Inactive

PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE **NOTICE OF INTENT NOI-NIAID-23-2182104 NAICS – 334516 This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)... PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE **NOTICE OF INTENT NOI-NIAID-23-2182104 NAICS – 334516 This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Emulate Inc to procure the upgrade of four (4) existing Zoë CM1 pump modules to the Zoë CM2 models; these are utilized by the Integrated Research Facility (IRF) and NIAID’s Division of Clinical Research to test efficacy of drug candidates in support of medial countermeasure development which aims at improving patients’ clinical outcomes. The IRF has the first-generation Zoë CM1 modules, however, Emulate already phased out the sale of Zoë CM1 and will eventually phase out the service support of these models. Upgrading to the Zoë CM2 models will ensure that IRF can continue to meet the needs of the collaborators pertaining to Organ-on-Chips projects. Zoë CM2 is a component of the Human Emulation System, which also includes the Organ-Chip, the Pod and the Orb. The upgraded Zoë CM2 pumps provide the capabilities of automating the precise micro-physiological conditions needed to culture up to 12 chips by controlling the flow of nutrient-rich media at a rate determined by the user and provides the mechanical forces that emulate the physical forces experienced in vivo by tissue. At the IRF, Emulate Organs-on-Chips are currently being used to study the effects of viral infection on a cellular, organ, and systemic level which will improve our understanding of viral pathogenesis. Furthermore, Organ-on-Chip technology is used to test efficacy of drug candidates in support of medial countermeasure development which aims at improving patients’ clinical outcomes as a key mission of the IRF and NIAID’s Division of Clinical Research. The second-generation Zoë CM2 pump uses an integrated platform in place of complex, manual, and error-prone syringe pump and tubing setups to support the microenvironment within the chips. It allows for the independent control of the flow rate in each channel or establish an air-liquid interface within the chips. It can adjust the frequency and strain of the cyclic stretch to recreate the mechanical forces of breathing or peristalsis. The pump uses a proprietary regulate cycle to reduce bubbles in the chips, which is a common point of failure. Specific to the CM-2 model, the module is equipped with cloud-based control that will allow the user to plan, monitor and modify the experiment using an internet-based Zoë Manager web application. Without Emulate’s Zoë module the Human Emulate System cannot be operated; it is far more cost effective to purchase upgrades vs. new CM2 systems. The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-23-2182104) to Dana Monroe at dana.monroe@nih.gov by 5:00 pm eastern time Wednesday, July 26, 2023. All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.