This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with FAR 13 and additional information included in this notice. The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-06.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. A SEPARATE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT (I.E. STANDARD FORM) WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

The solicitation number for this acquisition is RFQ-FDA-75F40121Q00118 and is being issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). The NAICS Code for this solicitation: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The Small Business Size Standard is 1,000 employees.

This is a brand-name or equal 100% small business set-aside. Simplified acquisition procedures will be utilized.

The U. S Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Acquisitions and Grant Services (OAGS) requires one (1) Synoptics G:Box Chemi XX6 Imaging System or Equal in accordance with the requirements identified herein.  

Inquires

Offerors must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing electronically to [email protected]. Questions must be received no later than August 10, 2021 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, known as CFSAN, is one of six product-oriented centers, in addition to a nationwide field force, that carry out the mission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA is a scientific regulatory agency responsible for the safety of the nation's domestically produced and imported foods, cosmetics, drugs, biologics, medical devices, and radiological products.

The Center provides services to consumers, domestic and foreign industry and other outside groups regarding field programs; agency administrative tasks; scientific analysis and support; and policy, planning and handling of critical issues related to food and cosmetics. Most Center staff members work in the Center's headquarters in College Park, Maryland. The Center also operates research facilities in Laurel, Maryland; Bedford, IL, and in Dauphin Island, Alabama.   

CFSAN’s Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment’s (OARSA’s) Division of Molecular Biology (DMB) is tasked to develop new assays for the detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses commonly found in food products, water, and soil. As a result, to fulfill its mission, the DMB requires a Synoptics G:Box XX6 Imaging System or equal. The system will be utilized to acquire images of DNA gels, protein gels, and microbial colonies. In addition, the system will be utilized to complete microbiol plate counts. Plate counts are necessary to determine viability of bacterial species under altered environmental conditions.

Note: Reference attachment titled, "RFQ-FDA-75F40121Q00118," for complete combined synopsis/solicitation.