Carl Zeiss Elyra PS.1 Microscope Maintenance Plan

Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Carl Zeiss Elyra PS.1 Microscope Maintenance Plan

(i) Description
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are not being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order on a sole-source basis to Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC, located in White Plains, NY, to procure annual service and maintenance for a mission-critical super-resolution microscope.

The requirement is for the following:

Annual Maintenance Service, ELYRA PS.1Protect Premium Plan with Protect Premium Research Microscope MotCatalog # 000000-1912-885 & # 000000-1912-874 S/N: 2560000238

Quantity: One

A detailed Statement of Work (SOW) is included as an attachment to this notice.

(ii) Justification for Sole Source
The statutory authority for this sole-source award is 41 U.S.C. 1901(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), permitting other than full and open competition when only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC is the only source capable of providing the required services because:

1. Proprietary System: The Elyra PS.1 microscope and its required ZEISS ZEN operating software are proprietary to Carl Zeiss.
2. Exclusive Expertise: Only factory-trained Carl Zeiss engineers have access to the proprietary diagnostic tools, calibration software, and training required to maintain the instrument to original factory specifications.
3. OEM Parts: Carl Zeiss is the only provider of OEM-grade replacement parts, which are necessary to protect the integrity of the instrument and ensure the validity of the cancer research data it produces.

(iii) Submission Information
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. To be considered, responses must be submitted in writing to the Point of Contact named in this notice by March 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

All capability statements must be submitted via email to the Point of Contact listed in section (iv) of this notice.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

(iv) Point of Contact

Primary Point of Contact: Dana Monroe, Contract Specialist       

Email: dana.monroe@hhs.gov