Inactive

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcem... This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 75N95023Q00110 and the solicitation is issued as request for quotation (RFQ). This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. A fixed-price type of purchase order is contemplated for this requirement. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intramural Research Program (IRP), within the Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (MTMDB), Medicinal Chemistry Section (MCS) requires an onsite and fully functional NMR to further maximize the sections productivity in synthesizing and structurally characterizing novel compounds for the research and treatment of drugs of abuse. This equipment requires routine adjustments through the year that the chemists in MTMDB are not trained to provide. NIDA currently uses a 400MR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer that is provided by and supported through Agilent Technologies, Inc. The most integral part of NIDA’s medicinal chemistry program and especially organic synthesis is the ability to structurally characterize the novel molecules that are prepared in the MCS. A critical tool for this characterization is a sophisticated high field NMR. Every chemist in the MCS laboratory uses the NMR instrument multiple times daily making it an absolute necessity to maintain in optimum condition. When the instrument requires attention outside of the laboratories limited troubleshooting skills, a quick and efficient service turnaround is essential to limit the instrument downtime which in turn limits the research downtime. NIDA’s current MR 400 MHz NMR is exclusive to one vendor (Agilent Technologies Inc.). All hardware and software are proprietary, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the equipment’s warranty, only authorized Agilent service professionals are permitted to perform repair and preventive maintenance service procedures to those instruments that are covered under the agreement. Any service or repair performed by a non-authorized Agilent service professional could void the warranty on the NMR. In past years, service was needed multiple times a year for maintenance, hardware and software repair and upgrades that only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) factory-trained, authorized technicians can provide. This familiarity and expertise are quintessential for the quick repair and needed upkeep of this highly sensitive instrument. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2023-01, with an effective date of December 1, 2022. The associated NAICS code 811210, and the small business size standard $34,000,000. This requirement is not a total small business set-aside. Through this procurement the NIDA intends to purchase Agilent’s “CrossLab Silver Research” service package for the MR 400 NMR Standard System (brand name or equal). The anticipated period of performance for the base period shall be 02/27/2023 through 02/26/2024. Below is a table that contains a list of line item numbers, description of the requirement as well as the potential options (if exercised). Line No. 1 Description FY2023. Preventative maintenance and service for NIDA’s MR400 NMR. 02/27/2023-02/26/2024. N02DA-23-000996. Item No. 400MR-MY12410302 A detailed description of the services to be acquired is attached to this combined synopsis/solicitation, labeled as Attachment #1 – Statement of Work (SOW). The dates for delivery and designated place and point of contract for delivery is identified in the SOW. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021), applies to this acquisition. The Government intends to award a contract resulting from this soliciation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the soliciation will be the most advantageous to the Government, Price and other factors considered. Each quote will be evaluated in strict conformity with the evaluation factors, utilizing qualitative scores and written critiques. The evaluation will be based upon the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Contractor in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the solicitation. The quote will also be evaluated taking into consideration any price reductions for the requirement being ordered. A price reasonableness determination will be made and a best value analysis will be performed. The best value analysis will take into consideration the results of the technical evaluation, price evaluation, and the ability to complete the work within the Government's required schedule. The analysis will document that the award represents the best value to the Government (considering technical evaluation factors, past performance, and price) to meet the Government’s needs. The Government reserves the right to issue an order to the best advantage of the Government, technical merit, price, and other factors considered. All aspects of a quote are subject to discussion, including price, technical approach and terms and conditions. At the completion of discussions, the Contractor will ensure the technical and price quote reflects the mutual understandings of the requirement and if requested, submit a revised technical and price quote to the Contracting Officer. The Government may request clarifying information from the Contractor, as it relates to its quote. If an award will be made without conducting discussions, Contractors may be given the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of their quote (e.g., the relevance of the contract, the Contractor's past performance information, and adverse past performance information to which the Contractor has not previously had an opportunity to respond) or to resolve minor or clerical errors. Discussions will not be held with any Offeror determined to be technically unacceptable. The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards, or no award at all as a result of the solicitation. In addition, the solicitation may be amended or canceled as necessary to meet the Government’s requirements. A tradeoff process shall be used for this acquisition because it has been determined to be in the best interest of the Government to consider award to other than the lowest priced Offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are more important than cost or price. For this acquisition, the following considerations will be part of the trade-off process: Technical Evaluation Factors including Past Performance, and Price. The evaluation factors are used by the technical evaluation committee when reviewing the technical quotes. The factors below are listed with weights assigned indicating relative importance for evaluation purposes, i.e., a higher weight indicates higher importance. 1. Technical Capability and Functionality NIDA shall evaluate the offeror’s technical capability and functionality in relation to the General Requirement as described in the Statement of Work. The Offeror must demonstrate that all service personnel and parts certified manufacturer technicians and parts. 2. Contract Management and Customer Support NIDA shall evaluate the offeror’s ability to provide a high level of customer service, particularly in the area of initial responsiveness and resolution of device and service problems. Specifically, the Government will evaluate the Offeror’s capability based on its description of any applicable warranty, customer support process, and the ability to offer Quarterly Payments. 3. Speed of Service NIDA shall evaluate the offeror’s demonstrate ability to respond to repair and maintenance issues within required timelines established in the SOW. 4. Past Performance The Offeror shall provide past performance information. Past performance information shall cover a minimum of 1 year in relevant services and deliveries of comparable systems. The Offeror shall provide at least one reference for any project identified under the experience factor that has a performance period within the past three years. For each reference, the offeror shall provide: (1) Organization/contracting partner's name; (2) Point of contact's (POC) name and contact information: Current phone numbers. Valid email addresses; (3) Description that precisely explains: General scope of the contract. Specific requirements of the contract. Offerors will be evaluated based on information obtained from references provided by the offeror, other relevant past performance information obtained from other sources known to the Government, and any information supplied by the offeror concerning problems encountered on the identified contracts and corrective action taken. Furthermore, the Government will assess the relative risks associated with each offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror's likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that offeror's record of past performance. The assessment of performance risk is not intended to be the product of a mechanical or mathematical analysis of an offeror's performance on a list of contracts but rather the product of subjective judgment by the Government after it considers all available and relevant information. Offerors price quote will be evaluated for reasonableness. For a price to be reasonable, it must represent a price to the government that a prudent person would pay when consideration is given to prices in the market. Normally, price reasonableness is established through adequate price competition, but may also be determined through cost and price analysis techniques. Price evaluation will not be conducted on any Offeror determined to be technically unacceptable. Offeror shall provide a technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. Offerors may also submit such things as product literature, product samples (if requested), technical features and warranty provisions. The provision at FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEC 2022), is applicable and incorporated by reference into this solicitation. . See Attachment 2. The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See Attachment 2. The FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEC 2022), applies to this acquisition. See Attachment 3. There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the Offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the government requirements stated in this solicitation. Basic cost and price information in the Offeror’s proposal must contain sufficient information to allow the Government to perform a basic analysis of the reasonableness of the Offeror to supply the required goods/services. Any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision may include such factors as: past performance; special features required for effective service coverage; trade-in considerations; warranty considerations; maintenance and service coverage availability; serial, product or catalog number(s); product description; delivery terms, and prompt payment discount terms. The Contractor shall submit its quote electronically. Offerors MUST verify the valid certifications, registrations, and Representation and Certifications from the System of Award Management (SAM) applications at www.SAM.gov, which may be indicated on the Offeror’s cover sheet. In addition the vendor Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All Offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.” The response to the combined synopsis/solicitation is due no later than February 23, 2023 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Proposal submitted after the deadline may not be considered. The response must be submitted in a “read-only” electronic format to the Contract Specialist, Alexander Beraud at alex.beraud@nih.gov. In the response, Offerors shall cite the RFQ number 75N95023Q00110 and the name of firm in the subject line of email submittal. Fax responses will not be accepted. In addition the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size should be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. Request for additional information and clarification may be sent to Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, Alexander Beraud at alex.beraud@nih.gov on or before February 21, 2023 at 12:00 P.M. **Please note, this soliciation has been ammended to revise the due date to February 23, 2023 at 12:00 P.M.** PLEASE SEE ATTACHED COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR ALL RELEVANT DETAILS

Inactive

DESCRIPTION: The National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Branch (NIDA-IRP) Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (MTMDB), is seeking Capability Statements from Small Busine... DESCRIPTION: The National Institute on Drug Abuse – Intramural Research Branch (NIDA-IRP) Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (MTMDB), is seeking Capability Statements from Small Business organizations that are authorized Agilent engineers who have access to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) updates and upgrades and the demonstrated capability of providing maintenance and repair services NIDA’s 400MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR). This is a Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; (2) the availability of capable Small Businesses; HUBZone Small Businesses; Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; 8(a) Small Businesses; Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; Woman-Owned Small Businesses; or Small Disadvantaged Businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The established NAICS code is 811210, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The U.S. Small Business Administration establishes a size standard for 811210 as $30,000,000 in revenue or less. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND OBJECTIVE: The most integral part of NIDA’s medicinal chemistry program and especially organic synthesis is the ability to structurally characterize the novel molecules that are prepared in the MTMDB. A critical tool for this characterization is a sophisticated high field NMR. Every chemist in the MTMDB laboratory uses the NMR instrument multiple times daily making it an absolute necessity to maintain in optimum condition. When the instrument requires attention outside of the laboratories limited troubleshooting skills, a quick and efficient service turnaround is essential to limit the instrument downtime which in turn limits the research downtime. NIDA’s current MR 400 MHz NMR is exclusive to one vendor (Agilent Technologies Inc.). All hardware and software are proprietary, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the equipment’s warranty, only authorized Agilent service professionals are permitted to perform repair and preventive maintenance service procedures to those instruments that are covered under the agreement. Any service or repair performed by a non-authorized Agilent service professional could void the warranty on the NMR. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor shall provide: Fast response ensures lab equipment is up and running quickly. Contract-level preferred response, Virtual Tech Support (hardware and software), Same-day remote repair All required onsite repair visits All instrument parts, consumables, and supplies required for repair. Preferred response over time-and-materials calls Annual onsite preventive maintenance Compliance services Qualification (IQ/OQ, OQ), Requalification after major repair (RQ), Software maintenance agreement (SMA) Contractor will perform preventative maintenance and repairs during regular Monday-Friday business hours, excluding Federal holidays. Service coverage is provided for the Console, Magnet, and up to four room temperature probes. The service plan shall include all labor, service, and parts. The Contractor shall make obtain any required parts within the targeted 48 hours of the service technician assessment. The technicians must be factory certified. Travel within the specified travel zone is included. All services provided under the Service Agreement will be performed in a workmanlike manner. Technical performance requirements include system coverage on the subject equipment by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) factory-trained, authorized technicians and providers of any required parts and software or proprietary diagnostic software and software enhancements must be OEM certified and compatible with the subject equipment. The Contractor shall provide the required services as described above at fixed pricing is anticipated on an annual basis. Documentation shall be provided by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or point of contact (POC) show they completed the work. The service technician is to present a service ticket that briefly details the work performed to the POC for signature and a copy of the ticket is to be left with the POC. The Contractor shall submit a detailed written report of any service to be submitted to the COR, or a delegated entity, within 24 hours of service being performed. INSTRUCTIONS: Capability statement /information sought. Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. The established NAICS code is 811210. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products and support services specified in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details of the respondents’ (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training; (b) capability to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) compliance with requirements: Vendors must identify and demonstrate specifically how they will meet the requirements listed above. Any other specific and relevant information about this particular area of procurement that would improve our consideration and evaluation of the information presented is desirable. Documentation may include, but not be limited to, contracts both Government and commercial the organization performed, references, i.e., names, titles, telephone numbers and any other information serving to document the organizations capability, e.g., awards, commendations, etc. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. Any business concerns that believe they possess the capability necessary to successfully undertake the work described above must SUBMIT CAPABILITY STATEMENTS ELECTRONICALLY to the Contract Specialist, Rob Bailey at Alexander.Beraud@nih.gov, NO LATER THAN 1:00 p.m. EST on February 10, 2023. The Subject line for the submission should include this Sources Sought Number and organization name. NIDA will not accept paper or faxed capability statements. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. 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, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR ALL RELEVANT DETAILS