Maintenance Agreement for Hamilton Microlab Platform

FBO ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT

ACTION CODE: SPECIAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: Sole source – Maintenance Agreement for Hamilton Microlab Platform

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB645080-26-00579

RESPONSE DATE: 8/29/26

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) operates a laboratory at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) in Rockville, MD that develops fundamental measurement science, standards, and reference data to enable more accurate and confident characterization of key attributes of biological materials. An automated liquid handling system was acquired by the group at IBBR to remove both person-to-person and day-to-day variability in sample preparation as well as to set up an integrated environment with their current state-of-the-art mass spectrometer-based applications. The instrument must undergo regularly scheduled maintenance in order to ensure that it continues to provide accurate and precision pipetting of various liquid types and be able to detect liquid levels.  In addition, repairs must be made in a timely manner to ensure that projects are completed within deadlines, regular quality checks of reference materials are not delayed and release of materials to stakeholders is not put on hold due to lack of up-to-date information.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR Part 12.102(b) with Hamilton Company located in Reno NV, for this maintenance.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Market research has shown that Hamilton is the only known authorized source for maintenance and support for this equipment. Hamilton has stated in writing, “Hamilton Company is the sole source provider for replacement parts, proprietary software upgrades, Hamilton factory trained and authorized service representatives, Hamilton Service Agreements and is the sole contact for escalation and services on the Microlab® platforms STARTM, NIMBUS® and VANTAGE®. These services include factory expertise and possible replacement of major components if deemed necessary by Hamilton Company. The repair of damage, replacement of parts, or any increase in service time caused by use of third-party consumables (i.e., third party tips), unauthorized software, or non-Hamilton repairs are not covered by a Hamilton Warranty or Service Agreement.”

NAICS code for this requirement will be 811210– Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance with a small business size of $34.0M.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 1:00AM EST on 8/29/26 will be considered by the Government.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Inquiry POCs

Erik.Fycklund@nist.gov  Primary

Andrea.Parekh@nist.gov Secondary

National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD)

100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640