ISBEE/IEE Sources Sought for Zeiss Ophthalmic Equipment PM Services

UPDATE 6/24/2026:  This notice is amended to make the following administrative corrections:  

1. Secondary Point of Contact Added: Tanya Azure, Contract Specialist has been added as a secondary point of contact. See the Point of Contact section of this notice.
2. Typo Correction:  Paragraph 2 / First Sentence:  Billings Area Indian Health Services is corrected to read Billings Area Indian Health Service.
3. Correction :  Paragraph 2 / First Sentence:  Medical is corrected to read ophthalmic diagnostic.
4. Correction: Background / Fifth Sentence:  Medical is corrected to read ophthalmic diagnostic.
5. Instructions to Industry: Third Bullet: Medical is corrected to read ophthalmic diagnostic. 

All other terms and conditions of the original notice remain unchanged.

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SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

This is a Sources Sought announcement only.  The purpose of this announcement is to gain knowledge of current market conditions relative to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 811210 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance with a size standard of $34 million. The Government anticipates this requirement may result in a sole source award to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or an OEM-authorized service provider; however IHS is conducting market research in accordance with the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C. 47) and HHSAR Subpart 326.6 to determine whether qualified Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) or Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) are capable of performing the required services prior to making that determination. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted as such.

The Billings Area Indian Health Service (BAIHS), on behalf of the Fort Belknap Service Unit (FBSU), Harlem, Montana is seeking to identify any vendors capable of fulfilling a Service Contract for Service and Preventative Maintenance Contract for Zeiss ophthalmic diagnostic ophthalmic equipment.  The period of performance is expected to be for a base period of twelve months with three (3) twelve-month options.  The anticipated start date of the base year period of performance is August 1, 2026. 

Background:  Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, Indian Health Service must use the negotiation authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, to give preference to IEEs whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.  BAIHS is trying to ascertain whether there are qualified IEEs capable of providing the services.  The purpose is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of all qualified native small businesses; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; small disadvantaged business; service-disabled, veteran owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; or woman-owned small businesses; and (3) their size classification according to NAICS 811210.  Interested organizations presenting a Capability Statement in response to this Sources Sought Synopsis must identify their size status. Capability Statement is to address whether firm holds a current Zeiss authorized service provider agreement, firm’s experience performing preventative maintenance on Zeiss ophthalmic diagnostic equipment of this type and ability to obtain OEM parts and access proprietary Zeiss diagnostic software. 

The IEE Representation form is required per HHSAR 352.226-7(b), so include the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form in your response.

Description of Requirement: Establish a Service Contract to ensure that online and inhouse technical support, repair, calibration, and service is available for six (6) Zeiss ophthalmic diagnostic equipment located at FBSU’s two facilities: the main IHS hospital in Harlem, MT, and the Eagle River Health Center in Hays, MT.  Respondents should indicate their ability to provide service at both locations.

This includes 2 of each: Visual Field Analyzers, Cirrus 6000 OCT-Angio, 2 Clarus 500 Retinal Cameras. 

Specific model numbers and serial numbers will be provided to respondents upon request or included in any subsequent solicitation.

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. Interested parties shall not be reimbursed for costs associated with preparation of their responses. Any proprietary information should be so marked.

Consistent with the revised Buy Indian Act, IHS adopted the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) set forth in 48 CFR 1480.201.  This definition includes the following requirement, amongst others:  “the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract.” 

Instructions for submission are outlined further below.

DEFINITIONS

INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (IEE):

Any business activity owned by one or more Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations provided that:

• The combined Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation ownership of the enterprise constitutes not less than 51%;
• The Indian, Federal Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations must, together, receive at least 51% of the earnings from the contract; and
• The management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY

IEEs and ISBEEs are highly encouraged to respond to this notice. However, firms must also understand that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of their capacity and capability to perform the work required. To be considered a capable source, responses must directly demonstrate the company’s capability, experience, and ability to provide services as shown below.

Interested firms are asked to provide the following:

• Firm name, UEI, address, point of contact, phone, and email;
• Confirmation of current Zeiss authorized service provider status;
• Experience performing PM services on Zeiss ophthalmic diagnostic equipment of the type identified in this notice;
• Ability to obtain OEM parts and access Zeiss proprietary diagnostic software;
• Ability to perform services at both locations identified in this notice;
• Business size and socioeconomic status, including Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) or Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) status;
• Completed IEE Representation form;
• Demonstrate how your company meets the definition for Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) in consideration to this requirement;.
• Demonstrate how your company will receive at least 51% of the earnings from the awarded contract;
• If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how together with the subcontractor you will receive a combined 51% of the earnings from the contract;
• If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is NOT a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how you will receive 51% of the earnings from the contract; and
• Demonstrate how the prime IEE, or together with the subcontractor, will conduct management and daily operations to be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

Failure to address these items in your capability statement could exclude your firm from being determined a capable IEE/ISBEE source.

SUBMISSION

Interested parties shall submit a capability statement and completed IEE Representation form in PDF format via email to: Prudence.YellowOwl@ihs.gov by the response date and time on the sources sought announcement. Capability statements shall not exceed five (5) pages.  Please include the following in the subject line of your email:  “Sources Sought Notice Submission – 75H70926BAO-064 FBSU”

Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement.