Notice_of_Intent_1.pdf

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Solicitation Number: 75N94024Q00142 Solicitation Type: Sole Source (Non-Competitive) Title: NICHD: Supply: QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System NAICS / Size Standard: 334516 / 1,000 employees

Introduction

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Office of Acquisitions (OA), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Life Technologies Corporation to provide a QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System.

Background Information

Over the past years, real-time PCR has become the leading tool for the detection and quantification of DNA or RNA. Using these techniques, precise detection that is accurate down to 1.5-fold range and a dynamic range of up to 10 orders of magnitude can be achieved. Because of the high quality data, real- Time PCR is commonly used to verify the results of other nucleic acid analysis methods including RNA-seq.

In the lab, real-time PCR is used for quantifying DNA and RNA levels in biological samples from diverse experiments and the technique can be used to verify differential gene expression shown in RNA-seq results and quantitatively measure gene expression level in our model systems. Current experiments of focus using real-time PCR machine include measuring gene expression in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with absence/presence of transposable elements (aka jumping genes) which we believe they cause increased risk of neurologic and psychiatric diseases.

Preliminary experiments performed with a 96-well StepOne plus real-time PCR system from Applied Biosystems generated outstanding results, demonstrating differential expression of several target genes by candidate causal transposable element insertion. Encouraged by these results, the lab wants to do these experiments in large scale to test more genes at once. 96-well format is not enough to run all samples we want to include in the assay with enough biological and technical replicates required for enough statistical significance. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a real-time PCR machine with more wells.

Purpose and Objectives

The lab needs a QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System to provide a quantitative measurement of global gene expression in human induced pluripotent stem cell edited with transposable elements associated with increased neuropsychiatric disease risk.

Period of Performance

The period of performance is one year from award.

Contractor Requirements

The contractor needs to provide a QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System that includes the following:

• QS5 384 QPCR SYSTEM

Dell Laptop computer minimum specs:

o Processor speed of 2.7GHz minimum o 4GB Ram memory minimum o Windows 10 Operating system o 250GB hard drive minimum o DVD RW drive

• TAQMAN RNASE P FAST 384W VERIF PLATE

• 384-WELL HARDSHELL PLATE CLEAR ,20 PCS PK; MicroAmp® EnduraPlate Optical 384-Well Clear

Reaction Plate with Barcode, 0.02mL, 20 plates; All of our plastic consumables are validated with Applied Biosystems® instruments for optimal fit and performance.

• OPTICAL ADHESIVE COVERS 25 PCS/PACK

• SMARTSTART, QS 3/5, 1DAY

• POWRUP SYBR MASTER MIX,5X5ML 5X5 ML

• $10,000.00 TRADE-IN CREDIT for return of the Model Step One Plus. Serial Number 272003083

Sole Source Justification

Life Technologies does not have any authorized agents, distributors, or dealers in the United States for the above listed instrument. Also, real-time PCR machines Life Technologies has been successfully used in NICHD intramural labs and due to quantitative nature of this method, using exact controlled conditions for all experiments is critical. They have successfully established experimental conditions in this Step One 96-well real-time PCR machine. Using a machine from different vendor will involve different dye detection chemistry, detection reagents, and plasticwares, all of which can affect the result. Therefore, ongoing experiments and also all other experiments that we have established using this machine from our lab over the course of time will be affected. Currently StepOne series is discontinued and QuantStudio series is upgraded version of StepOne from the same manufacturer. To eliminate the possibility that real-time PCR machine and consumables become new variables between experiments, it is required to use the real time PCR machine from same company for consistency. The vendor also offers a trade- in credit, telephone technical support, and field applications/sales/service support to help solve chemistry and instrumentation problems encountered with real-time quantitative PCR and SNP genotyping.

Regulatory Authority

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) 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, or industrial mobilization).

FAR Clauses

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

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this notice to the offeror listed above. The following factors shall be used to evaluate the offer: The contractor shall demonstrate its ability to provide the detector listed that meets the specifications provided above.

FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services, is applicable. The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through

(v) of this provision.

FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

Additional Information

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 334516 and the Small Business Size Standard is 1,000 Employees. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable and the resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05 effective April 22, 2024.

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. 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. 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.

All responses must be received by July 3, 2024 5:00 PM ET and must reference solicitation number http://www.sam.gov/

75N94024Q00142. Responses shall be submitted electronically to nicole.freid@nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

mailto:nicole.freid@nih.gov