# SAM #75N98027Q00067

NIH NCI seeks ZEISS LSM 900 microscope service and software maintenance

**Buyer:** NIH Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations
**Posted:** November 05, 2026
**Respond By:** November 20, 2026
**Identifier:** 75N98027Q00067
**NAICS:** 811210

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

<p><strong>75N98027Q00067</strong></p>

<p>Service Contract for Carl Zeiss LSM 900 Confocal Microscope System</p>

<p>The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), intends to award a contract to <strong>Carl Zeiss </strong>on a sole-source basis pursuant to <strong>FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements</strong>, 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&#39;s minimum technical requirements will be satisfied by <strong>Carl Zeiss.</strong></p>

<p>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).</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p></p>

<p>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:</p>

<p></p>

<p><strong>Preventative Maintenance: </strong>One (1) annual comprehensive preventative maintenance (PM) inspection visit.</p>

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

<p><strong>Software Maintenance: </strong>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.</p>

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

<p></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p></p>

<p></p>

<p></p>

<p><strong>This notice is not a request for competitive quotations.</strong> However, interested parties that believe they can meet the Government&#39;s requirements may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to provide the required supplies and meet all specified technical and operational requirements.</p>

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

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

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

<p>Please reference <strong>Notice No. </strong><strong>75N98027Q00067&nbsp;</strong>in the subject line of the response.</p>

<p></p>

<p></p>

[View original listing](https://sam.gov/opp/1957adf449e746b48fc129ee08e8e3cd/view)
