Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Reference Number: SBSS75N95023Q00146 Title: Service Contract for Bruker Biospec 70/30 MRI Console, Cryocooler and Coils Classification Code: J066 Maintenance, Repa... SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Reference Number: SBSS75N95023Q00146 Title: Service Contract for Bruker Biospec 70/30 MRI Console, Cryocooler and Coils Classification Code: J066 Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment- Instruments and Laboratory Equipment NAICS Codes: 811210 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance Description: This is a Small Business 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 small business sources; (2) whether they are 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. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. 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. Background: The cryocooler cools the infrared radiation shield inside the MRI scanner’s superconducting magnet in lieu of a liquid nitrogen bath and must be maintained in working condition 24 hours a day. Failure of this equipment will cause the magnet to rapidly lose liquid helium and will result in a sudden, catastrophic loss of superconductivity and magnetic field strength known as a “quench”. To recommission an MRI magnet after a quench, if possible, requires months of down time and expensive service charges. Thus, purchasing a service contract to keep the magnet’s cryocooler hardware running is very worthwhile. Due to the restricted availability of replacement and upgrade parts, software, diagnostic tools and factory-trained technicians, all maintenance must be carried out by Bruker-certified personnel. NIA anticipates that the workload on this scanner will increase considerably in the near future and so it must be kept in operation with minimal downtime. Thus, rapid availability of replacement parts and factory-trained technicians to perform preventive maintenance and to diagnose and remedy any functional problems is essential. Purpose and Objectives: This requirement is for an extended service contract for our Biospec 70/30 MRI console, cryocooler and associated gradient, shim and radio-frequency coils, all located at the NIH Biomedical Research Center (BRC) in Baltimore, Maryland. Because this equipment is absolutely vital and central to the research of several NIA/IRP laboratories, which involves time-critical experiments on irreplaceable animals, it is essential that this instrument be kept fully functional at all times. For these reasons, NIA requires an extended service contract for this equipment. All on-site work shall be carried out by authorized Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified factory-trained technicians. Project requirements: See the attached Statement of Work for a full discussion of the requirements for this project. Anticipated period of performance: Base period of 12 months with the potential for two (2) 12-month options for a total contract duration of 36 months as follows: Base: 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024 Option Period 1: 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025 Option Period 2: 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026 Other important considerations: The current contract covering services for this agreement expires on 05/31/2023. Performance must begin on 06/01/2023 with no interruption in services. Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide a capability statement that provides information regarding respondents’: (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information; The respondent must also provide their SAM.gov UEI, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code, and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. 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. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. The response must be submitted by e-mail to Samson Shifaraw, Contract Specialist, at samson.shifaraw@nih.gov. Responses must be received on or before March 17, 2023 at 1:00 pm 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 Federal Business Opportunities. 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).