The National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price purchase order to Government Scientific Source on a sole source basis.

In accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, the Contractor is the only known responsible source who can provide the services for the requirement listed below.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the NIH intends to issue a purchase order to acquire the Leica VT1200 S vibrating blade microtome.  The vibrating blade microtome is designed for sectioning fresh specimens in neuroscience. Automatic feeding, specimen retraction and the use of a cutting window help to minimize sectioning time. The Leica brand vibrating microtome is mostly used when preparing brain/retinal slices for electrophysiological experiments.  The specimen disc fixing device is damaged on the VT1000S vibrating microtome currently used in was purchased about 20 years ago making it impossible to obtain tissue slices in good condition. The operation procedures are complicated and time-consuming and the VT1200S vibrating microtome will allow scientist to obtain fresh and fixed tissue slices to meet the needs of  electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry experiments.

Only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy agency requirements because this equipment is provided by the original equipment manufacturer, Leica Biosystems and their only authorized vendor or distributor is Government Scientific Source, Inc.  Leica Biosystems does not have third party vendors authorized for sale of the microtomes.  This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. However, any party that believes it can fulfill the requirement as stated herein may submit a written capability statement that clearly supports and demonstrates the ability to satisfy the requirement. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed award based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

It is anticipated that an award will be issued approximately five (5) days after the date of this notice unless the Government determines that another company has the capability to satisfy this requirement.

Responses to this notice must have the notice ID #SS-NIH-6846254 in the subject line of the email. Please email responses to [email protected] no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.