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This Small Business Sources Sought Notice (SBSS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Insti... This Small Business Sources Sought Notice (SBSS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified small business concerns including 8(a), HUBZone or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business concerns that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract based on responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This requirement is assigned North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516 with a size standard of 1,000 employees is being considered. NCI may issue a request for quotation (RFQ) as a result of this Sources Sought Notice. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NCI’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. 1.0 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL This requirement is for the procurement of two Monolith or equivalent instruments for measuring the binding affinities of a variety of proteins by microscale thermophoresis as described in section 3.0. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999) is applicable to this requirement. 2.0 BACKGROUND The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Lab of Cell Biology (LCB), requires the procurement of two instruments — one with label-free detection by thermophoresis and one with labeled detection by thermophoresis — for measuring the binding affinities of a variety of proteins. Several LCB researchers study binding affinity to learn about structural biology, structure-function relationships, and the intermolecular interactions that drive biological processes. The affinity values can guide decisions about the biological relevance of a particular molecule, such as whether the molecule under investigation warrants further screening or characterization. Not all detection methods currently available to LCB allow for accurate affinity measurements of critical protein pathways and targets. Protein-small molecule interactions are important for discovery of novel therapeutic drugs. Additionally, better understanding protein-protein interactions helps better explain the underlining protein pathways. It is because of this void in LCB’s existing technologies that NCI is seeking additional instruments to facilitate both labeled and label-free determination of binding affinities. Some situations require labels (fluorescent probes that attach to a target), so that LCB can identify these targets of interest. The need for a labeled method is driven by the need for flexibility to measure protein-protein interactions, and other interactions in more realistic matrices (cell lysate, serum, plasma, or other complex bioliquids). Other cases require label-free detection, where LCB can detect the tryptophan intrinsic to a target, as non-intrinsic labels themselves can perturb a measurement. LCB’s label-free need is driven by protein-small molecule interactions, looking for targeted therapies, and their respective affinities to their targets. 3.0 PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS The following product features/characteristics are required: Both instruments shall measure binding affinities by measuring microscale thermophoresis (MST). This method is based on the measurement of the movement of molecules in microscopic temperature gradient. This mode of measurement is complementary to existing technologies in the lab. Each instrument shall include control software, instrument control computers, and data analysis software. One (1) NT.LabelFree Label-free instrument: The Label-free instrument shall use an infrared radiation (IR) laser to generate thermophoresis, and detect the protein where an intrinsic probe, Tryptophan, is excitable using ultraviolet (UV). The instrument shall measure protein-small molecule interactions. LCB requires thermophoresis to determined bound and unbound states of notoriously unstable biomolecules. Measuring difficult biomolecule targets in a label-free format is incredibly important for certain protein-small molecule interactions where labels are not possible or affect small molecule binding. The instrument shall measure binding affinities (Kd) from 10 nanomolar to 500 millimolar. The instrument shall require a minimum of 4 microliters (µl) per data point. Purified proteins can be difficult to obtain, so the quantity used in experiments can be limiting. Therefore, LCB requires measurements on small sample quantities. The instrument shall be immobilization-free. The ability to measure binding without immobilization to a surface provides an environment closer to the native environment for the interaction. Immobilization risks problems by sterically interfering with the interaction limits the experimental range to molecules that allow immobilization. Measurements shall be able to be completed in 30 minutes or less to increase throughput of measurements. As assays will be performed for screening small molecule inhibitors, it is not feasible for measurements to require hours of run time for the large number of measurements to be made. The instrument shall be able to measure binding affinities for molecules with molecular weight range of 101 – 107 Daltons and size range of 0.1 nanometer – 1 micrometer. These are the ranges of molecules that need to be analyzed in the laboratory. The instrument shall be capable of temperature control in the range 22-45 (± 0.3) °C. The ability to precisely control the temperature is critical particularly for comparing across multiple protein mutation states or small molecule interactions, as binding reactions are sensitive to conditions. The instrument shall be able to analyze up to 16 samples per run. Medium-throughput analysis capabilities are required for protein-drug screening experiments that will be regularly performed. The label-free instrument shall not exceed 13 inches wide x 18 inches high x 20 inches deep. These dimensions are required to fit in the available laboratory space. One (1) NT.115 Blue/Red Labeled instrument: The Labeled instrument shall use an infrared (IR) laser to generate thermophoresis and detect the protein where a non-intrinsic probe is excitable using visible wavelength (excite 488nm (blue) and (647nm (red)). LCB requires this to measure protein-protein interactions, which would not be possible using the label-free, UV-detection of tryptophan. The instrument shall measure binding affinities (Kd) from 1 nanomolar to 500 millimolar. The instrument shall require 1-10 nanomolar of the labeled interactor and a dilution series of the unlabeled binding partner starting at 20-fold higher than the expected Kd. The instrument shall require a minimum of 4 microliters of labeled interactor per data point. Purified proteins can be difficult to obtain, so the quantity used in experiments can be limiting. Therefore, there is a need for measurements on small sample quantities. The instrument shall be immobilization-free. The ability to measure binding without immobilization to a surface provides an environment closer to the native environment for the interaction. Immobilization risks problems by sterically interfering with the interaction limits the experimental range to molecules that allow immobilization. Measurements shall be able to be completed in 30 minutes or less to increase throughput of measurements. As assays will be performed for screening small molecule inhibitors, it is not feasible for measurements to require hours of run time for the large number of measurements to be made. The instrument shall be able to measure binding affinities for molecules with molecular weight range of 101 – 107 Daltons and size range of 0.1 nanometer – 1 micrometer. These are the ranges of molecules that need to be analyzed in the laboratory. The instrument shall be capable of temperature control in the range 22-45 (± 0.3) °C. The ability to precisely control the temperature is critical particularly for comparing across multiple protein mutation states or small molecule interactions, as binding reactions are sensitive to conditions. The instrument shall be able to analyze up to 16 samples per run. Medium-throughput analysis capabilities are required for protein-drug screening experiments that will be regularly performed. The instrument shall not exceed 13 inches wide x 18 inches high x 20 inches deep. These dimensions are required to fit in the available laboratory space. Labeled experiments shall be performed in cell lysate or complex bioliquids. Experiments using cell lysate is important to be able to study binding interactions under more physiological conditions. 3.1 DELIVERY / INSTALLATION Delivery shall be within 90 calendar days of purchase order award. Upon delivery, the Contractor shall notify the NCI Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to schedule the installation date and time that shall occur within 14 days after delivery. Installation shall be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified operator. The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment at the following address: Laboratory of Cell Biology Center for Cancer Research National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health 37 Convent Drive Building 37, Rm 2140 Bethesda, MD 20892 3.2 TRAINING Within 30 days after installation, 1 day of training shall be provided on site for at least one primary user for each instrument (i.e., two days of training total). 3.3 WARRANTY A minimum of 12-months warranty from the date of installation shall be included, which covers the cost of repair and/or replacement, including labor or any defect in workmanship or parts. 4.0 RESPONSE DELIVERY POINT All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the unique specifications described herein. All questions must be in writing and should be emailed to Adam Hernandez, Contract Specialist at adam.hernandez@nih.gov by 11:00 A.M. EST on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 (03/18/2020). A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the System for Awards Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference number 75N91020Q00032 on all correspondence. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, an RFQ may be published. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation(s).