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This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included... This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NICHD-23-031 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will incorporate all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-08. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 811210 (formerly 811219) and the business size standard is $30M. This solicitation is NOT set-aside for small businesses. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute on Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in support of the work of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order with one twelve (12) month Base Year and four (4) twelve-month Option Years, to FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR 97124 on a sole-source basis to provide maintenance services for the existing Titan/Krios G3 Microscope (including camera) owned and located in the NIDDK. FEI Company is a part of ThermoFisher Scientific which is the manufacturer and sole provider of the required service/maintenance plan for the Titan/Krios G3 microscope. To maintain the distinctive hardware and software configurations for the microscope components, ThermoFisher maintenance representatives are trained and certified in Holland. As the variety of detector and software options is unique to this microscope, no other vendors will be able to provide the high level of specified maintenance and/or repairs needed to keep the microscope functioning at optimum levels. Failure to use FEI Company/ThermoFisher to service the microscope and its many components may result in the voiding of any manufacturer warranties on the microscope, delays for software upgrades and repairs, and may result in inaccurate research results that, in turn, could result in MICEF’s failure to meet its mission. FEI Company/ThermoFisher Scientific is the only company that can satisfy all the technical requirements for this proposed acquisition. BACKGROUND: The mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and KidnNey Diseases (NIDDK) is to conduct and support medical research and research training and to disseminate science-based information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutritional disorders, and obesity; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, to improve people’s health and quality of life. The NIDDK supports a wide range of medical research through grants to universities and other medical research institutions across the country. The Institute also supports government scientists who conduct basic, translational, and clinical research across a broad spectrum of research topics and serious, chronic diseases and conditions related to the Institute's mission. In addition, the NIDDK supports research training for students and scientists at various stages of their careers and a range of education and outreach programs to bring science-based information to patients and their families, health care professionals, and the public. The Multi Institute Cryo-EM Facility (MICEF) is a collaborative facility maintained by the NIDDK. It serves the scientific communities of NHLBI, NIDDK and NINDS. MICEF currently houses a Titan/Krios G3 microscope that is used for Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), a specialized process that produces detailed 3D characterization of biological samples. MICEF offers support in planning Cryo-EM experiments, sample preparation and imaging, using equipment, and analyzing data. To continue this support, the Titan/Krios G3 microscope requires a maintenance plan to keep the microscope functioning properly and providing accurate results. OBJECTIVE: The preventative maintenance plan for the Titan/Krios G3 microscope requires optimized and continuous performance for the quality and productivity of the ongoing research at NIDDK. The purchase of the service contract will ensure the high standard operation status of the microscope and its service to all Cryo-EM research projects at NIDDK. SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS: Titan Krios G3 Service Contract – services to include: 4-hour targeted telephone support, 48-hour targeted onsite labor response, unlimited labor hours (including travel time and expenses), all necessary spare parts (including all accessories listed on the contract), replacement FEG tip (for applicable products), one preventive maintenance visit (per year) and software updates. Ceta 16M Camera 330 kV TASK AREAS: Task Area 1 – Service Agreement – Contractor shall provide telephone support for microscope trouble shooting (to be determined by COR). Contractor shall provide on-site service (as determined by COR) by an experienced service engineer; on-site response shall be within 48 hours after submittal of service request. Any replacement parts that are needed for repair should be delivered by overnight shipping at the cost of the vendor. The vendor covers all costs including labor, travel, living expenses and parts. Task Area 2 – Preventive Maintenance – The Contractor shall provide a one-time on-site preventive maintenance during the contract period (to be determined by COR), and NIDDK’s MICEF facility director must be present during the maintenance. Task Area 3 – Software Updates – The Contractor shall provide notification of any new software updates that can improve the functionality of the software capabilities. NIDDK’s MICEF facility director must be present during the software upgrade and will verify the success of the upgrade. Task Area 4 – Location of Service(s) – The Contractor shall perform the services for the microscope located in Building 13, Room G826 at NIH’s Bethesda Main Campus. TECHNICAL EVALUATION: The Selection of an offeror for contract award will be based on an evaluation of quotations against the requirements listed above. The Government intends to make an award to that vendor/offeror whose quote/proposal provides the best overall value to the Government. Offerors should be aware that the Government shall perform a “best value analysis” and the selection for award shall be made to the Offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, past performance, and cost/price are also important to the overall contract award decision. As proposals become more equal in terms of technical merit and past performance, the cost or price becomes more important. The Government does not intend to hold discussions during the technical evaluation and will not request revised technical quotations. However, clarifications may be used at the discretion of the Contracting Officer for proposal revisions. The Government reserves the right to make an award without discussions. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BREAKDOWN: Base Year: 1/1/2023 - 12/31/2023 Option Year 1: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 Option Year 2: 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025 Option Year 3: 1/1/2026 - 12/31/2026 Option Year 4: 1/1/2027 - 12/31/2027 The payment for the equipment maintenance service will be made Quarterly in arrears, after services are provided. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE: The Project Officer or the Project Officer Supervisor will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided. Inspection and acceptance will be done after all materials are unpacked, installed, and test run for operation. Receiving will be completed no later than 7 days following date of Delivery and does not constitute acceptance and Delivery. Acceptance and Delivery will be complete once the signed packing slip is provided to the Vendor. Inspection and acceptance will be conducted at National Institutes of Health, NIDDK, Building 5, Bethesda, MD 20892. CLOSING STATEMENT: The offeror must include a completed copy of the following provisions along with their quotation: The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 - Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services: Evaluation Factors (1) technical capability to provide all services; (2) price; and (3) past performance. Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost/price, FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, FAR Clause 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunication and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, FAR Clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. The offeror must include their Unique Entity ID (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at https://www.acquisition.gov/. Interested vendors capable of providing the Government with the services specified in this synopsis should submit their quotation to Contract Specialist, Kerry-Ann Chisholm, (301) 827-2514, via email at kerry-ann.chisholm@nih.gov by 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on December 2, 2022. The quotation must reference “Solicitation Number” NICHD-23-031. All quotations received from responsible sources no later than the due date and time specified, shall be considered by the agency.