This is a Pre-solicitation Notice, not a request for quotations (RFQ). 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 BD Biosciences to procure the FacSymphony S6 Flow Cytometry Cell Sorter system (Quantity 3). Market research indicated that the BD Biosciences FacSymphony S6 Flow Cytometer System is the only flow cytometer system which can meet the government's requirement.

The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire 30-parameter capable FACSymphony S6 Flow Cytometer Cell Sorter (Quantity 3) to increase the cell sorting capabilities of the NIAID Vaccine Research Center Flow Cytometry Core Facility and to comply with developed panels currently running on production analyzers. In order to support existing research projects, to provide seamless transition to the new equipment and to maintain experimental compatibility between existing equipment and the requested FACSymphony Flow Cytometer, the laboratory requires the following salient characteristics:
(1) Must be upgradable to simultaneous 9 laser capability
(2) Must contain simultaneous 30 parameter detection of 28 fluorescence markers plus forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) signals. Upgradable to at least 50 parameters with increased laser capability.
(3) Must have up to 5-lasers with the following wavelength (nm) and power output maximum (milliwatts):
a. 405 nm, 100 milliwatts
b. 488 nm, 500 milliwatts
c. 628 nm, 1000 milliwatts
d. 532 nm, 1000 milliwatts
e. 355 nm, 60 milliwatts
(4) Must have high-speed plate cell sorting (20-30 sec. per 96 well plate) and rapid cell indexing technology.
(5) Must be capable of sorting 16 cell generations (e.g. cell populations) defined by a gating hierarchy with multiple combinations gates used (e.g. "and", "or", and "not").
(6) Must have LED pulsing for Quality Control (QC) by measuring relative background and noise using automated voltage ranging.
(7) Must be able to do cluster cell sorting and automated gating from a cluster analysis platform (e.g. FlowSOM, SPAD, tSNE, etc.).

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6. 302-1 only one responsible source and no other supply or service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ). All responsible sources that could provide comparable supplies that meet the requirement of the salient characteristics listed above, may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NIAID-NOI19-1974446) to Julie Yun at [email protected] by 8:00AM Eastern Monday, July 29, 2019. All responses received by the closing date of this Notice 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

SPECIAL NOTICE
Offerors are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of responses. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your response, you will be consenting to disclosure of your offer to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.