SAM #75N98027Q00067

NIH NCI seeks ZEISS LSM 900 microscope service and software maintenance

The National Cancer Institute is seeking a year-long service and software support agreement for its Government-owned ZEISS confocal microscope system. - Buyer: National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI). - OEMs: Carl Zeiss and Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, identified as the original equipment manufacturer and the proposed source for factory-trained technicians and proprietary parts. - Equipment covered: ZEISS LSM 900 confocal laser scanning microscope with an Axio Observer 7 motorized inverted microscope stand, Airyscan, and GaAsP detectors. - Requested services: - One comprehensive preventive-maintenance inspection. - Unlimited on-site corrective-repair visits, including labor, travel, and covered replacement parts. - ZEN software maintenance for ZEN with Advanced Acquisition and ZEN Band C, including updates, upgrades, bug fixes, and patches. - Ongoing remote technical support with prioritized call handling. - Notable requirements: Support is intended to reduce downtime, preserve optical alignment and detector calibration, maintain software and IT security compatibility, and protect research data integrity. The notice identifies a proposed sole-source procurement while inviting capability statements from other potential sources.

Description

75N98027Q00067

Service Contract for Carl Zeiss LSM 900 Confocal Microscope System

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), intends to award a contract to Carl Zeiss on a sole-source basis pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, for the acquisition of LSM 900 / Axio Observer 7, the Government intends to solicit and award a Purchase Order on a sole-source basis because the Government's minimum technical requirements will be satisfied by Carl Zeiss.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Cancer Institute (NCI) utilizes high-resolution optical microscopy platforms to support advanced biomedical research and critical imaging requirements. The Laboratory currently operates a Carl Zeiss LSM 900 confocal laser scanning microscope system mounted on an Axio Observer 7 motorized inverted microscope stand, equipped with an Airyscan detector module and GaAsP detectors (Serial Number: 2901001023).

To prevent instrument downtime, maintain optical alignment and detector calibration, ensure compliance with evolving IT security and operating system environments, and protect scientific data integrity, ongoing manufacturer-certified preventative maintenance, unscheduled corrective repairs, and software support are required. Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) capable of supplying certified factory-trained service engineers and proprietary parts to service this specialized research equipment.

The primary objective of this requirement is to acquire a comprehensive 12-month Protect Premium Service Agreement and Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) for the Government-owned ZEISS LSM 900 / Axio Observer 7 confocal microscope system. Specifically, the agreement will provide:

Preventative Maintenance: One (1) annual comprehensive preventative maintenance (PM) inspection visit.

Remedial Repairs: Unlimited on-site remedial corrective repair service visits, inclusive of all labor, travel, and covered replacement parts.

Software Maintenance: Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) coverage for the ZEN software suite (ZEN w/ Advanced Acquisition and ZEN Band C), including regular version updates/upgrades, bug fixes, and patch releases.

Technical Support: Ongoing remote technical support and prioritized call handling to maximize instrument uptime for NCI research operations.

Carl Zeiss is the original manufacturer and sole supplier of the LSM 900 / Axio Observer 7. This piece of equipment utilizes Droplet Digital PCR for the absolute quantification of nucleic acids.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, interested parties that believe they can meet the Government's requirements may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to provide the required supplies and meet all specified technical and operational requirements.

The Government will consider all timely capability statements received and determine whether the acquisition should proceed as a sole-source procurement or be competed.

The Government anticipates making an award approximately five (5) calendar days after the closing date of this notice, unless the Government determines that another responsible source is capable of meeting the requirement.

Capability statements shall be submitted electronically to davisroshonna@mail.nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EDT on November 20, 2026.

Please reference Notice No. 75N98027Q00067 in the subject line of the response.

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