This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal.  The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate an other than full and open competition basis FEI Company for a Preferred service agreement for a TEM Microscope and Eagle 4K HR 200kV Camera.

The Office of the Chief Scientist for the Integrated Research Facility at Ft. Detrick (OCSIRF) within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) develops and executes an intramural biodefense clinical research program utilizing the unique biocontainment resources of the IRF, to elucidate disease processes and develop and test therapeutic and preventative countermeasures in animal models to affect disease outcomes. The OCSIRF also develops policy, goals, and objectives to achieve an appropriate balance of priorities among ongoing and planned research; and establishes collaborative partnerships with other NIAID programs, partners in the National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick, academia, biotechnology consortia, and other domestic and international agencies. The OCSIRF prioritizes and coordinates research proposals to maximize efficient utilization of the IRF resources and provides advice to the Director, NIAID, and other federal leadership in establishing and prioritizing biodefense research.​​​

A premium service contract will help protect and ensure the value of these microscopes, which together are worth over three million dollars.  Maintaining these microscopes under a service contract is more financially sound than having to replace them should serious issues occur. The service contract includes emergency support, which will lessen or eliminate any down time on the microscopes, should problems occur. The service contract includes expert technicians specifically trained to work with these specific pieces of equipment, versus a more general service contract which would not provide NIAID with FEI-specific technicians.

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capabilities statement that will be considered. The documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov, (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-25-2255652 by 12:00 pm eastern standard time May 1, 2025. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit a capabilities statement. Instructions on how to register / submit quotes are included on the website. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). All responsible sources may submit a capabilities statement that will be considered by this Agency.