National Institute on Drug Abuse, Office of Acquisitions- Neurosciences, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions on behalf of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Lonza Walkersville, Inc., 8830 Biggs Ford Road, Walkersville, MD, 21793, for their proprietary Nucleofection instrument. This instrument detects over 400 different cell lines and 100 primary cells for the high-throughput, accurate and quantitative analysis of mRNA, genomic DNA, siRNA and proteins in biological and experimental samples so as to identify biomarkers of disease progression and to study disease pathogenesis of AIDS and other retroviral infections of the brain. In addition, the Nuclefection product is effective in transfecting non-dividing cells because no cell division is required for stable integration. The NINDS is studying AIDS dementia and other retroviral brain infections as it is suggested that the virus causes damage to the brain early in the course of infection.
The acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition using FAR 12 procedures and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government.

Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NOI2163771 may be submitted to the NIDA, Station Support/Simplified Acquisition Branch, 31 Center Drive, Bldg 31, Room 1B59, Bethesda, MD 20892-2080, and Attention: Susan A. Nsangou, Contracting Officer.