Inactive

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 the availability and capabil... 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 the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond. For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Background:The Therapeutic Development Branch (TDB) Biology Group has 15 members who all have needs to use the high-speed confocal imaging system (e.g., Opera Phenix® Plus). Most of the projects in the TDB Biology group require performing high throughput imaging analyses of patient derived cells and high throughput screening of compounds using the imaging system. For example, the ALGS CRADA drug development project uses the human liver cells generated from ALGS patient iPS cells as a disease mode that needs several fluorescence imaging assays for compounds screens and studies of mechanisms of action. For the ALGS CRADA drug development project, we are currently using the Opera Phenix in FGL for an RNA FISH assay to examine JAG1 expression. We had tried this assay on our ImageXpress instruments, but were not able to resolve the JAG1 RNA foci. For this reason, we have to use the Opera Phenix. The NGLY1 drug development project has heavily relied on the high speed and confocal imaging system for the development of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy. The PAVE-GT gene therapy project also needs to use patient derived cells and imaging-based assays for the assay development. For the PAVE-GT project, we are imaging acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering phenotype in differentiated myotubes, which the ImageXpress was not able to provide enough resolution/sensitivity for. For this assay, we are currently using the Opera Phenix in building B biology lab. The TDB Biology group is also supporting several drug repurposing projects including the COVID-19 projects. In addition, TDB Biology group recently has started to work on the biomarker development for rare disease drug discovery that uses the patient derived cells, and also requires high throughput confocal imaging system. In summary, the high speed and confocal imaging system such as Opera Phenix imaging system is a necessary instrument for the TDB Biology group because the current available imaging system in the lab does not have the needed image resolution, assay sensitivity, speed, and confocal capability for these projects/assays described here. Purpose and Objectives: NCATS seeks to purchase one (1) Opera Phenix® Plus with 2 Cameras and 4 High Power Lasers Microplate Confocal Imager for High Throughput Screening Project Requirements: Brand Name or Equal to the description provided in the DRAFT PURCHASE DESCRIPTION. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that “equal” products must meet are provided in the attached DRAFT PURCHASE DESCRIPTION. Delivery Date: Inside Delivery and installation is required within approximately 4-6 weeks from receipt of award by the vendor between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except on Federal Holidays). Other important considerations: In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25. Capability statement /information sought. Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services 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 notice number. 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 and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Kaitlyn Landi, Contract Specialist, at e-mail address kaitlyn.landi@nih.gov. The response must be received on or before July 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. “Disclaimer and Important Notes: 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 presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.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).”