NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE forGatan ancillary instrument systems Maintenance Service Agreement

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires a sole-source preventive maintenance contract for specialized TEAM Pegasus and TEAM EDS equipment, citing 41 USC 1901(e) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). GATAN, INC, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), is the only authorized service provider. Competition is precluded due to compatibility requirements, existing warranties that would be voided by using another provider, and the OEM's exclusive access to proprietary software, technical expertise, specialized tools, and hardware components necessary for maintenance. Using any other service provider would result in mismanagement of serviceable equipment and significant costs for replacing units and hardware modules, leading to substantial financial loss and loss of manhours. Market research conducted from February to March 2026 confirmed that GATAN, INC is the only source capable of meeting ARL’s requirements, making a sole-source procurement in the government's best interest.

This government solicitation, W911QX26QA082, outlines special instructions and information, primarily focusing on compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Key provisions include restrictions on using certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment (FAR 52.204-24 and 52.204-26), requiring offerors to disclose their use or provision of such equipment. The document also details requirements for Item Unique Identification and Valuation (DFARS 252.211-7003), specifying unique identifiers for delivered items and reporting procedures through Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) (DFARS 252.232-7006). The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, and the government intends to solicit only one source, GATAN, INC. Additional clauses cover AT-OPSEC requirements, government inspection and acceptance, work hours, identification of contractor employees, and non-personal government-contractor relationships.

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is issuing a sole source solicitation (W911QX26QA082) to GATAN, INC. for a Gatan ancillary instrument systems Maintenance Service Agreement. This combined synopsis/solicitation, prepared under FAR Subpart 12.6, is not a request for competitive proposals but will consider any received. The contract includes a base period and two option periods, each for 12 months, and is structured as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. The NAICS code is 335999 with a small business size standard of 600. The solicitation outlines various FAR and DFARS clauses applicable to the acquisition, covering areas such as reporting, prohibitions, labor standards, and electronic payment. Offers are due five business days after posting.

The Army Research Directorate (ARD) of DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires a maintenance service agreement for its Gatan ancillary instrument systems, which are critical for characterizing materials using electron microscopes. This contract seeks to establish a one-year preventive maintenance agreement for two systems in the base year, with two additional one-year option periods to cover all five Gatan ancillary systems, ensuring no lapse in coverage from the expiring contract. The equipment includes various TEAM Pegasus Integrated EDS-EBSD and TEAM EDS Systems with specific serial numbers. The contractor must provide OEM authorized service, including unlimited telephone support during business hours, up to one preventive maintenance visit per year, onsite repair visits with a targeted 48-hour response time, emergency service, and all replacement parts (excluding consumables) at no extra cost. Service initiation requests must be available 24/7 by phone and email, with a one-business-day response. All contractor personnel require appropriate security clearances and must adhere to U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground and ARL facility access requirements, as well as specific distribution statements for contract documents and AT-OPSEC requirements.