(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N95021Q00194 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation.

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5—Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) COMBINED SYNOPSIS SOLICITATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME).

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Office of Acquisition (OA), on behalf of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (including Brand-Name) to ProteinSimple, 3001 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134, for the purpose of purchasing a Western Blot System.

This acquisition is conducted as non-competitive for a commercial item or service and is conducted pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2021-05, with effective date March 10, 2021.

(iv) The associated NAICS code 334516 and the small business size standard is 1,000 Employees.

(v) The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is requesting the purchase of a new automated protein analysis system that is needed to update current technologies for Western Blot, and protein analysis currently used in the NIA’s Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics.

Project Requirements:

Salient characteristics of the requested Western Blot System include:

• One (1) Jess Western System (with PC); Part # 004-650
• Three (3) Anti-Mouse Detection Module for Jess/Wes, Peggy Sue, or Sally Sue; Part # DM-002
• Three (3) 12- 230 kDa Jess/Wes Separation Module, 8 x 25  capillary cartridges; Part # SM-W004
• Jess Training (Virtual); Part # PS-N007
• Ability to run up to 25 protein samples
• Capable of loading as low as 0.3 μg protein per sample
• Must be able to detect protein bands from 6 kD up to 300 kD
• Option to use either chemiluminescence or fluorescence for protein detection
• Multiplexing capabilities for a minimum of 2 samples
• Protein normalization
• Visualize bands in traditional Western format as well as lane view option to compare band intensity in a graphical format
• Software included for protein analysis as well as multi-user options for storing data
• Power must be compatible with US power sources
• Must have USB port for data retrieval

All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with Government specifications. At a minimum, all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. The Contractor shall guarantee
that all required materials shall be delivered in immediate usable and acceptable condition.

Anticipated delivery: 30 days after receipt of order.

(vi) Delivery shall be to:

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Attn: Julie Mattison
Elmer School Road
BG 103 RM 105
Poolesville, MD 20837

(vii) The Government anticipates award of a firm fixed-price purchase order for this acquisition with an anticipated delivery date of 30 days after receipt of purchase order. Delivery will be f.o.b. destination.

(viii) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those `provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at these addresses:

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far
https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html

(End of provision)

The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

• FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018)
• FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020)
• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Jun 2020)
• FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Feb 2021)
• HHSAR 352.239-73, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice (December 18, 2015)

The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting
Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses:

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far
https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html

(End of clause)

The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

•  FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)
•  FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020)
•  FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contract for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Oct 2020)
•  FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Oct 2018) Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached.
• HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015)

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are attached in full text. Offerors MUST complete the provisions at 52.204-24 and 52.204-26 and submitcompleted copies as separate documents with their quote:

• FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Oct 2020)
• FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services- Representation (Oct 2020)
• FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Jan 2021)
• NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (Rev. Feb 2021)

(ix) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be
used to evaluate offers: (i) technical capability of the items offered to meet the Government requirement;, (ii) price, and (iii) past performance.

Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are signifacntly more inportant than price.

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified
expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(x) The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer.

(xi) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition.

(xii) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

(xiii) Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after
contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s), product description, and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may
include past performance, special features required for effective program performance, trade-in considerations, probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item, warranty considerations, maintenance availability, and environmental
and energy efficiency considerations.

Respondents that believe that they are manufacturers or authorized resellers of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of theirresponse: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order.

The Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov

All quotations must be received by Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight/Standard Timeand reference Solicitation Number 75N95021Q00194. Responses must be submitted electronically to Diedra Prophet, Contract Specialist, at [email protected].

Fax responses will not be accepted.

(xiv) The name and telephone number of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation:

Diedra Prophet, Contract Specialist, 301-402-8070, [email protected]