Lipid-based siRNA Transfection Reagent

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

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Life Technologies Corporation for Lipid-based siRNA Transfection Reagents . 

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS
The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 325414  – Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing with a Size Standard of 1,250 employees.  

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, Contracting officers 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) 2023-01 dated December 30, 2022.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:
The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which mission it is to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. 
The Functional Genomics Laboratory (FGL) at NCATS conducts high-throughput siRNA screens in collaboration with intramural NIH investigators as well as extramural collaborators. siRNAs down-regulate target genes possessing corresponding sequence complementarity. This is instrumental in interrogating a specific gene’s function in the context of any biology that can be assayed. FGL's workflow encompasses assay development, screening, and initial follow-up. To conduct this work, NCATS requires a large quantity of a lipid transfection agent to be able to conduct primary and secondary screens. This request is for a lipid based transfection reagent that is specifically compatible with FGL’s transfection protocol and automated workflow.

Purchase Description: Lipofectamine® RNAiMAX Transfection Reagent

Salient Characteristics:
1.    1.5mL vial Transfection Reagent to be stored at 2° to 8°C. Must be stable for one year when stored at this temperature range.  
2.    Must provide highest transfection efficiencies on widest variety of cell types for siRNA-mediated gene knockdown experiments.
3.    Large amount of transfection reagent used to get siRNAs into cells.

Quantity: 50 vials 

Delivery Date: 15 days from receipt of order

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, Life Technologies Corporation is the only vendor in the marketplace that can provide the products required by NCATS .

The intended source is:
Life Technologies Corporation 
3175 Staley Rd
Grand Island, NY 14072 

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 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), 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-23-001547. Responses must be submitted electronically to Sarah Adan, Contract Specialist, at sarah.adan@nih.gov and Valerie Whipple, Contracting Officer, at valerie.whipple@nih.gov.  U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.