Inactive

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of Research (DIR) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Leica Microsystems Inc., 1700 L... The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of Research (DIR) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Leica Microsystems Inc., 1700 Leider Lane, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 for Leica Instrumentation service. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.501(a)(1). Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type of contract. Leica technicians, equipment, parts, and software fixes can only be obtained from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Leica Microsystems Inc. is the OEM of the equipment and they do not have any licensed third-party service providers. The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 only one source available and no substitutions are possible. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. All responsible sources who can provide the same equipment may submit a response that could be considered by email to Brad Engel at brad.engel@nih.gov by the date and time stipulated. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow NIAID to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. All responses received by the closing date of this solicitation 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. Any response to this notice received after the closing date and time will be late and will not be considered. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: The National Institutes of Health requires a service plan for Leica microscopes located in DIR/RTB laboratories. Due to the life aspect, critical nature of these Leica instruments for research, these systems must operate at optimal levels. This requires routine calibrations, periodic maintenance, software upgrades/fixes, and parts replacement. If these highly technical instruments are not calibrated or maintained correctly, the result would be skewed data that has the potential to adversely impact research deadlines. Due to the life aspect/the high potential of jeopardizing multiple research projects, the risk is too high for soliciting a third-party vendor who would not be able to obtain parts, appropriately service, and calibrate these instruments. The only way to obtain trained Leica technicians, OEM spare parts, and software updates is through the manufacture. The manufacture is Leica Microsystems Inc. and there are no third-party service providers. There is only one source and no other sources will satisfy agency requirements.