This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified small businesses to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified small businesses 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.

Statement of Need and Purpose:
Majority of the members in the lab focus on molecular biology, biochemistry and are doing lots of experiments to detect protein regulation and protein interaction daily. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are in need of an imaging system working with multiple applications, such as ELISA, Western Blot, to detect protein levels.

Background:
The lab is mainly focus on molecular and cellular research and has a heavy need to detect protein expression using Western Blot. The lab mainly utilizes the chemiluminescence method to detect proteins with films and dark rooms.

Purchase Description: 
Name Brand or Equal
Name Brand: Cytiva
Model:  Amersham ImageQuant 800 Fluor Imager

Salient Characteristics:
Camera lens has the largest aperture, makes this imager the most sensitive one of its kind in the market.

• Capture images quickly and effectively. It has the ability to collect even weak chemiluminescent signals and therefore a viable replacement to the dark room and X ray film developer.
• Image captured is publication quality (317dpi) and the dynamic range of the digitized image is far superior to that attained with film
• With the novel and unique SNOW detection technology, it enables significant extension of the dynamic range, allowing for weak bands to be visualized and quantitated together with the strong bands without compromising quality.
• In addition to chemiluminescence, the IQ800Fluor system is also enable multiplex fluorescence, infrared WB and 96 well plate ELISA assays.
• Image analysis using IQ-TL proved to be quite powerful and user friendly, enabling accurate quantification.

Anticipated Delivery Period: 30 days after receipt of order (ARO)

Capability Statement /Information Sought
Contractors that believe that they possess the ability to provide the required equipment, should submit documentation on their ability to meet each of the project requirements in the response.

The Contractor should directly and specifically state in the, capabilities statement, which project requirements can be meet and/or supplied. The Contractor must also provide the following;

1. DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code);
2. Identify where equipment and parts are manufactured;
3. identify if the proposed equipment is available on GSA; and
4. Provide 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 two (2) page limit. The 2-page limit does not include the cover page or executive summary. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the Notice ID. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. Responses must be submitted electronically to Kristina Jenkins, Contracting Officer, 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.