Inactive

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) needs t... The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) needs to procure an Agilent xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA) Dual Purpose (DP) system or equivalent to perform multiple types of in vitro assays, including the ability to provide label-free monitoring of both the tumor cells and the immune cells of interest. 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, 75N91021Q00181, 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 (07-12-2021), 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 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) studies and develops immunotherapies for brain tumor focusing specifically on CAR T cells. CAR T cells are genetically engineered T-cells that have an artificial T cell receptor that help it target and damage/kill caner cells. POB studies these CAR T cells and their interaction with other immune cells in the brain tumor microenvironment. The ultimate goal is to translate laboratory-based discoveries into early-phase clinical trials. To better study and understand these cellular interactions, POB requires the ability to peform multiple types of in vitro assays. Some of these in vitro assays include the following: cytotoxicity assays (ex. how well the CAR T cells damages and/or kills the tumor cells) cell-invasion assays (ex. how well a CAR T cell or other immune cells invades the target cell or layer of target cells) migration assay (ex. how cells of interest such as immune cell migrate towards a chemical concentration gradient (chemotaxis) or extacellular matrix (ECM) gradient). Tradition methods to track cells of interest in the above mentioned assays involve the labeling of these cells, such as using fluorescence agents. However, it has been shown that for many types of cells, the labeling can stress the cells, effecting their ability to grow and/or behave “normally”. Therefore, POB requires the procurement of one (1) ) Agilent xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA) dual purpose (DP) system or equivalent to perform all the above mentioned assays including the ability to provide label-free monitoring of both the tumor cells and the immune cells of interest. This allows for the cells to grow and “behave” without the deleterious effect of labeling. 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 Agilent xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA) dual purpose (DP) system or equivalent: The unit shall be able to perform the following multiple assays: Cytoxicity assays Cell Invasion assays Migration assays The unit shall be able to monitor and track cells that are NOT artificially labeled. Data shall be recorded in real-time and cover time frames anywhere from minutes, hours, days or even weeks. The units shall be able to be contained in a standard CO2 incubator. Software shall allow for real-time control and monitoring as well as real-time data analysis (in addition to post-experiment data analysis). The electrode pattern in the sample plates shall cover approximately 70-80% of the surface area of the plate wells. This ensures maximizing sensitivity and reproducibility. All components of the plates shall be biocompatible and the plates shall be sterile and tissue-culture treated. Plates shall be designed so cells can be imaged directly on the devices through a specially designed area using a standard laboratory microscope. The dynamic range of the system shall be close to 2 logs of cell growth – from 100 cells per well to confluence (depending on cell type). The instrument shall fit in a standard tissue culture incubator and is specifically designed to withstand the high temperature and humidity. The system shall be able to apply to a broad range of research applications, including cell invasion and migration, cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, RTK, GPCR, RNAi functional assays, natural killer cell activity, ADCC, CDC, viral neutralizing antibody detection, and bacterial toxin neutralizing antibody detection. The system shall be designed for multiple users with 3 working cradles to optimize use within the research group. The data analysis software package shall be fully integrated into the control software and offer specialized algorithms such as – slope, cell index doubling time, and EC50/ IC50 calculations based on maximum cell index, minimum cell index, area under the curve, and time dependent cell index values. The system shall be designed such that there are minimal moving parts to reduce service repairs and does not require any calibration to maintain proper function. 4.1 DELIVERY / INSTALLATION Delivery shall be within 60 business days of Purchase Order Award. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included in the quote. Upon delivery, the Contractor shall notify the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), TBD at award, to schedule the installation date and time that shall occur within 5 business 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: 10 Center Drive Building 10-CRC Room 1W-5832 Bethesda, MD 20892 4.2 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. The Contractor shall coordinate one (1) Preventative Maintenance (PM) visit with the TPOC during the warranty period. 5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS/EVALUATION 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 AM EST, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 (08/11/2021). Reference 75N91021Q00181 on all correspondence. 5.1 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. 5.2 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 attached to this RFQ. 5.3 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 4.1. 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. Communicate and follow instructions from the NCI TPOC to coordinate delivery and installation. 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.