D. CSS_75N950023Q0295.pdf

COMPETITIVE

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

Title: Tecan Fluent 1080 (brand name or equal), Infinite Microplate Reader, and a TeVacS with Vacuum Control

(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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N95023Q00295 and the solicitation is issued as an request for quotation (RFQ).

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplif ied Acquisition Procedures;

FAR Subpart 13.5— Simplif ied Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is expected to exceed the simplif ied acquisition threshold.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2023-04, with effective date 06/02/2023

(iv) The associated NAICS code 423450 – Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers and the small business size standard is 20 employees.

This requirement is full and open with no set-aside restrictions.

(v) This requirement is to acquire the following commercial item for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Tecan Fluent 1080 (brand name or equal), Infinite Microplate Reader, and a TeVacS with Vacuum Control. NCATS facilitates drug discovery from target validation to preclinical stages, focusing on the preclinical phase of drug discovery and development. This allows NCATS to streamline wide gaps in time, resources, and efforts which often exist when testing for a new drug in preclinical research setting. Tecan automated liquid handler platform is required to screen 80 – 240 compounds weekly which are created by NCATS medicinal chemist. The Tecan Fluent 1080 will allow the Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetic (DMPK) Core lab to further screen compounds and their ADME properties. The acquisition of the Tecan Fluent 1080 will allow the DMPK Core Lab to efficiently screen more compounds which will provide the group and all NCATS with higher throughput capabilities.

(vi) 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 part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which mission it is to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions.

NCATS Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetic (DMPK) Core requires a Tecan Fluent in the main laboratory. The new Tecan Fluent platform will enhance the high throughput screening capabilities for not only the DMPK but for all NCATS when screening compounds for Tier I ADME properties. The Tecan Fluent platform will be able to accommodate up to 6 plates on the bench top depth of the instrument. The system will offer one touch easy teaching for third party devices. Attached to the new Tecan Fluent will be the Liquid Handling Arm (LHA) and Robotic Manipulating Arm (RMA) which will allow the system to transfer volumes down to 200nL and dispense different volumes simultaneously. This will save resources and time when running experiments. The Infinite Microplate Reader which will be attached to the new Tecan Fluent will be able to detect UV-Vis and fluorescence which we use in our DMPK laboratory daily when screening assays along with the T-VacS vacuum control. Overall, the Tecan Fluent platform software will provide a dedicated operator interface for the easy daily running of the system. In addition, the Infinite Microplate Reader instrument software will provide luminescence and fluorescence-based detection, which is another highly used detection modality.

Salient Characteristics:

This equipment must:

Fluent General Platform

• The system must be able to accommodate up to 6 plates in the bench top depth of the instrument.

• System must be teach free for standard microplate modules.

• System must offer one touch easy teaching for third party devices.

• The system must offer a tailored and customizable run time environment separate from the setup software.

• The system must have an integrated controlled e.g., touch screen for daily operation/ operation without keyboard.

Liquid Handling Arm and Robotic Manipulating Arm

• System must be able to transfer volumes down to 200nl.

• Each tip must be able to dispense a different volume at the same time.

• Each pipetting channel must be able to individually access samples, one at a time.

• The disposable tip system must be able to offer nested tips for increased capacity and to dispose of the nesting wafers without use of gripper arm.

• High pipetting security must be available through sensitive and adaptive liquid level detection. The system must recognize no liquid, not enough liquid, incorrect aspiration with a single liquid level detection and aspiration supervision event generating dual and confirmatory signals.

• System must include an eight-tip liquid handling arm with variable distance between tips from 9 to 38mm. Each tip must be independently controlled and be used individually to access samples, one at a time.

• Pipetting in each tip of the 8 tips must be controlled with a precision motor which drives a plunger resulting in air displacement to enable sample pipetting.

• Pipetting system must NOT be driven by a liquid filled circuit activated by syringes. For simplified maintenance purposes, no liquid filled pipetting, no system fluid and waste bottles required. Water displacement technologies will not be considered because of contamination potential which is deleterious to RNA extraction protocols.

• Pipetting arm internal channels must be protected by an in-line filter.

• Pipetting technology must include.

o cLLD – capacitive Liquid Level Detection for use with conductive liquids o AST – Adaptive Signal Technology

• The instrument must utilize disposable tips. All tip sizes must utilize the same disposable tip adapter. Disposable tips are available in 10, 50, 200 and 1000 µL sizes.

• Disposables tips are available from the original manufacturer AND 3rd party plasticware suppliers. Tips must NOT be restricted to a patented design. Disposable tips for the system must be available from at least 3 DIFFERENT manufacturing sources.

• The instrument must have a pipetting range from 0.5uL to 1000ul.

• All liquid handling parameters, such as air gap sizes, aspiration and dispense speeds and mixing must be accessible to the operator and must be easily accessible for change.

• The system must be able to utilize up to two independent arms for greater throughput through multitasking. A Liquid Handling arm as well as an independent robotic gripper arm to move labware and consumables around the work surface.

• For any reason, there must be the possibility to easily upgrade or exchange the arms of the robotic system at the customer’s site.

• System must be enclosed with Plexiglas protection shields, securing the work deck and user accidental tampering.

• The Robotic gripper should have access to the edges (side, front and rear) of the system to allow optimal device integration and minimize occupation of the liquid handling area.

• Operator must be able to stop the operation of the instrument by opening the front shield.

Software

• The system must provide a dedicated operator interface for the easy daily running of the system. The system will preferably offer a touch interface rather than keyboard and mouse.

• The system must allow support less experienced users to set up the system - such as embedded usage guides, SOPs, photos, or videos.

• Editing of the software protocol must be able to be navigated from a single program interface.

• System software is equipped with an instrument simulator that can be installed on many separate PC to program entire functional methods at a remote location while the actual instrument is running.

• The virtual simulator must visually reproduce instrument movements and respond with the same return commands as the actual instrument.

Accessories, Storage and Miscellaneous

• The system must be able to accommodate single tube-racks for microfuge tubes in an arrangement of 1x32 tubes.

• Instrument must have an open-deck arrangement where individual labware carriers are removable.

• Instrument must enable the possibility of carrier mounting to a lower surface below the primary worktable surface for form a “lower deck”.

• The system must have a front-mounted touchscreen where a Graphical User Interface may be used to run the method. This front-mounted touchscreen must be separate from the monitor used with the instrument control computer.

• The system must enable customized Graphical User Interfaces for showing run setup, inputting settings such as sample count, volume, number of plates, etc. into the script, as well as enable selection of worklist f iles from a Windows directory.

Integrated Peripherals

• The system can be integrated with a fully automated multimode microplate reader which includes Absorbance and Fluorescence.

• The system must include a shaking device with variable orbital settings and software-controlled speed.

• The system must have 3 cooling devices (+4C to 70C) critical for keeping precious reagents at 4C and enabling complex protocol incubations.

See Attachment 1 – Purchase Description for complete details and specifications.

(vii) The Government anticipates award of a firm fixed-price purchase order for this acquisition, and the anticipated delivery date is immediately after contractor receipt of order (ARO). Performance shall be FOB Destination and shall be delivered to 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except on Federal Holidays).

(viii) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. 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 identif ier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at these addresses:

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html

(End of provision)

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

• FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018)

• FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Jul 2016)

• FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999)>

• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

• FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certif ications-Commercial Items (Oct

2018)

• FAR 52.214-34 Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991)

• FAR 52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991)

• FAR 52.225-4 Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certif icate

(Feb 2021)-Alternate I (Jan 2021) – Attachment 6

• FAR 52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Engaging in Certain

Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certif ications (Jun 2020)

• HHSAR 352.239-73 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice (December 18, 2015)

The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. 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 these addresses:

(End of clause)

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

• FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)

• FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Jul 2016)

• FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items (Oct 2018).

Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached.

• FAR 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021)

• HHSAR 352.222-70 Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity

Investigations (December 18, 2015)

• HHSAR 352.239-74 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility

(December 18, 2015)

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are attached in full text: Offerors MUST complete the provisions at 52.204-26 and 52.204-24 in accordance with FAR 4.2103 Procedures and submit completed copies as separate documents with their proposal if applicable.

• FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021) – Attachment

• FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services- Representation (Oct 2020) – Attachment 4

• FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2022) – See Attachment 7 for additional clauses IBR

• NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions with IPP (Rev. 4/21/2022) – Attachment 8

• NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions without IPP (Rev. 4/21/2022) – Attachment 9

(ix) The Government will evaluate quotations or offers in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 and award a purchase order from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

a. Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement;

b. Price; and

c. Past performance [see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)].

(x) The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer. If the offeror has completed FAR clause 52.212-3 at www.sam.gov, then the offeror does not need to provide a completed copy with its offer.

(xi) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached.

(xii) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is attached in full text.

(xiii) The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices.

There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition.

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

(xv) Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s), product description, and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance, special features required for effective program performance, trade-in considerations, probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item, warranty considerations, maintenance availability, and environmental and energy efficiency considerations.

Respondents proposing on an equal product 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.

The Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, the Taxpayer Identif ication Number (TIN), and the certif ication of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

All quotations must be received by 3:00 PM, Eastern Daylight/ Standard Time, on August 4th, 2023 and reference Solicitation Number 75N95023Q00295. Responses must be submitted electronically to Chandani Hangilipola, Contract Specialist at chandani.hangilipola@nih.gov.

Fax responses will not be accepted.

CSS Attachments

Attachment 1 Purchase Description Attachment 2 FAR Clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions— Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) Addendum http://www.sam.gov/

Attachment 3 FAR Provision 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021) Certif ication Attachment 4 FAR Provision 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020) Certif ication Attachment 5 FAR Provision 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certif ications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2022) Attachment 6 FAR Provision 52.225-4 Buy American-Free Trade Agreements- Israeli Trade Act Certif icate (Feb 2021)-Alternate I (Jan 2021) Attachment 7 FAR Clause 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2022) Attachment 8 NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions with IPP (Rev. 4/21/2022) Attachment 9 NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions without IPP (Rev. 4/21/2022)