NOI for Laser Scanning Microscope (LSM) 880 Airyscan Confocal Microscope

This contract action is for the acquisition of commercial services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, in conjunction with FAR Subpart 13.106‑1(b)(1), which permits soliciting from a single source when the circumstances of the acquisition deem only one source reasonably available.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), Office of Acquisitions (OA) intends to award a single‑source purchase order to Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, One North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601‑2310.

Research in the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Intramural Research Program (IRP) revolves around five main research areas: Craniofacial Developmental, Cell and Matrix Biology; Epithelial and Salivary Gland Biology and Dysfunction; Immunology and Inflammation; Sensory Biology; and Skeletal Biology. Within these research areas, the scientists are tasked with elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie a plethora of biological processes as they relate to both basic research and disease manifestations in a clinical setting.

One of the main scientific approaches used by researchers in the NIDCR is the imaging and analysis of fluorescently labeled proteins and reporter constructs in both fixed and living tissues and organs. The Zeiss 880 confocal microscope with Airyscan superresolution module is used by our researchers for high temporal and spatial resolution imaging of fluorescent samples. Due to the high sensitivity and precise nature of the microscope it is essential that the Zeiss 880 Airyscan microscope be maintained at its achievable specification limits at all times.

This service contract is required for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) preventative maintenance and to assure that if a malfunction or component failure occurs on the system, the microscope will be repaired and restored to its original operating capabilities with limited downtime. Failure to maintain an active service contract on the system could result in substantial repair costs and decreased functionality of an essential piece of equipment used by the researchers.