Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Preventative Maintenance _Leica Biosystems

The USDA FSIS intends to issue a sole-source Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Purchase Order to Leica Biosystems for maintenance services on specific pathology equipment. Interested vendors must submit capability statements to Angela.Carey@usda.gov by 6/15/2026 at 12pm EST addressing OEM authorization, technical capability, and parts availability for legacy equipment. INTRODUCTION The FSIS Eastern Lab is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable of providing a full-service maintenance agreement for four (4) Leica instruments used daily by the Pathology Branch for diagnostic histopathology methods. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT The contractor shall provide all labor, tools, and parts (subject to availability) for preventative maintenance (PM) and corrective repairs on the following equipment: Leica HistoCore Biocut Manual Microtome | SN: 1425 Leica IP Slide Printer | SN: 71161 Leica RM2235 Manual Microtome | SN: 12199 Leica RM2235 Manual Microtome | SN: 12221 LIFECYCLE & PARTS AVAILABILITY NOTICE The Government acknowledges that certain instruments (specifically the RM2235 models) may have reached their full lifecycle. Respondents must explicitly state if Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are no longer available for these models or if they have alternative sources for certified parts. SCOPE OF WORK Annual Preventative Maintenance: At least one (1) scheduled PM visit per year per instrument. Corrective Repairs: Unlimited on-site repairs, including travel, labor, and parts. Response Time: 48-hour on-site response. Compliance: Services must be Section 508 compliant regarding electronic reporting or interfaces unless a waiver is requested. INTENT TO AWARD The Government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order, consisting of a base year plus four (4) option years, provided that parts remain readily available for the duration of the contract. OEM AUTHORIZATION & THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION Non-OEM Requirement: If the respondent is a third-party vendor, they must provide a Letter of Authorization (LOA) or similar documentation from Leica Biosystems/Microsystems certifying them as an authorized service provider. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS Interested parties should submit a capability statement (not to exceed 5 pages) to Angela.carey@usda.gov by 6/15/2026 12pm EST. Submissions must include: Company Information: Name, Unique Entity ID (UEI), System for Award Management (SAM) registration status, and socioeconomic status (e.g., Small Business, SDVOSB). Technical Capability: Confirmation of ability to service the specific models and serial numbers listed. Lifecycle Statement: A clear assessment of parts availability for the legacy RM2235 models. Past Performance: Brief descriptions of similar maintenance contracts with federal or commercial labs. Disclaimer: This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which will be considered by the agency. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement on a full and open competitive basis is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer.