Release Date: June 4, 2012

Response Date: June 7, 2012 at 2:30pm EST via e-mail to
Contracting Specialist

Contracting Office Address: Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Juana Quinteros
[email protected]
Contract Specialist

Description: Service Maintenance Contract for existing BD Biosciences, LSRII Flow Cytometer, Computer Workstation, with 5 lasers, blue, red, green, UV and violet, one year and two option years

This is a Request for Information (RFI) to identify the capabilities of the marketplace of all interested parties.

This request is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any future solicitation. No official solicitation exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of a solicitation. If in the future an official solicitation is released, there is no guarantee that sources responding to this will be included on the source list. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

The FDA makes no implied or in fact contract by issuing this RFI. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the FDA's view of the information received. Do not send any material that requires a non-disclosure agreement or that may be business sensitive. Responses received that include a non-disclosure agreement or identify information that is business sensitive will not be accepted. Responses to this notice will not be returned.

According to FAR Part 10, Market Research, the results of the market research will be used to:

(i) Determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist;
(ii) Determine if commercial items or, to the extent commercial items suitable to meet the agency's needs are not available, non-developmental items are available that-
(A) Meet the agency's requirements;
(B) Could be modified to meet the agency's requirements; or
(C) Could meet the agency's requirements if those requirements were modified to a reasonable extent;
(iii) Determine the extent to which commercial items or non-developmental items could be incorporated at the component level;
(iv) Determine the practices of firms engaged in producing, distributing, and supporting commercial items, such as type of contract, terms for warranties, buyer financing, maintenance and packaging, and marking;
(v) Ensure maximum practicable use of recovered materials and promote energy conservation and efficiency; and
(vi) Determine whether bundling is necessary and justified.
(vii) Assess the availability of electronic and information technology that meets all or part of the applicable accessibility standards issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board at 36 CFR Part 1194.

The extent of market research will vary, depending on such factors as urgency, estimated dollar value, complexity, and past experience. The contracting officer may use market research conducted within 18 months before the award of any task or delivery order if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant. Market research involves obtaining information specific to the item being acquired and should include-
(i) Whether the Government's needs can be met by-
(A) Items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace;
(B) Items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace with modifications; or
(C) Items used exclusively for governmental purposes;
(ii) Customary practices regarding customizing, modifying or tailoring of items to meet customer needs and associated costs;
(iii) Customary practices, including warranty, buyer financing, discounts, contract type considering the nature and risk associated with the requirement, etc., under which commercial sales of the products or services are made;
(iv) The requirements of any laws and regulations unique to the item being acquired;
(v) The availability of items that contain recovered materials and items that are energy efficient;
(vi) The distribution and support capabilities of potential suppliers, including alternative arrangements and cost estimates; and
(vii) Size and status of potential sources.

Mission and Objectives:

The following statement of work outlines the need and requirements for the purchase of a Service Maintenance Contract for existing LSRII, Base year and two option years.

RFI Instructions:

Please complete Part A, Specification Questionnaire, describing your company's capabilities; Part B, Size of Business and Part C, Estimated Dollar Value Range.

Responses must be:

 identified with the RFI number ;
 no more than five (5) pages in length;
 submitted to the email as indicated above.

Responses should not be:
 marketing materials

FDA makes no implied or in fact contract by issuing this RFI. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the FDA's view of the information received.

Part A. Technical Capability

Specification Questionnaire:

Is your company capable of providing a Service Maintenance Contract for existing BD Biosciences, LSRII Flow Cytometer, Computer Workstation, with 5 lasers, blue, red, green, UV and violet, one year and two option years?
Line Item Item Description Delivery time
0001 Base year service maintenance agreement After Receipt of Order
0002 Option Year 1- service maintenance agreement 12 months after base year
0003 Option Year 2- service maintenance agreement 12 months after option year 1

Does this consist of 2 Preventive Maintenance Inspections to be performed during a twelve-month period, including 2 PM Kits?

Does this service include unlimited service visits?

Does your service include manufacture certified technicians?

Does your service include manufacture approved parts?

Does your company respond to respond to requests for emergency on-site service (Monday through Friday, excluding BD Biosciences holidays) within 48 hours?

Does you service cover unlimited phone support?

Does the service maintenance include the use of 4 lasers systems?

Do you have multi-year discounts?

Does your pricing include travel and labor?

Part B. Size of Business

State whether your company is a large business, small business (and also state your under socioeconomic status), College/University, or a non-profit organization.

Part C. Estimated Dollar Value Range

Based on the government's mission, objectives, and scope of work, what dollar value range would you determine to be the most accurate rough estimate.

Under $100K

Over $100K