Service agreement for Zeiss LSM 710 confocal microscope and 405/440nm CW laser

INTRODUCTION

PURSUANT TO FAR Subpart 5.2—Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions, THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF A PROPOSED CONTRACT ACTION.   

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

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a center of the National Institutes of Health, intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (including brand name) to Carl Zeiss Microscopy, One North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601 for service agreement for Zeiss LSM 710 confocal microscope and 405/440nm CW laser.  

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE

The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334516 with a Size Standard of 1250.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses of the Federal Acquisition Requlation (FAR) in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 22-2022-06 dated 04/26/2022.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures, Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), Soliciting from a single source.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

Purchase Description

Service agreement for Zeiss LSM 710 confocal microscope and 405/440nm CW laser.

Purpose and Objectives

NCATS is in need of a Service and Support Contract for the Zeiss LSM 710 microscope to maintain the instrument and cover the cost of repairs. This contract will provide a rapid, responsive and effective means of resolving technical problems, whenever and however often they occur. In addition, the Contract will provide periodic checks on system parameters for the prediction of, and protection against the future occurrence of potential problems ensuring extended periods of trouble-free operation and will maximize the return on our investment. The mission of The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and SCTL is to apply the tools of small molecule screening and discovery to the development of chemical probe research tools, for use in the study of protein and cell functions, and biological processes relevant to physiology and disease. This request will enable SCTL to have reliable usage of technology previously invested on. A fundamental need at SCTL relates to the analysis of single cell and cell aggregates. For example, many experiments are conducted to interrogate collections of small molecules and biologics (e.g., siRNAs) that affect the cell shape and intracellular structures. Similarly, interrogations may be conducted to assess the effects of modulating multiple genes as a readout for specific pathways or biological processes. This is invaluable for exploring relationships between pathways and mechanisms to modulate them (e.g., alter a disease-related phenotype). Furthermore, cells can be profiled for cell morphology and their intracellular structures to determine their biological state (e.g., differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells). All of these operations can be accomplished using the Zeiss LSM 710 system therefore it is very crucial for the continuation and advancement of stem cell research at NCATS. 

Period of Performance

26 September 2022 – 25 September 2023

CLOSING STATEMENT

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.

Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria.  The price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount.

In addition the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued by the System for Awards Management (SAM.gov), 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. 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. 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 must be submitted by email to Rhanda Lopez, at rhanda.lopez@nih.gov no later than September 23, 2022 at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, and must reference solicitation number 75N95C22P00121.