NOI- Annual Service and Maintenance Agreement for Thermo Scientific Quadrupole-Orbitrap Hybrid w/IC (Exploris 480) mass spectrometer and associated Vanquish components.

NON-COMPETITIVE COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

Title: Annual Service and Maintenance Agreement for Thermo Scientific Quadrupole-Orbitrap Hybrid w/IC (Exploris 480) mass spectrometer and associated Vanquish components.

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N98026Q00475. This solicitation is issued as a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a non-competitive combined synopsis/solicitation to award a contract or purchase order without providing for full and open competition (including brand-name, if applicable).

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 12.603, Streamlined Solicitation for Commercial Products or Commercial Services, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. Additional authority includes 41 U.S.C. 1901 and FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii).

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director, Office of Acquisitions, intends to negotiate and award a Firm-Fixed-Price on a non-competitive basis to

THERMO ELECTRON NORTH AMERICA LLC

1400 Northpoint PKWY STE 10

West Palm Beach, Florida

33407-1976, United States

The Thermo Electron North America LLC, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Thermo Scientific Exploris 480 mass spectrometer and associated Vanquish liquid chromatography modules, is the only source capable of providing comprehensive manufacturer-certified support for the fully integrated analytical system.

The Exploris 480 mass spectrometer is a highly specialized and proprietary instrument that requires OEM-trained and certified service engineers with direct access to proprietary diagnostic tools, firmware, software, replacement parts, and technical documentation. The associated Vanquish liquid chromatography modules operate as integrated components of the overall analytical platform and require coordinated manufacturer-level support to ensure system compatibility, validated performance, and proper communication between all modules.

Although third-party vendors may be able to perform limited maintenance on certain liquid chromatography components, they cannot provide complete integrated system-level support for the Exploris 480 platform. Non-OEM servicing may result in delays obtaining proprietary replacement parts, incompatibility issues, inability to perform manufacturer-authorized software or firmware updates, and potential degradation of instrument performance.

In addition, Thermo Fisher Scientific does not guarantee system performance or assume liability for failures resulting from unauthorized third-party servicing. Use of non-OEM support could compromise instrument reliability, increase downtime, and negatively impact ongoing scientific studies.

The material and services must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with the existing installed system. Only Thermo Electron can provide the required manufacturer-certified service coverage necessary to maintain the system to original factory specifications.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (insert current circular number and date).

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 811210- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, and the small business size standard is 34 million. This requirement is not set aside for small business.

(v) Description of Requirement:

To help maintain and ensure the functionality of the Thermo Scientific Quadrupole-Orbitrap Hybrid w/IC (Exploris 480) mass spectrometer, NCATS requires a Thermo Electron Unity Essential Support Plan. This agreement will include annual preventive maintenance for the Exploris 480 mass spectrometer and associated Vanquish modules to ensure proper system operability, performance, and longevity.

(vi) Delivery Location:
 

NIH/NCATS

9800 Medical Center Drive

Building B, Room 2001A

Rockville, MD 20850

(vii) [Reserved, if needed]

(viii) The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Add any additional instructions as required.

(ix) The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(a) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, issued to the successful offeror within the time specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party.
The Government reserves the right to accept any offer (or part of an offer) before the expiration date, whether or not discussions are conducted, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received prior to award. Add additional evaluation criteria as required.

(x) Offerors shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, with their offer.

(xi) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xii) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xiii) Additional contract requirements or terms and conditions, as determined necessary by the Contracting Officer and consistent with customary commercial practices: None.

(xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable to this requirement.

(xv) Submission Requirements:
Responses must include sufficient information to demonstrate the respondent’s capability to provide the required product or service. Price quotations shall include, at a minimum: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery timeframe after award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. point (destination or origin), product or catalog numbers, product descriptions, and any other relevant information.

Evaluation factors may include, but are not limited to: past performance, technical capability, special features, trade-in considerations, expected lifecycle, warranty, maintenance availability, and environmental or energy efficiency considerations.

Respondents claiming to be manufacturers or authorized resellers of a specified brand-name product must provide:
(a) Product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s);
(b) Product description;
(c) Documentation demonstrating that the offered item meets all required salient characteristics;
(d) Quantity;
(e) Estimated price or cost;
(f) Shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and
(g) Delivery timeframe after receipt of order.

Responses must also include the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and business size certification. All offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.

All responses must be received by (June 13, 2026 @ 12:00PM, EST) and must reference solicitation number 75N98026Q00475. Responses may be submitted electronically to Jaddua.johnston@nih.gov

(xvi) Point of Contact:
 

Jaddua Johnston, Contract Specialist, 240-569-0006, Jaddua.johnston@nih.gov