D 75N95024Q00193_CSS.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

75N95024Q00193

TITLE: Natural Killer (NK) Cell Function Testing

(i) THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) COMBINED SYNOPSIS

SOLICITATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING

FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME).

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Office of Acquisition (OA), on behalf of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing full and open competition for Natural Killer (NK) Cell Function Testing from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229. This acquisition is conducted as non-competitive for a commercial item or service and is conducted pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

The rationale for the brand-name justification: Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because this lab performed all of the prior Natural Killer cell measurements for this study. Prior testing data must be able to be compared to the data collected through this requirement. Since results are dependent upon sample handling and laboratory methodology, using any other lab for this requirement will impede the ability to compare data from prior requirements to the data from this requirement. Therefore, this acquisition is restricted to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

(ii) 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; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(iii) The solicitation number is 75N95024Q00193 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This acquisition is for a commercial item and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures and Commercial Services and FAR Part 12 - Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(iv) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-03 effective February 23, 2024.

(v) The associated NAICS code is 621511 and the Small Business size standard is $41.5M. No set aside restrictions are applicable.

RFQ No. 75N95024Q00193

DESCRIPTION

(vi) The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), within the National

Institutes of Health (NIH), requires Natural Killer (NK) Function Testing for Post-Acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) and Gulf War Illness Studies at NIH.

See Attachment 1: Statement of Work, for full requirement details.

EVALUATION AND AWARD

(vii) The anticipated award date is March 15, 2024. The Government anticipates award of a firm, fixed-price purchase order.

(viii) The Government plans to issue a purchase order to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical

Center provided the quote is technically acceptable and the negotiated price is determined to be fair and reasonable. If additional quotations are received, the Government will evaluate all quotations in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 and award a purchase order to the responsible quoter whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered, using comparative evaluations. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotes:

1. Technical Capability: The ability to perform the Natural Killer testing using the same sample handling and laboratory methodology that was used for prior testing in this project.

2. Price: The total quoted price including all options. Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

3. Past Performance. Past performance performing similar services. The Government may use any source of available past performance information (see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)).

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

(ix) All responses to this RFQ must be received by 3:00pm Eastern Time on March 13, 2024 and must reference the solicitation number cited above. Responses must be submitted via email to Kimberly Espinosa at kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov.

(x) This is an RFQ. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or service.

mailto:kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov

Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this RFQ must be completed by the quoter.

(xi) Responses to this RFQ must include clear and convincing evidence of the quoter’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. Responses may exceed capability or performance characteristics of the solicitation's requirements. The Government reserves the right, but is not required, to award to a response that exceeds capability or performance characteristics of the solicitation's requirements if it provides a benefit to the Government.

(xii) Respondents that believe that they are manufacturers or authorized resellers of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order.

(xiii) Responses must include the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) (which replaced the DUNS number), the certification of business size, and the completed representations in FAR Provision 52.212-

3. If the quoter’s representations in the System for Award Management (SAM) are accurate, only Paragraph B of 52.212-3 should be completed.

(xiv) Responses must also include a quotation in U.S. dollars that includes:

1. The total price,

2. Individual prices for each item / service,

3. Prompt payment discount terms,

4. Product or catalog number(s),

5. Product description, and

6. Any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations.

(xv) For information about this RFQ, contact Kimberly Espinosa, Contracting Officer, at 301-827-

3546 or kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov.

(xvi) All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PROVISIONS, AND REPRESENTATIONS

(xvii) FAR Provision 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998).

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

1. FAR Provision 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018)

2. FAR Provision 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020)

3. FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Feb 2024)

(xviii) FAR Clause 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998). This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

In addition to the clauses checked in FAR 52.212-5 (attached), the following clauses also apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

1. FAR Clause 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)

2. FAR Clause 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020)

3. FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and

Commercial Services (Nov 2023)

4. HHSAR Clause 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity

Investigations (December 18, 2015)

(xix) Option for Additional Services-Separately Priced Line Item. The Government may require the performance of the services in the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within the period of performance.

(End of clause)

(xx) FAR Clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000).

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within the period of performance; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 7 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed three (3) years.

(End of clause)

(xxi) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

ATTACHMENTS

(xxi) The following terms, provisions, and clauses are incorporated and attached in full text:

1. Statement of Work

2. FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial

Services (Sep 2023) (Tailored)

3. FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Feb 2024)

4. FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or

Executive Orders–Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Feb 2024)

5. Invoice and Payment Provisions with IPP (March 2023)