Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT This contract action is for the acquisition of supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the author... NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT This contract action is for the acquisition of supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1). The National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), Office of Acquisitions (OA) intends to award a single source purchase order to TSE Systems Inc., 186 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005-1220, for the Dynamics of Gene Expression Heterogeneity. The National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) intends to award a Purchase Order to TSE Systems Inc. Dynamics of Gene Expression Heterogeneity at NIEHS, Research Triangle Park campus. The provided supplies and services are proprietary, and the services will be provided for the period of 60-90 days. Item No. Description Qty. 001 Environmental Chamber, air cooled, medium 1 Ea. With temperature, humidity and light control For 12 mouse cage setups. The North American industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1,000 employee’s. NO SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) IS AVAILABLE. It has been determined that TSE Systems Inc., is the only known responsible source capable of providing the required services and no other services will satisfy the agency's requirements. The purpose of this Purchase Order is NIEHS seeks to Expression levels of a particular gene vary naturally between cells of the same type, even within a particular tissue. Although this is largely due to the random nature of biological processes, certain factors can exacerbate the levels of variability in gene expression between cells. NIEHS hypothesize that circadian disruption can further increase the variability in expression of certain genes. To test the hypothesis, mice need to be housed in specially designed circadian cabinets, which allow the investigator to manipulate the light cycle within the cabinets, while leaving the room lights unaltered. Importantly, these chambers must be light-tight, fully ventilated, and have integrated temperature, humidity, and light level sensors to comply with animal housing regulations. In addition, they have to accommodate specific phenotyping cages that have dimensions larger than a regular cage, especially with regards to vertical clearance, and require cables passes for air and power to each cage. TSE is the only manufacturer NIEHS found that has the complete system ready to deliver that is compatible with these cages without requiring extensive customization. Furthermore, TSE Systems Inc. is the only manufacturer to offer additional features such as temperature control of the chamber itself, allowing mice to be housed in thermoneutral conditions, which NIEHS will l require for further investigation of metabolic gene expression heterogeneity. This notice of intent is not a solicitation or request for quotes. Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting NIEHS' requirement, as stated herein, may submit their corporate capabilities, which, if received by the response date of this announcement, may be considered. Responses to this posting must be in writing and shall be emailed to Tanya Redfearn at Shields3@niehs.nih.gov and are due by 11:00AM ET on July 27, 2020. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.