Introduction

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. 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. 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.

Project Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Vaccine Research Center (VRC), Flow Cytometry Core (FCC) is seeking small business sources to acquire on a brand name only basis one (1) Becton Dickinson (BD) FACSymphony A5 SE Cell Analyzer system for its facility at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the Bethesda, Maryland campus to maintain continuity of science, data integrity, experimental compatibility between existing equipment as well as critical protocols, and to prevent variability in data. The facility requires this instrument to increase analysis capabilities to 50 parameters and to comply with developed panels currently run on production analyzers and cell sorters within the same facility.

Specifically, NIAID, VRC, FCC is seeking one (1) BD FACSymphony A5 SE Cell Analyzer 50 parameter system that includes 5 lasers, a workstation, 34-inch monitor, Coherent Connection with Integration Kit, and a twelve (12) month warranty. The system must include all components per the attached Bill of Materials and meet all the required minimum technical requirements listed below:

• Must use high quality photomultiplier tubes (PMT) known as the GaASP and GaA.  These detects are tested in our prototype and are proven technology.  These detectors are compatible with our existing instruments and previous panel development.  Therefore, the impact on existing panels and future panels will be minimal.
• Utilizes an LED pulser for automated setup, monitoring, and quality control.
• Uses standard FACS-DIVA software, which is compatible with existing instruments, including the BD-S6 cell sorter.  This workflow pipeline is required for continuity of cellular genetic experiments.
• Can process Flow Cytometry Standard files in version.3.1 for transfer of data using area, height, and width signals.

The Government anticipates making a single award, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order.

Anticipated Period of Performance

It is anticipated that an award will be made on or about September 22, 2023. Delivery of the BD FACSymphony A5 SE Cell Analyzer system is preferred as soon as possible and required within 90 days. The twelve (12) month warranty will begin upon installation or thirty days after the date of shipment, whichever occurs first.

Capability Statement/Information Sought

All capable small business vendors should respond with a capability statement of no more than six (6) pages by August 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM. (No large businesses should respond to this announcement).

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide a BD FACSymphony A5 SE Cell Analyzer system which meets the minimum requirements and performance capabilities listed above, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI number, and company location(s).
2. Type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Other than Small, etc.)  pursuant to the applicable NAICS code.
3. Identification of any Best-In-Class contract vehicles including Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) (e.g., GSA schedule) they may possess or are aware of that would support this possible requirement. If your organization does not provide the products/services under a GWAC, please identify availability as OPEN MARKET ONLY.
4. Tailored capability statement addressing the capability of the BD FACSymphony A5 SE Cell Analyzer system to meet NIAID’s minimum requirements. Capability document shall be no more than six pages.
5. Place of manufacture for the FACSymphony A5 SE Cell Analyzer system and components.
6. Evidence that the organization is an authorized reseller or manufacturer of the BD FACSymphony A5 Cell Analyzer system. Authorized resellers shall identify the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the equipment proposed in their capability statement. Only OEM products are acceptable.

Submission Instructions

Interested businesses who consider themselves qualified to provide the above listed BD FACSymphony A5 SE system are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by August 15, 2023, at 12:00 PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be emailed to Kathy Song at [email protected].

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 pre-solicitation 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).