Preventive Maintenance and Repair Service Agreement for multiple types of Waters instrument systems
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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), is conducting market research to identify sources for a Preventive Maintenance and Repair Service Agreement for multiple Waters instrument systems and Empower software licenses. This is for the FDA's critical Color Certification Program. Responses will help determine future set-aside decisions. Capability statements are due May 4, 2026.
Purpose and Background
The FDA requires reliable and timely maintenance and repair of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument systems to ensure the successful performance of its Color Certification Program, which assures the safe use of certified color additives. A previous service contract ended, and this requirement aims to reestablish service for the Division of Color Certification and Technology’s HPLC instruments.
Scope of Work
The contractor shall provide on-site preventive maintenance, repair services, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, software upgrades, and technical support for the following analytical instruments and software:
- Three (3) Waters Acquity H-Class systems
- Three (3) Waters Acquity Classic systems
- Seven (7) Waters Arc systems
- One (1) Waters Alliance system
- Twenty (20) Waters Empower software licenses A detailed list of instruments is provided in Attachment 1 Instrument List.pdf.
Specific tasks include one annual scheduled on-site preventive maintenance visit per instrument, pre-inspections (if necessary, included in service agreement price), and separately quoted repairs for instruments not meeting performance standards. The contractor must provide unlimited technical support (phone/email) and OEM certified technicians within 3-5 business days for repairs, using OEM parts.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- NAICS: 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (Size Standard: $34 million)
- Set-Aside: Market research to determine small business availability; all businesses encouraged to respond.
- Anticipated Contract Type: Line Item 1 (Base Service Agreement) - Firm Fixed Price; Line Item 2 (Pre-Inspection Repairs) - Time-and-Materials, not-to-exceed.
- Period of Performance: June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027.
- Place of Performance: FDA, OCS, 4300 River Road, College Park, MD 20740.
- Response Due: May 4, 2026, by 13:00 hours (Central Time).
- Published: April 21, 2026.
Key Response Requirements
Interested parties should submit capability statements including:
- Business details (name, SAM UEI, address, size status, POC).
- Descriptive literature demonstrating capability to meet requirements.
- Three (3) years of past performance for similar services.
- GSA Schedule, BIC, or AbilityOne contract information (if applicable).
- Section 508 compliance information, including ACR if available.
- Identification of any restrictive specifications.
- Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses (if large business).
- Commercial warranty and payment terms.
- Place of product manufacture/service performance for Buy American Act.
- Informational pricing.
Additional Notes
This is for market research purposes only and is not a request for proposal or solicitation. The government will use responses to determine future acquisition strategy (e.g., set-aside, full and open, sole-source). Responses must demonstrate capability, not merely affirm it. No proprietary information should be included.