NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR JEOL 7100 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

The Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has the mission of promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in the development and use of materials by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology.  Our core areas of competence are grounded in the discipline of materials science and engineering (structure-property-processing relationships) with specific focus on metallurgy, polymer science, and functional materials. This expertise has expanded in recent years to include nanoscale materials (2D materials), complex fluids (colloids, emulsions), advanced devices (electronic, magnetic, energy), and advanced manufacturing (additive, biomanufacturing). This group utilizes a JEOL 7100 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) which requires a maintenance and repair service.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with the JEOL USA, Inc., 11 Dearborn Road, Peabody, MA 01960, for maintenance and repair service for the JEOL Model JSM-7100 SEM.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Market research has shown that JEOL USA Inc. is the sole responsible source for service for this instrument. JEOL USA Inc. has stated in writing that: JEOL USA, Inc. is the sole provider of factory-certified service, maintenance, and proprietary parts for the JSM-7100 in the United States and Canada. There are no third parties that have priority access to replacement parts and may actually damage equipment and void any warranties. Further, any updates, bug fixes and alignments processed through our proprietary software can’t be stored without the factory assigned password.

The service award will include annual preventative maintenance, corrective repairs, software maintenance, and technical support to ensure instrument performance and to maintain compliance with OEM calibration and operational specifications.

A market survey and review of potential sources indicate no other vendors are authorized or capable of providing the required services in accordance with the OEM’s specifications.  Using an unauthorized service provider would compromise equipment performance, and risk irreparable damage to the JSM-7100 SEM.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 811210– Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, with a small business size standard 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 10:00AM EST on 9/1/25 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.