and certifies replacement parts for this equipment. All required parts and supplies for this equipment must be purchased from Carl Zeiss Microsystems, Inc. and the contractor must have direct access to these parts and labor. Replacement parts or accessories must be compatible with the existing system. All manufacturer training is provided for Carl Zeiss Microsystems, Inc engineers only and they do not allow third-party vendors to provide preventive maintenance nor emergency repair services on their equipment. Switching to another higher-level maintenance service provider from another vendor would require a substantial amount of time, resources and experience and is therefore not a suitable alternative. As there is no viable alternative service provider at this time, and only one authorized provider, the Government intends to issue an award on a sole-source basis to the following contractor: Carl Zeiss Microsystems, Inc. 1 North Broadway White Plains NY 10601 POC: Audrey Bice Phone: +1 (800) 233-2343 Email: audrey.bice@zeiss.com Contract Type: A firm-fixed price type contract with Base and four (4) option periods is planned for this acquisition, consistent with commercial practices. CLOSING STATEMENT THIS NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE-SOURCE BASIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must provide evidence that they can provide equipment that meets all of the requirements in this announcement. All responses must be received by 12/19/2022 by 11:00 AM EST and must reference the solicitation number, 75N95023000320. Responses must be submitted electronically to Shivani Patel, Contracts Specialist, Contracts Management Branch – Red, NINDS Section, NIDA, at Shivani.patel@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and Fax responses will not be accepted.