NOI-Annual Service and Maintenance Agreement for Waters QDa system
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 Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for an Annual Service and Maintenance Agreement for its Waters QDa system. This non-competitive pre-solicitation aims to ensure the continuous operation and reliability of this critical analytical laboratory instrument. Responses from interested parties are due by May 8, 2026, at 11:00 am EST.
Scope of Work
NCATS requires comprehensive maintenance for its Waters QDa system, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system with PDA, ELSD, and MS detection capabilities, used for determining identity, purity, stability, and solubility of drug substances in pre-clinical formulation development. The scope includes:
- Preventive Maintenance: Scheduled onsite services according to manufacturer specifications.
- Repair Services: Troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repair of the instrument, including replacement of defective components.
- OEM Parts & Personnel: All services must be performed by Waters Corporation-certified field service engineers using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, proprietary diagnostic tools, software, and firmware updates.
- Technical Support: Access to manufacturer technical support resources.
- Reporting: Written documentation after each service visit detailing work performed, parts replaced, and performance verification.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Pre-solicitation Non-Competitive (Notice of Intent to Sole Source)
- Solicitation Number: 75N98026Q00272
- Period of Performance: Base Period (Year 1) upon acceptance of Purchase Order.
- NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Set-Aside: This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses.
- Regulatory Authority: FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).
- Statutory Authority: FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source).
- Response Due: May 8, 2026, at 11:00 am EST.
- Place of Performance: NCATS facilities, 9808 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850.
Justification & Intended Source
The government's determination to award non-competitively is based on market research indicating that Waters Technologies Corporation is the only vendor capable of providing the required services due to the proprietary nature of the Waters QDa system's hardware, software, firmware, and diagnostic tools. Only OEM-trained personnel with access to proprietary tools can properly maintain and repair the system, ensuring compatibility, performance, and warranty protection. The intended source is Waters Technologies Corporation, 34 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757.
Response Information
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation to demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirement. Submissions should include unit price, list price, shipping/handling costs, delivery period, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point, DUNS, TIN, and business size certification. Offerors must have an active SAM.gov registration. Responses must reference solicitation number 75N98026Q00272 and be submitted electronically to Jaddua Johnston at Jaddua.Johnston@nih.gov.