75N94024Q00038.SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

(Acquisition of a Krios G4 Microscope Maintenance Plan)

AGENCY: The National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

TITLE: Acquisition of a Krios G4 Microscope Maintenance Plan

PROPOSED SOLICITATION NUMBER: 75N94024Q00038

PROJECT SERVICE CODE: J066 – Maint/Repair/Rebuild of Equipment- Instruments And Laboratory Equipment

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. There is no solicitation available at this time.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of all qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification according to the North American Industry Classification System, (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set- aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

BACKGROUND:

The mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is to conduct and support medical research and research training and to disseminate science-based information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutritional disorders, and obesity; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, to improve people’s health and quality of life.

The NIDDK supports a wide range of medical research through grants to universities and other medical research institutions across the country. The Institute also supports government scientists who conduct basic, translational, and clinical research across a broad spectrum of research topics and serious, chronic diseases and conditions related to the Institute's mission. In addition, the NIDDK supports research training for students and scientists at various stages of their careers and a range of education and outreach programs to bring science-based information to patients and their families, health care professionals, and the public.

The Multi Institute Cryo-EM Facility (MICEF) is a collaborative facility maintained by the NIDDK. It serves the scientific communities of National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIDDK, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). MICEF currently houses a Krios G4 microscope that is used for imaging of frozen cells and single particle sample for Cryo electron microscopy. This instrument is the final high-quality imaging part of the workflow for Cryo electron tomography of cells and tissue and high-resolution structure elucidation of single particles (biological molecules and complexes).

The result in both cases is detailed 3D characterization of these biological samples, for single particles at atomic resolution to enable atomic model building and for cells at a resolution good enough to elucidate the native structure of single proteins in their cellular context.

MICEF offers support in planning cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) experiments, sample preparation and imaging, using equipment, and analyzing data. To continue this support, the Krios G4 microscope requires a maintenance plan (to include microscope components) to keep the microscope functioning properly and providing accurate results.

The Krios G4 microscope is located on the NIH Bethesda Main Campus in Building 13, Room G333.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this requirement is to purchase a preventative maintenance plan for the Krios G4 microscope.

SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

The objective of this requirement is to purchase a preventative maintenance plan for the GIF BioQuantum system.

The Contractor shall provide:

• Four-hour Targeted Telephone Support

• Unlimited Labor Hours (including travel time and expenses)

• Software upgrades.

• Replacement FIG tip (for applicable products)

• Annual preventative maintenance service

• Certified Manufacturer spare parts

TASK AREAS:

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the contractor shall provide the maintenance services listed below.

Task Area 1 – Service Engineer – The Contractor shall provide a qualified service engineer to perform maintenance on the microscope with equipment and parts. Service will be on the units themselves in their current location by qualified service engineer in the presence of MICEF staff.

Task Area 2 – Response Time – Upon Government submission of a service request, the Contractor shall respond within 48 hours and send in a service engineer to service/repair the microscope.

Task Area 3 – Remote Application Support – The Contractor shall provide remote support when needed due to issues with the instrument and solve problems when they appear in real time.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Base Period: 4/3/2024 – 4/2/2025 Option Period One: 4/3/2025 – 4/2/2026 Option Period Two: 4/3/2026 – 4/2/2027 Option Period Three: 4/3/2027 – 4/2/2028 Option Period Four: 4/3/2028 – 4/2/2029

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

This Sources Sought is for an organization or institution to provide the NIDDK with a Krios G4 Microscope Maintenance Plan.

All qualified small businesses, whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses;

or small disadvantaged businesses; interested in submitting a corporate capability statement should demonstrate their capability to provide equipment that meets the characteristics above.

The vendor will be evaluated on their quoted supplies meeting the specifications under section SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

If you or your firm/business has an interest and possess the required expertise, we invite you to submit a corporate capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502- 2(b) whether or not this procurement will be set-aside for any of the programs described above. The associated NAICS code is 811210, with the small business size standard of $34.0. All respondents are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business.

Interested firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice should adhere to the following:

(a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement should contain sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding your capabilities. The capability statement should not exceed 15 pages using a font size 10 or larger.

(b) Small business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake the efforts should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. This capability statement should include: 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of scientists, medical experts, and technical personnel as they relate to the requirements, 3) a description of general and specific facilities and equipment available, including computer equipment and software, and 4) any other specific and relevant information that would improve the Government's consideration and evaluation of the information presented.

Further, Past Performance documentation, which should include, but not be limited to, a minimum of two (2) contracts performed for either Government or commercial organizations shall be provided. References shall include for each contract: names, titles, contract number, total price or cost, telephone numbers of government Contracting Officer Representative and Contracting Officers.

(c) All capability statements sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Point of Contact below in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The subject line must specify 75N94024Q00038. Facsimile responses will not be accepted.

Electronically submitted capability statements are due no later than 9:00 AM (Eastern Prevailing Time) seven (7) calendar days (including date of submission to https://sam.gov) after posting of the Small Business Sources Sought Notice.

CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL

NOT BE CONSIDERED

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP):

Vendor/Contractor Must be able to accept payments via IPP (Invoice Processing Platform) The contractor may submit a request for an exception. See below for IPP, IPP helpdesk information and applicable Health and Human Services addendum clause.

INVOICING PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP) In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) M-15-19 memorandum "Improving Government Efficiency and Saving Taxpayer Dollars through Electronic Invoicing" directing https://sam.gov/

Federal agencies to adopt electronic invoicing as the primary means to disburse payment to vendors. Invoices submitted under any award resulting from this solicitation will be required to utilize the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) in accordance with HHSAR 352.232-71, Electronic Submission and Processing of Payment Requests" IPP is a secure, web-based electronic invoicing system provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRSTL). Respondents to this solicitation are encouraged to register an account with IPP if they have not already done so. If your organization is already registered to use IPP, you will not be required to re-register however, we encourage you make sure your organization and designated IPP user accounts are valid and up to date. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov If you require assistance registering or IPP account access, please contact the IPP Helpdesk at (866) 973-3131 (M-F 8AM to 6PM ET), or IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov Note: Should an Offeror feel that use of the IPP would be unduly burdensome, the response to this solicitation should include an explanation of this position for a determination by the contracting officer.

HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Invoice Payment Requests (Feb 2022) will apply when this requirement is solicited and awarded. As stated: (a) Definitions. As used in this clause, Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), "Content of Invoices" and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system.

Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site. (c) The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

(d) If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contracting Officer's written authorization with each payment request.

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