Orbitor RS2 Microplate Robotic Bundle with Software

PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE – NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

NOI-NIAID-25-2250859

NAICS – 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing)

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal.  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 Thermo CRS Ltd, the manufacturer and proprietary provider of the Orbitor RS2 Microplate robotic bundle with 3 Random Access Hotels and Momentum ™ Scheduling software integrated for Mabtech IRIS reader, and including installation and training.  As described, this meets the requirement for the Vaccine Immunology Program (VIP) within the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) located in Bethesda, MD.  

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRC) focuses on vaccine discovery and development of the immune responses elicited by experimental immunization during clinical evaluation. The Vaccine Immunology Program (VIP) has assembled functional groups that engage in basic and translational B cell immunobiology research (including high throughput automated immunoglobulin and transcriptome analyses) in addition to standardized end-point analyses for clinical trials. In recent years, the VIP-research group has focused upon in-depth analyses of VRC influenza vaccine trials. The goal was to bring these functional groups under a single program in order to facilitate the coordinated development and deployment of state-of-the-art technologies and analyses, which can be utilized effectively for vaccine discovery, early development and testing of clinical products. A primary objective is to supply the automated solution equipment for the VIP to support clinical trial endpoint testing by evaluating T-cell responses using high-throughput Mabtech Fluorospot Assays on an existing IRIS reader to identify functional outputs of the clinical trials being performed. To automate this assay to address testing demands, this current VIP requirement is for a robot (automated solution) to move Mabtech assay plates and schedule the reading of the assay plates on the Mabtech reader. This instrument must be equipped to be equivalent to an Orbitor RS2 Bundle with 3 Random Access Hotels.  Required are an Automation Bundle (RS2 Robot), Momentum™-compatible Scheduling Software, Integration for up to 3 Instruments, and including 3 Random Access Plate Hotels, and Installation and Training. The requirements set forth meet the compatibility to align with the lab’s existing equipment as well as providing the functionality outputs for the clinical trials. Salient characteristics include: bi-directional telescoping arm with expansive 360-degree workspace; integrated barcode reader enabling sample tracking, transmission and inventory management; plate detection overhead gripper to eliminate labware handling errors (reducing risk of lost samples) and forced-controlled stops at even slight unexpected contact; variable force setting to create the compatibility with the Mabtech Reader; and Momentum™ scheduling and workflow software that communicates and controls the other instruments on the system including the Orbitor with a simulation feature allowing to test and optimize processes in advance, while also providing recovery options and running multiple processes simultaneously. Additional salient characteristics involving specifications include: Acceleration Z (height) 570 mm, Speed 750 mm/sec, Acceleration 2250 mm/sec, Radius (reach) ±410 mm , Speed 1200 deg/sec, Acceleration 3600 mm/sec2, Theta (rotation) Infinite, Speed 225 deg/sec 675 deg/sec2,Gripping Distance 130.4/75.4 mm  (open/close), Power requirements 120W, 85-264 VAC, 47-63Hz, Operating environment 15-40-degrees C, Mass 25kg

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement. All required documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov by January 3, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit their documentation. Instructions on how to register /submit documents are included on the website. All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis 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.