BioStore III Cryo Service Agreement

THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION.

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Azenta US, Inc. for a Biostore III Cryo Service Agreement.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS

The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance with a Size Standard of $22M.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6—Competition Requirements. FAR Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source provides that: For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer may solicit from one source IF the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name OR industrial mobilization).

The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) No. 2022-05 effective March 7, 2022.

Background / Purpose / Objective:

The purpose of this requisition is to obtain BioStore III Cryo one year service contract for the Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL) within the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Division of Preclinical Innovation (DPI).

The Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL) is a state-of-the-art research facility within NCATS’ Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation dedicated to addressing the scientific and technological challenges in the iPSC field. The SCTL uses an integrated technological approach to better understand pluripotent stem cell biology and thereby leverage drug discovery and regenerative medicine. Every day, vials of stem cell lines are cryopreserved for various projects. A BioStore III Cryo System is required by the SCTL in order to best store precious cell lines and automate cold-chain management of these cell lines in an efficient way. Maintaining the Biostore with annual preventative maintenance, a repair contract, and remote access support ensure it is operating optimally.

Anticipated period of performance / delivery date:

Base Period: April 25, 2022 – April 24, 19, 2023

Option Period 1 :  April 25, 2023 - April 24, 2024

CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION

The determination by the Government to award a contract without providing for full and open competition is based upon the market research conducted. Specifically, Azenta US, Inc., is the only source that can provide the services for the BioStore III Cryo automated cryogenic sample management system. Azenta does not authorize any third-party service provider in North America to perform maintenance and repair on BioStore III Cryo automated cryogenic sample management system.  Azenta maintains Intellectual Property (IP) rights to its collection of software and service tools software.  Third party resellers and service providers are strictly prohibited from accessing, using or selling its software

The intended source is:

Azenta US, Inc.

15 Elizabeth Drive

Chelmsford, MA 01824-111

CLOSING STATEMENT

THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NCATS-NOI-22003342. Responses must be submitted electronically to kim.stapleton@nih.gov.                                     

U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.