Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity (NORA) MEI Racer Edging Machine Maintenance

The Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity (NORA) in Yorktown, Virginia, requires a twelve-month preventive maintenance and technical support contract for five robotic MEI Racer Edging Machines installed in its Finishing Department. These machines, procured from MEI Systems, Inc. in January 2019, are critical to the Department of Defense Optical Fabrication Enterprise, enabling the annual production of approximately 1.5 million prescription eyewear units for Navy and Army personnel. Due to the proprietary nature of the machines’ software, licensing, and service protocols, the procurement is being conducted on a sole source basis under FAR 6.102-1, with MEI Systems, Inc. identified as the only authorized provider capable of ensuring form, fit, and function compatibility with the existing systems. The contract, valued at $185,000 and funded through Navy Operation and Maintenance, Fiscal Year 2026, includes software updates, technical support, and repairs using exclusive components and licensed tools, all aimed at minimizing downtime and sustaining operational readiness. The work will be performed on-site at NORA, with no option periods, extensions, or alternative vendors permitted under the terms of the justification. No formal contractclauses, packaging standards, preservation requirements, or marking specifications are defined in the solicitation, as the nature of the service revolves entirely around proprietary system compatibility and vendor exclusivity. The evaluation process is non-competitive, with no listed evaluation factors, weights, or award criteria beyond the validated sole source justification. The sole offeror, MEI Systems, Inc., holds the CAGE code 8HY12 and has certified that proprietary data and exclusive technical control limit competition. While the contract does not specify detailed staffing requirements, security clearances, or invoicing procedures, it relies on the contractor’s expertise to deliver uninterrupted maintenance in accordance with MEI’s internal specifications. The point of contact for the solicitation is Austin Waller, Contracting Specialist, with electronic submission required via SAM.gov by the deadline of May 25, 2026. The contract administration is overseen by the Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, with Ernest Walters serving as the Government representative at NORA, though full contact details for the COR or PCO remain undefined in the documentation.