75N94024Q00217.SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

(ACQUISITION OF A TECNAIF20/D526 SERVICE AGREEMENT)

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

TITLE: ACQUISITION OF A TECNAIF20/D526 SERVICE AGREEMENT

PROPOSED SOLICITATION NUMBER: 75N94024Q00217

PROJECT SERVICE CODE: J066 - MAINT/REPAIR/REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT-

INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

NAICS CODE: 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance and the small business size standard of $34.0.

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.

NIDDK’s Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility is serving many NIDDK structural biology labs that use Cryo-EM single particle analysis to study the structures of proteins & macromolecules. It currently houses a TecnaiF20/D526 microscope equipped with a K2 camera.

The Cryo-EM Facility offers support in planning EM experiments, sample preparation and imaging, using equipment, and analyzing data. With the TecnaiF20/D526 electron microscope, users can screen the samples: by Cryo to check Cryo grids quality; and collect data to get preliminary structures. This sample screening is the key step of Cryo- EM sample preparation that eventually leads to high resolution structures. As such, the TecnaiF20/D526 electron microscope is essential for its optimized and continuous performance, and thus, the quality and productivity of the ongoing research at NIDDK. In order to continue this support, the TecnaiF20/D526 microscope requires a service agreement to keep the instrument functioning properly and providing accurate results.

The TecnaiF20/D526 microscope is located in Building 8, Room B2A18-24 on the NIH Bethesda Main Campus.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this requirement is to procure a service agreement for the TecnaiF20/D526 electron microscope (including the phase plate), which requires optimized and continuous performance for the quality and productivity of the ongoing research at NIDDK. As the TecnaiF20/D526 microscope is very complex and delicate, Cryo-EM requires experienced and well-trained service engineer(s) to perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and prompt repairs when there are any issues. The purchase of the service agreement will ensure the high standard operation status of the microscope and its service to all Cryo-EM research projects at NIDDK.

SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the organization will provide a service agreement meeting the Task Area criteria below.

TASK AREAS:

Task Area 1 – Service Agreement – The Contractor shall provide telephone support for microscope troubleshooting. The Contractor shall provide on-site service by an experienced service engineer; on-site response shall be within 48 hours after submittal of service request. Telephone support and On-site Service availability is Monday through Friday during normal business hours, excluding holidays. Replacement parts that are needed for repair shall be shipped within 24 hours. The vendor covers all costs including labor, travel, living expenses and parts coverage.

Task Area 2 – Preventive Maintenance – The Contractor shall provide a one-time on-site preventive service visit during each contract period. The on-site visit shall be scheduled in coordination with the COR. NIDDK’s Cryo-EM facility Director shall be present during the on-site visit.

Task Area 3 – Software Updates – The Contractor shall provide software updates that solely improve the functionality of previously purchased software capabilities. NIDDK’s Cryo-EM facility Director shall be present during software upgrades and will verify the success of the upgrade(s).

Task Area 4 – Location of Service(s) – The Contractor shall perform the services for the microscope located in Building. 8, Room B2A20 at NIH’s Bethesda Main Campus.

TYPE OF ORDER

Firm-Fixed Price

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The Project Officer or the Project Officer Supervisor will review invoices of materials and services to be provided.

Invoices will be approved by the Project officer and/or COR Quarterly In Arrears.

The Project Officer is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this Purchase Order; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.

The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this Purchase Order. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor any costs incurred during the performance of this Purchase Order; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this Purchase Order.

PAYMENT

Payment will be made after delivery of all items and testing in NIH Building 5, Room 412 by members of SSNMRBPS. Payment terms per the vendor allowance being a small business (net 30) after receipt of order (ARO).

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this requirement is:

Base Period: 9/19/2024 – 9/18/2025 Option Period 1: 9/19/2025 – 9/18/2026 Option Period 2: 9/19/2026 – 9/18/2027 Option Period 3: 9/19/2027 – 9/18/2028

Option Period 4: 9/19/2028 – 9/18/2029

Payment will be made quarterly in arrears.

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 below.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR Part 13.5 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

This is a full and open competitive requirement. This is a requirement for the

ACQUISITION OF A TECNAIF20/D526 SERVICE AGREEMENT.

The vendor will be evaluated on their quoted product 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 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance and 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 75N94024Q00217. 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 amber.harris@nih.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.

mailto:amber.harris@nih.gov