Maintenance Agreement for Zeiss LSM980
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for a Maintenance Agreement for a Zeiss LSM980 confocal microscope. This procurement is intended for Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, without full and open competition. Interested parties capable of providing these services must submit their capabilities by February 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.
Purpose & Background
This maintenance agreement is crucial for the Laboratory of Sensory Physiology and Biophysics in Bethesda, MD, to support ongoing research into sensory hair cell physiology and mechano-electrical transduction. The Zeiss LSM980 confocal microscope with Airyscan2 is a key instrument for high-speed, high-resolution imaging in this research.
Contract Details
- NAICS Code: 811210 (Size Standard $34M)
- Regulatory Authority: FAR Subpart 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures
- Statutory Authority: FAR Part 13.106-1 (b)(1) – Soliciting from a single source
- Estimated Value: Not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000.
- Place of Performance: Bethesda, MD, United States
Response Information
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, responsible sources who believe they can meet the requirement may identify their interest and capability. Responses must include sufficient information to establish bona-fide capabilities, a technical proposal, a cost-price proposal, proposed period of performance, UEI, TIN, and business size certification. All offerors must have an active registration in SAM.gov.
- Solicitation Number: 75N94026Q00049
- Response Deadline: February 26, 2026, 9:00 AM Eastern Time
- Point of Contact: Mr. John Burton (Burtonjo@mail.nih.gov)
Additional Notes
The government reserves the right to determine whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement based on the responses received. Fax responses will not be accepted.