75N94024Q00121.Combined Synopsis Solicitation.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION WORKFORM

(1) Action Code: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

(2) Date: 9/4/2024

(3) Year: 2024

(4) Contracting Office Zip Code: 20892

(5) Project Service Code: 5860 - STIMULATED COHERENT RADIATION DEV

(6) Contracting Office Address:

6710B Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892

(7) Subject/Title: ACQUISITION OF MICROWAVE SOURCE FOR DYNAMIC NUCLEAR

POLARIZATION

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: 75N94024Q00121

(9) Closing Response Date: 9/12/2024

(10) Contact Point: Amber Harris

(11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number: TBD

(12) Contract Award Dollar Amount: TBD

(13) Contract Line Item Number(s): TBD

(14) Contractor Award Date: TBD

(15) Contractor Name: TBD

(16) Description: (Background)

(i) “This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.”

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N94024Q00121 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document, the incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2024-05 Effective May 22, 2024.

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 334610 - Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and

Optical Media, and the small business size standard of 1,250. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13.

(v) The Contractor Requirements are listed below:

1.0 PURCHASE ORDER TITLE

ACQUISITION OF MICROWAVE SOURCE FOR DYNAMIC NUCLEAR POLARIZATION

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Biomolecular Physics Section (SSNMRBPS) of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics (LCP) of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) performs molecular structural studies of disease-related protein assemblies by using solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) measurements. Members of SSNMRBPS have developed technology for carrying out the SSNMR measurements on frozen solutions of protein assemblies at very low temperatures. Because protein concentrations in frozen solutions are low, these measurements require enhancements of SSNMR signals. Signal enhancements are achieved through excitation of electron spin-flip transitions by continuous irradiation with high-power microwaves. This important signal enhancement method is known as "dynamic nuclear polarization" (DNP).

Members of SSNMRBPS plan to apply their low-temperature, DNP-enhanced SSNMR methods in a series of studies of assemblies formed by the capsid protein of the HIV-1 virus. Successful completion of these studies will require maximal DNP signal enhancements. The microwave frequency for DNP in the planned experiments must be approximately 264 Gigahertz, which is the frequency needed for excitation of electron spin-flip transitions in the 9.39 Tesla magnet used in these studies. The microwave power must be at least 3.0 watts, so that maximal DNP signal enhancements can be achieved over the 25-100 K temperature range that will be used in these studies. A 264 Gigahertz microwave source with 3.0 watt output power is not currently available in SSNMRBPS or in other laboratories within the intramural research program of NIDDK.

Therefore, SSNMRBPS needs to procure a microwave source with the required performance capabilities.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this requirement is to procure a 263GHz CPI 5-W CW EIO and power supply.

4.0 SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the organization will provide a microwave source with the required performance capabilities.

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

a. The microwave source must operate in a continuous-wave (CW) mode.

b. Microwave frequencies produced by the source must be tunable over a range from

263.3 GHz to 264.3 GHz by either mechanical or electrical adjustments. (This tuning range is dictated by the electron spin resonance frequencies of nitroxide compounds used for DNP in existing NMR magnets.)

c. It must be possible to achieve a CW microwave output power of at least 3.0 W within the specified tuning range. (This output power level is required for maximization of NMR signal enhancements by DNP over a range of sample temperatures from 25 K to 100 K.) It must also be possible to operate at lower powers by adjustment of power supply settings.

d. The source must produce microwaves with a TE10 output mode for compatibility with existing waveguides and microwave horns.

e. Output power stability must be +/- 2% or better when temperature variations in the environment are less than 1 C. (This stability level is required because lower stability would introduce spurious noise in DNP-enhanced NMR data.)

f. Output frequency stability must be +/- 25 MHz or better when temperature variations in the environment are less than 1 C. (This stability level is required because lower stability would introduce spurious noise in DNP-enhanced NMR data.)

g. A power supply for the microwave source must be included. This power supply must produce all voltages and currents that are necessary for operation according to the specifications listed above.

h. A refrigerated water recirculating heat exchanger (i.e., chiller unit) for cooling the microwave source must be included. This chiller unit must have temperature, stability, flow rate, and other performance characteristics that are sufficient for CW operation of the microwave source according to the specifications listed above.

i. All cables, tubes, connectors, and other items for interfacing the microwave source with the power supply and chiller unit must be included.

j. For compatibility with available laboratory space, the microwave source itself (not including power supply and chiller unit) must fit within a 2 ft X 2 ft area with 3 ft height. The microwave source must be operable in the fringe field of an existing NMR magnet, where the field strength is 15 G.

5.0 PURCHASE ORDER TYPE

This Purchase Order is to be a firm fixed price.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BREAKDOWN

Delivery within 12 Months of purchase order award.

Payment will be made after delivery of all items and testing in NIH Building 5, Room 412 by members of SSNMRBPS.

7.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The Project Officer or the Project Officer Supervisor will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided. For equipment orders, inspection and acceptance will be done AFTER All materials are unpacked, installed, and test run for operation. Receiving will be completed no later than 7 days following date of Delivery.

Acceptance and Delivery will be complete once the signed packing slip is provided to the Vendor.

National Institutes of Health, Building 5, Room 412, Bethesda, MD 20892-0520. Shipping arrangements and payment for shipping will be made in a separate order with the supplier after production of the microwave source has been completed. Installation in NIH Building 5, Room 412 shall be performed by members of SSNMRBPS.

(vi) This is a competitive requirement being pursued through the authority granted in FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal. This is a requirement for a Communications & Power Industries LLC 263GHz CPI 5-W CW EIO and power supply.

(vii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(viii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable.

Award will be made to the contractor providing the most advantageous quote to the Government. Technical factors and price considered with technical factors outweighing price.

i. The award will be made to the contractor who provides the most advantageous quote to the Government and will be evaluated via a comparative analysis of the quotes provided, technical factors and price considered.

The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Offeror in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the Statement of Work. The merits of the proposal will be evaluated carefully and will be deemed Acceptable or Unacceptable. The proposal must document the feasibility of successful implementation of the requirements of the Statement of Work. The Offeror must submit information sufficient to evaluate the proposal based on the detailed factors listed in section 4.0 SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND

SPECIFICATIONS.

Specifically, the technical factors are as follows:

a. The microwave source must operate in a continuous-wave (CW) mode.

b. Microwave frequencies produced by the source must be tunable over a range from 263.3 GHz to 264.3 GHz by either mechanical or electrical adjustments. (This tuning range is dictated by the electron spin resonance frequencies of nitroxide compounds used for DNP in existing NMR magnets.)

c. It must be possible to achieve a CW microwave output power of at least 3.0 W within the specified tuning range. (This output power level is required for maximization of NMR signal enhancements by DNP over a range of sample temperatures from 25 K to 100 K.) It must also be possible to operate at lower powers by adjustment of power supply settings.

d. The source must produce microwaves with a TE10 output mode for compatibility with existing waveguides and microwave horns.

e. Output power stability must be +/- 2% or better when temperature variations in the environment are less than 1 C. (This stability level is required because lower stability would introduce spurious noise in DNP-enhanced NMR data.)

f. Output frequency stability must be +/- 25 MHz or better when temperature variations in the environment are less than 1 C. (This stability level is required because lower stability would introduce spurious noise in DNP-enhanced NMR data.)

g. A power supply for the microwave source must be included. This power supply must produce all voltages and currents that are necessary for operation according to the specifications listed above.

h. A refrigerated water recirculating heat exchanger (i.e., chiller unit) for cooling the microwave source must be included. This chiller unit must have temperature, stability, flow rate, and other performance characteristics that are sufficient for CW operation of the microwave source according to the specifications listed above.

i. All cables, tubes, connectors, and other items for interfacing the microwave source with the power supply and chiller unit must be included.

j. For compatibility with available laboratory space, the microwave source itself

(not including power supply and chiller unit) must fit within a 2 ft X 2 ft area with 3 ft height. The microwave source must be operable in the fringe field of an existing NMR magnet, where the field strength is 15 G.

Evaluation Criteria Acceptable Unacceptable

Technical The deliverables proposed by the vendor meet the requirements in the

SOW

Summary Overall Rating (Overall Risk)

Cost/Price Offerors will be evaluated based upon cost/price completeness and accuracy to determine the validity of the price, realism, reasonableness, and risk.

Technical Evaluation Rating Definitions

(ix) FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, is applicable. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) of this provision.

(x) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xi) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Including the

Rating Definition Acceptable Proposal meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements, and risk of unsuccessful performance is no worse than moderate.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet requirements of the solicitation, and thus, contains one or more deficiencies, and/or risk of unsuccessful performance is unacceptable.

http://www.acquisition.gov/ following clauses and Prohibitions:

i. 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government

ii. 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct

iii. 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier

Subcontract Awards

iv. 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements

v. 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application

vi. 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

vii. 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding

Responsibility Matters

viii. 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal

ix. 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small

Business Concerns

x. 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns

xi. 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation

xii. 52.222-3, Convict Labor

xiii. 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities

xiv. 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity

xv. 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans

xvi. 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities

xvii. 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans

xviii. 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor

Relations Act

xix. 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons

xx. 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification

xxi. 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving

xxii. 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases

xxiii. 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While

Driving

Additional Clauses:

i. 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items

ii. 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award

Management

iii. 52.232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

(xii) Additional Contract Requirements:

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe

PDF format using 11- point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

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 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. (END OF CLAUSE)

(xiii) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating are not applicable.

(xiv) Offers shall be submitted via email to amber.harris@nih.gov and must reference 75N94024Q00121 in the subject line.

(17) Place of Contract Performance:

National Institute of Health, NIDDK mailto:amber.harris@nih.gov

5 South Drive Bethesda MD 20892

(18) Set-aside Status: This requirement is not set aside for small business.