Small_Business_Sources_Sought.pdf

Document Type: Small Business Sources Source Sought Notice

Solicitation No.: 75N95019Q00139

Project Title: Maestro APEX system, Maestro Pro Microelectrode Array Platform (MEA), and accessories, or brand-name equal

Classification Code: 66 – Instruments and Laboratory Equipment

NAICS Code: 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Description

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding:

(1) the availability and capability of 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 relative 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.

Please note that to qualify as an eligible small business for purposes of a small business set-aside, at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the small business awardee (see FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting).

Purpose and Objectives

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation’s leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improve people’s health and save lives. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a translational science center that prides itself on its tremendously productive pipeline and is innovative in several ways. NCATS brings together a diverse range of scientists, including medicinal chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and engineers, in to ultimately translate basic science into real products and services that help improve people’s lives.

Project Requirements

NCATS seeks to purchase one (1) Maestro APEX system, one (1) Maestro Pro Microelectrode Array Platform (MEA), and accessories, or brand-name equal. This equipment is required to meet project milestones in support of the Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) Initiative. The Maestro APEX system provides automation capabilities for all aspects of microelectrode array plate preparation, maintenance, and experiment execution. The Maestro Pro MEA Platform allows for simultaneous live, label-free recording of electrically active cells.

This will be utilized to characterize neurons, such as nociceptors and cardiomyocytes, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Characterization of these cells with the comprehensive

Maestro system will allow NCATS scientists to gain a better understanding of the behavior of diseased cells, screen for drugs to treat that disease/disorder, and examine potential toxic effects of drug candidates.

The brand name items and accessories include:

Brand Name Item Product

Number

Description Qty

Maestro APEX MAESTRO AUTO

Fully integrated robotic platform with: a 44-plate capacity automated incubator, CO2 gas mixer, ISO 14644-1 compliant HEPA filtered hood with UV, 4-channel pipettor (1- 1000uL dispense), dedicated reagent racks and reservoirs, dual barcode readers, dedicated biohazard waste receptacles, and scheduling software with full AxIS feature integration.

Maestro Pro MAESTRO768PRO

768-channel MEA system with BioCore v4 chip technology, touchscreen real-time interface, stimulation, recording and data acquisition system, automated temperature and CO2 control, desktop computer, monitor, and AxIS Navigator software for acquisition and analysis. Accommodates Axion BioSystem's 12, 24, 48, and 96-well, MEA plates (SLAS compliant).

Motorized Maestro Upgrade

MOTO Upgrade In-factory service to upgrade the Maestro Pro to a motorized Maestro with automated plate docking. Parts are included.

Installation and Training

INT-AUTO

Two-day, on-site installation and training covering hardware, software, and applications for the Maestro APEX system for existing Maestro users.

CytoView MEA 48- White plate

M768-tMEA-48W-5 Plates with 16 microelectrodes per well and white polystyrene walls with a transparent SU-8 bottom. Box of five plates.

Performance Assurance Service Plan with Preventive Maintenance - Maestro MEA

PASPM768

OPTION: One-year, in-factory service and preventive maintenance plan including all parts and labor. Includes one in-factory preventive maintenance service.

Performance Assurance Service Plan with Preventive Maintenance - APEX System

PASPM-APEX

OPTION: One-year service and preventive maintenance plan including all parts and labor. Includes one on-site preventive maintenance service for the automation platform and the incubator.

Salient Characteristics: The salient characteristics of the brand name or equal equipment are:

1. Must be compatible with the Axion Classic and CytoView Micro Electrode Array plates.

The SCTL currently utilizes this equipment and it is imperative that the brand name or equal equipment is compatible with this existing equipment for the continuation of cell characterization.

2. Must be compatible with an existing Axion Maestro Pro.

3. The Maestro APEX or equal must include:

a. Sterile plate deck: HEPA filter and UV light package included

b. Integrated incubator: Liconic, 44-plate capacity, automated plate handling;

temperature control 33-70° C; 95% max humidity

c. ECmini: Updated design providing responsive CO2 delivery; accommodates top-access to the MEA plate for the pipettor

d. Software: Complete platform operational control (robotics, incubator, AxIS) with

Hamilton scheduling software; training included

e. Dimensions: dimensions must be no larger than L 74” X W 28” X H 52”

4. The Maestro Pro or equal must include:

a. 768-channel MEA system with x12 BioCore v4 chip technology

b. Automated temperature and CO2 control

c. Compatible with Axion BioSystem's 12, 24, 48, and 96-well, MEA plates (SLAS compliant)

d. Electrical stimulation of 768 microelectrodes in all wells simultaneously

e. Dimensions no larger than H 8.86” x W 11.0” x D 17.8”

Anticipated Delivery Date

Delivery is to occur within four (4) weeks after receipt of order. The dates for the two-day installation and training shall be coordinated with the NCATS Point of Contact listed on the purchase order.

Required Information

All capability statements must provide the following: (1) DUNS number; (2) organization name;

(3) organization address; (4) point of contact; (5) point of contact title, address, telephone, and email address; and (6) size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.) pursuant the applicable NAICS code.

Submission Instructions and Due Date

Written capability statements must be submitted no later than 9:00am EDT on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 to the below Contracting Office Address, Attn: Kimberly Espinosa. Electronic capability statements will be accepted by the primary point of contact listed below.

Disclaimer and Important Notes

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality

No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Contracting Office Address

NCATS Section NIDA Office of Acquisition 6001 Executive Boulevard Suite 3151, MSC 9531 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9531*

*Use Rockville, MD 20852 for Fed-Ex/USPS/Courier/Hand-Delivery

Points of Contact

Primary Point of Contact:

Kimberly Espinosa Contract Specialist Kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov Phone: (301) 827-3546