The Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH), intends to award a sole source contract to Nikon Instruments, Inc. for the annual maintenance service of the AXR confocal system, which includes a service agreement covering specific equipment and software updates. This maintenance is crucial for ensuring the operational integrity of the Nikon AXR confocal system, which is essential for research conducted by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The contract is set for a one-year coverage period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and interested parties must submit their capability statements by 9:00 AM (Eastern Time) on May 1, 2025, to the primary contact, Van V. Holley, at holleyv@od.nih.gov.