Preventive Maintenance and Repair Service Agreement for two Zeiss Merlin Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG SEM) and a Gatan 3View serial block face sectioning device

7/7/2026: See questions and answers below.

​​​​​1.    Can the Government provide the current SmartSEM software version and firmware version for each Zeiss Merlin SEM listed in the requirement?  

Response: SmartSEM 6.05 (10-Apr-19) with Service Pack 7

2.    Can the Government provide any recent service history, maintenance records, or known current issues for each Zeiss Merlin SEM? 

Response: See Attached.

3.    Is remote access permitted for troubleshooting and diagnostic support? If yes, are there any site-specific requirements or restrictions for remote access? 

Response: No.  Remote access is not permitted and has not been provided in the history of the instruments.

4.    For any repair completion timeframe stated in the requirement, will the Government allow an exception when repair delays are caused by OEM parts availability or manufacturer lead times outside the contractor’s control? 

Response: Yes, provided that: (1) a service technician has determined, through an on-site evaluation, that OEM parts require replacement; and (2) the OEM provides documentation confirming that the parts are on back order and subject to a lead time.  

5.    Does the requirement include support for the Gatan 3View serial block-face device, or is the required coverage limited to the Zeiss Merlin SEM instruments only? 

Response: As stated in the solicitation, coverage must include support for the Gatan 3View Serial Block-Face Device.  The distinction is that there is no strict repair timeframe for this accessory; best efforts must be made based on parts availability. 

6.    If the Gatan 3View device is included, can the Government confirm whether it may be serviced directly by Gatan or another separate qualified provider?  

Response: To the Government's knowledge, Gatan no longer provides direct service support for the Gatan 3View system and instead licenses or contracts that support to Zeiss directly. The device may be serviced by a qualified vendor. 

7.    Are software and firmware updates limited to the instrument’s currently licensed software version series, or does the Government expect major software version upgrades to be included? 

Response: Updates are expected to be limited to the instrument's current licensed software version series. Major version upgrades are not included. 

8.    Is a one-time onboarding/site assessment acceptable during the base period to verify instrument condition, document configuration, and capture system backup/inventory information before full service coverage begins? 

Response: No. The instruments, including the Gatan 3View system, are currently covered under a service contract and are all operational. The solicitation states on page 14: "Offerors are afforded the opportunity to inspect the existing instruments and site, at their own expense, prior to the date set for receipt of quotes by contacting the Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer identified herein to schedule an appointment. Failure to inspect the instruments/site will not relieve the successful offeror from fully meeting the requirements of the resulting contract at the price offered."

9.    Can the Government confirm the quote submission deadline and whether pricing is required for the base period only or for the base period and all option years?

Response: Quotes are due by 1PM Central Time on 7/14/26. There are no option years. Pricing is required for the base period only. 

See attached combined synopsis/solicitation.