NOI - Annual Service and Maintenance Agreement for Thermo Electron Q-Exactive HF-X Mass Spectrometer and Components
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), has issued a Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent (NOI) to award a non-competitive contract for an Annual Service and Maintenance Agreement for a Thermo Electron Q-Exactive HF-X Mass Spectrometer and associated Vanquish system components. This service is critical for ongoing research at NCATS in Bethesda, MD, evaluating drug candidate absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. The government intends to award this contract to Thermo Electron North America LLC. Responses from interested parties are due by April 20, 2026, at 9:00 am EDT.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for a Thermo Electron Unity Essential Support Plan (brand-name) covering a Q Exactive HF-X Mass Spectrometer, Vanquish Binary Pump H, Vanquish Split Sampler HT, and Vanquish Column Compartment. The service agreement must include:
- One (1) annual preventive maintenance visit.
- Corrective maintenance services (labor, parts, and travel included).
- Technical support with rapid response times.
- Software and firmware updates.
- Access to OEM knowledge base resources. Salient characteristics mandate that services must be performed by OEM-certified Thermo Electron Field Service Engineers, include access to proprietary diagnostic software/firmware, utilize OEM-certified replacement parts, support manufacturer-required calibration/tuning, provide software/firmware updates, and ensure system performance meets manufacturer specifications.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Pre-Solicitation / Non-Competitive Notice of Intent
- Product Service Code: J066 (Maintenance, Repair And Rebuilding Of Equipment: Instruments And Laboratory Equipment)
- NAICS Code: 811210 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (Size Standard: $34 Million)
- Period of Performance: Base year (April 23, 2026 - April 22, 2027) with two additional option years.
- Response Due: April 20, 2026, at 9:00 am EDT
- Published: April 9, 2026
Submission & Evaluation
This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to meet the requirement. The Government reserves the right to proceed on a non-competitive basis or conduct a competitive procurement based on responses. Responses should include unit price, list price, shipping/handling, delivery period, prompt payment terms, F.O.B. Point, DUNS, TIN, and certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).
Eligibility / Set-Aside
This acquisition is not set aside for small business.
Additional Notes
The acquisition is conducted under FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services), with statutory authority from FAR Subpart 13.5 and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for soliciting from a single source. Market research indicates Thermo Electron North America LLC is the only vendor capable due to proprietary equipment and sole provider status for maintenance. The intended source is Thermo Electron North America LLC, located in West Palm Beach, FL.