Inactive

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) requires the... The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) requires the procurement of one (1) SpectraMax iD3 multi-mode microplate detection platform or equivalent to measure the optical density of a small volume of samples in the Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbet Assay (ELISA). This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice, and shall be processed in accordance with FAR Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation, 75N91021Q00074, is issued as a request for quote (RFQ) and includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-05 (03-10-2021), simplified acquisition procedures for commercial items. The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1,000 employees. 1.0 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL This requirement is for the procurement of the brand name or equivalent instrument described in Section 4.0. 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 (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB), is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of physicians, other healthcare providers, and scientists who are dedicated to developing new therapies and improving outcomes for patients with primary brain and spinal cord tumors. In NOB’s research projects, scientists need to measure a very small amount of bioactive proteins produced by cells in culture or in the body of humans and experimental animals, e.g., mice. One commonly used method to measure the amount of the proteins is called Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbet Assay (ELISA), in which the measurement of optical density of the sample solutions are required. The SpectraMax iD3 multi-mode microplate detection platform or equivalent is required to measure the optical density of a small volume (~100 µL) of samples in the ELISA assays. NOB needs to monitor the cleanness of cells that are maintained in culture by monitoring contamination of micro-organisms such as mycoplasma. To detect contaminated micro-organisms in the assay, NOB also requires that ability to measure luminescence or fluorescence signal. The required instrument fulfills the immediate need and will further the mission of NOB’s research projects. 3.0 TYPE OF ORDER This is a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order. 4.0 PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS The following product features/characteristics are required for the SpectraMax iD3 multi-mode microplate detection platform or equivalent: The instrument shall be able to measure absorbance of visible light (optical density), fluorescence signal, and luminescence signal from multiple types of assays. The instrument shall be able to create data files compatible with SoftMaxPro software to be compatible with existing NOB data from similar assays. The instrument shall be able to handle multiple types of well plates such as 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 384 to be able to measure samples in different formats. The instrument shall have detector sensitivity of a dynamic range of 7 decades to be able to provide accurate measurements. The instrument shall have enhanced sensitivity for luminescence-based application to provide high sensitivity. The instrument shall have the capability to read ultra-low volume (2-4µl) DNA/RNA/protein samples to be able to measure samples with small volumes. The instrument shall not exceed the measurements of 41cm (H) x 54 cm (W) x 60cm (D) to accommodate the limited amount of space available in the laboratory. The instrument shall come with a bundled notebook computer to be able to transfer data files to an Apple computer system. 4.1 DELIVERY / INSTALLATION Delivery shall be within 30 business days of the Purchase Order award. The Contractor shall coordinate delivery and tracking information with the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), TBD at award, with tracking information to anticipate delivery to the best extent possible. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included in the quote. Upon delivery, the Contractor shall notify the TPOC to schedule both the installation and training (identified in Section 4.2 below). The installation date and time shall occur within 7 business days after delivery. Installation shall be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified operator. The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment at the following address: 37 Convent Drive Building 37, Room 1016 Bethesda, MD 20892 The TPOC for delivery and installation are below: TBD at award Phone: TBD at award Email: TBD at award 4.2 TRAINING The Contractor shall provide onsite training for a minimum of 5 users within 7 business days after installation. 4.3 WARRANTY The Contractor shall warrant that any instruments, equipment, components, or other supplies (“Supplies”) procured by this purchase are free of defects in design, material, or manufacture for a period of at least 12-months from date of installation. The Contractor shall warrant that all consumables or expendable parts are free of defects in design, material, or manufacture for a period of at least 90 calendar days from date of acceptance by the Government. Supplies which are repaired or replaced shall be warranted for the remainder of the initial warranty period or for 90-days – whichever is greater. At least 12-months of Technical Support shall be included in the warranty. 5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS/EVALUATION QUESTIONS Questions must be submitted electronically via email to Contracting Officer, Adam Hernandez, at adam.hernandez@nih.gov in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), no later than 11:00 A.M. ET, Tuesday, May 4, 2021 (05/04/2021). Please be advised that the Government reserves the right to transmit any questions and answers of a common interest to all prospective Contractors. QUOTATIONS Quotations must be submitted electronically via email to Contracting Officer, Adam Hernandez, at adam.hernandez@nih.gov in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), no later than 11:00 A.M. ET, Monday, May 10, 2021 (05/10/2021). Reference 75N91021Q00074 on all correspondence. BASIS FOR AWARD & EVALUATION The purchase order will be awarded to the firm that submits the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) quotation. A technically acceptable quote is one in which the quoter(s) complies with the Statement of Need (SON) and does not take exception, nor object to any of the terms of the RFQ. Quotes that are not technically acceptable will not be considered for award. Award will be made on an all or none basis. If you are providing an “equal” product, you must submit additional documentation that highlights and describes how your offering is equal in accordance with FAR Clause 52.211-6. Evaluation and award will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of FAR 13.106. The technical evaluation will be a determination based on information furnished by the Contractor. The Government is not responsible for locating or securing any information which is not identified in the quotation. The Government intends to evaluate quotations and make a single award. Quotations should contain the quoter’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to request quote revisions that seek additional price discounts, provide revisions to the technical quote, or clarify aspects of the quote. In the event quote revisions are requested, the Government will not necessarily be seeking revisions from all quoters. The Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest quote; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in quotes received. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS This Request for Quotation (RFQ) does not commit the Government to pay any cost for preparation and submission of a quote. In addition, the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this proposed acquisition. By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation, it is understood that your firm’s quote shall become a part of the official contract file. The Vendor’s quote must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFQ and signed by an official authorized to bind your organization. In addition, it must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 60 days from the date of receipt thereof by the Government. Quotes shall be submitted with a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, located in Section 8.0 of the attached Provisions and Clauses to this RFQ. Price Quote: The price quotation must contain all information necessary to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the prices quoted. The quote must also contain the following information: a. Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN); b. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number; c. Business Size (e.g., small or large) SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS DUE TO COVID-19 Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, please pay close attention to the following delivery instructions and ensure that sufficient information is included in the quote to be considered for an award. Please be aware that due to the fluidity of the existing pandemic, instructions may be updated as needed after award. All quotes must include confirmation that equipment is or will be available for delivery by the due date indicated in Section 4.0. Quoters must confirm: Willingness to store or hold equipment until NCI is ready to accept the equipment at no additional cost. The equipment will not be sold to another company in the event NCI is not ready to accept delivery due to unanticipated changes related to COVID-19. Training as identified in Section 4.0 may be made available and provided to required staff at different times and dates at no additional cost. Communicate and follow instructions from the NCI TPOC to coordinate delivery, installation, and training. The delivery address and TPOC’s information will be provided at time of award and must be included as part of the order/shipping label.