Intend to Award Sole Source - Aperio GT 450 equipment service

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE/PROPOSAL –The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services (MRPBS), Acquisition and Asset Management Division (AAMD) on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), Diagnostic Bacteriology and Pathology Laboratory (DBPL) intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract on a sole source basis to Leica Microsystems, Inc., 10 Parkway North, STE 300, Deerfield, IL 60015-2526. This procurement is for the repair and maintenance service of a Leica Biosystems Aperio GT 450 Next Generation slide scanner. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,000.The anticipated award will be made under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition, FAR 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source. The justification for other than full and open competition is attached to this notice.This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. However, all responsible sources may submit a response which shall be considered by the agency. Please email responses to Connor Tees at Stephen.Tees@usda.gov no later than March 30th, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored.Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Respondents should ensure the information provided is detailed, current, accurate, and complete. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract is solely within the discretion of the