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 NICHD-21-069 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 2021-4. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 811219 and the business size standard is $22M. 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) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to contract on a sole source basis with Leica Microsystems LLC., 1700 Leider Lane – Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 to procure a one-year (start date estimate mid/late April 2021) Premium Care Service Agreement for the following Leica manufactured SP5 microscopes with Multi Photon Lasers: 1. SN: 5100001617 - SP5II DICH IR READY RESON SCAN – QUANTITY (1) EA 2. SN: 5100001618 - SP5II UV/405 561 DICHROIC – QUANTITY (1) EA Premium Care Service Coverage to include but not limited to: Coverage Period: One Calendar Year (start date TBD) • Unlimited service visits by Leica Microsystems trained and qualified field service engineer • Unlimited Replacement service parts, components or modules necessary for repairs, excluding external/3rd Lasers • Unlimited on-site repairs • RemoteCare™: remote support license – delivers system monitoring, deviation alerts, diagnostics, updates, upgrades and protection • 1 Annual on-site Planned Maintenance visit, to ensure the system is performing to factory specifications • Unlimited access to expert (PH.D.-level) Applications and Technology Support Center (M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) • Biosafety Level 2 included • Software updates • Percentage discount on non-contract related services • Priority on service calls The lab at NICHD requires a One Year Premium Care Service agreement for the microscopes necessary to maintain the microscopes in optimal working condition. Leica Microsystems Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of Leica Confocal & Leica Advanced Fluorescents Microscopes. Authorized Service on these microscopes is only available directly through Leica’s service organization. Leica's highly trained service engineers are factory certified to repair and provide unmatched knowledge of Leica Confocal & Leica Advanced Fluorescents Microscopes Systems. Leica is considered as the Sole Source for parts and service on these devices. As the equipment manufacturer, their employees have the requisite training to provide specialized service on these equipment’s. The Leica TCS SP5 Microscope is proprietary technology of Leica Microsystems, Inc., and can only be serviced and repaired by them without voiding the warranty. The proprietary software enables them to provide the required support on these devices. Failure to use only authorized Leica service staff will negate the warranty of all microscope’s components, thus only authorized Leica service staff is acceptable to service the microscopes under this service plan/agreement. These instruments by their complex nature containing multiple individual components require regular maintenance as well as alignment and calibrations which can only be carried out by dedicated knowledgeable engineers trained specifically by the manufacturer Leica Microsystems. These microscopes are mission critical for the scientific experiments undertaken in the individual laboratories where these devices are maintained in NICHD laboratories. The priority scheduling is very important for the proper upkeep and functionality of these microscopes. Thus, timely service is crucial in the functioning of core facilities and stand-alone research microscopes that student and postdoctoral scientists rely on for their day-to-day work. Acquisition of service contract offering from other entities/third parties’ providers can lead to substantive problems getting timely service engineer dispatched and can lead to down times on devices. NIH is a research organization where critical experiments require many weeks of tissue culture preparations and in animal breeding programs, thus such delays will impose a very large financial burden on research laboratories which are hurting for research funds in the first place. Waste of experimental reagents, animals and human resources are the biggest problem in addition to reduction in research productivities. 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 notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations however, all responses received, within seven days from the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items: evaluation factors (1) technical capability to provide all services/consumables, etc. outline above (2) price; and (3) past performance. Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost/price; 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 Items – Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. 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 offeror must include their Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with the services, etc. specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation to Tina Robinson via email to
[email protected]. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties and other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all foregoing requirements. Offers must include a signed agreement with Leica Microsystems authorizing that you are authorized to provide all the needed services for SP5 and components, use original manufacture parts and maintain existing warranties, etc. Quotations will be due fifteen calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis, no later than March 31,2021 by 9am EST. via email. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number” NICHD-21-069. Any questions must be sent via email to
[email protected] and must include solicitation# NICHD-21-069 in the subject line of email. Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification for “all awards” in the SAM database @www.sam.gov.