Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Service contract for Philips 3T MRI Scanner
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 Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order to Philips North America LLC for a service contract covering their Philips 3T MRI Scanner. This critical service ensures the continuous operation of a vital research instrument at the NIDDK's Biomedical and Metabolic Imaging Branch (BMIB). While this is a sole source notice, small businesses are invited to submit capability statements demonstrating their ability to perform the requirement. Responses are due by April 6, 2026.
Scope of Work
The NIDDK's BMIB utilizes the 3T MRI scanner for advanced research in metabolic imaging, including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for tissue triglyceride/glycogen content, liver elastography, and coronary atherosclerosis imaging. This scanner supports approximately 30 ongoing and planned clinical studies across various NIH institutes. Maintaining its functionality is mission-critical to prevent research failures and enable the development of new state-of-the-art imaging techniques.
The required service agreement includes:
- Priority scheduling for service calls and access to spare parts inventory.
- Priority Remote Service response and Remote Proactive Monitoring.
- All labor and travel during standard hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm).
- One-hour initial response with four-hour on-site response.
- All spare and strategic parts that fail during normal use.
- Equipment Planned Maintenance services per Philips manufacturer specifications.
- Proprietary operating system software enhancements (excluding software upgrades).
- Unlimited 24/7 Technical Services and Clinical Applications Telephone Support.
- Annual PSI and Customer Loyalty Meeting.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Sole Source (Presolicitation) for a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order.
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source to Philips North America LLC). However, the government is accepting capability statements from small businesses (e.g., 8(a), service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, veteran-owned small business, and women-owned small business) to determine if competition is feasible.
- Response Due: April 6, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC.
- Published: March 30, 2026.
- Anticipated Award: Approximately five days after the notice date, pending review of capability statements.
Evaluation
This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed award based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.
Additional Notes
The place of performance is Bethesda, MD 20892. The primary contact is David Shen at david.shen@nih.gov.