Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Thermo Fisher Instruments Maintenance Repair
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 Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the NIST/Material Measurement Laboratory, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Thermo Electron North America, LLC (an operating unit of Thermo Fisher Scientific) for a comprehensive maintenance agreement for Thermo Fisher Instruments. This notice is an intent to sole source, not a request for competitive quotations. Responses to this notice are due by February 12, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive maintenance agreements for over 70 pieces of Thermo Fisher equipment, including Autosamplers, Pumps, Quantum Ultra AM, Orbitrap Fusion LUMOS, Freezers, ABI, Mass Spectrometers, Fluorescence Detectors, Chillers, Column Compartments, Wavelength Detectors, Speedvacs, and UV Detectors.
The service agreement covers both scheduled and as-needed maintenance to ensure uninterrupted performance within manufacturer specifications. Services include parts, labor, travel, unlimited on-site emergency service, and one preventive maintenance visit per year.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Sole Source
- Duration: One-year base period with four one-year option periods.
- Set-Aside: Not Applicable (Sole Source)
- NAICS Code: 811210 (Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance)
- Small Business Size Standard: $34.0 Million
- Response Due: February 12, 2026, 04:00 PM EST
- Published: January 29, 2026
- Place of Performance: Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States
Sole Source Justification
The sole source determination is based on several factors:
- Thermo Fisher Scientific holds proprietary rights to the equipment and is the sole manufacturer and distributor, with no authorized resellers or service providers.
- Only Thermo has access to performance-verified component parts, spare parts, software, technical support, and the latest firmware/software updates.
- Thermo manages a staff of trained, certified field technicians/engineers and does not train or certify external technicians.
- The Government requires on-site emergency repairs within 72 hours, and Thermo is the sole entity capable of controlling the scheduling of qualified technicians for such critical responses.
Additional Notes
No solicitation package will be issued. Responses received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement, and the decision to not compete remains at the Government's discretion.
Contact: Rudolph Spencer (rudolph.spencer@nist.gov)