A14_MR_RFI_Robotic_Arm_System_1.pdf

Request For Information/Sources Sought Notice

Center For Cancer Research Automated Robotic Arm System for Imaging Platform

INTRODUCTION

The Department of the Interior (DOI) Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), on behalf of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression (LRBGE), is seeking sources and information for market research purposes. The goal is to determine the availability of an automated robotic arm system with software integration to restore plate-handling capabilities within the existing NIH high-throughput imaging automation platform.

AQD has posted a separate Notice (DOIDFB0260035) to the System for Award Management (SAM) seeking availability of a spinning disk confocal microscope to replace NCI’s current Yokogawa CV7000 microscope.

This notice is for market research purposes only. The information from this market research will assist the Government with acquisition planning.

BACKGROUND

The NCI’s High-Throughput Imaging Facility operates an automated high-throughput imaging platform used to conduct multi-plate imaging experiments in support of NIH research programs. The prior robotic arm integrated within this legacy system is obsolete and no longer functional. The scope of any future project will include the restoration of automated plate-handling capability to support integration with a newly acquired high-throughput imaging system. The robotic arm would be required to integrate with an existing NIH-owned automation platform that remains fully serviceable. The platform includes a pre-positioned robotic mounting table, three vertically configured plate hotels, integrated safety shielding and interlocks, a fixed barcode reader, and a dedicated control workstation. The automation platform operates through an established scheduling software architecture that coordinates robotic motion, plate handling, barcode tracking, and instrument interface commands. Any replacement robotic arm would have to maintain compatibility with this established automation platform architecture. Any future project would include robotic arm hardware, robotic arm compatible integration software, integration and configuration services, mounting hardware, and shipping of the materials.

INFORMATION SUBMITTAL

In response to this notice provide the following:

1. Respondent’s company name; email and phone number for the point of contact; Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in the System for Award Management (SAM).

2. Business size in SAM utilizing North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

3. Indicate if the respondent believes another NAICS is more appropriate.

4. Manufacturer and item number of the suggested robotic arm system, along with detailed information indicating the physical, functional, and software characteristics of the system.

Ensure to include: a) the specific name of the software, b) the manufacturer name of any products included in the system.

5. Indicate if the robotic arm system and its required integration software is commercially available in the marketplace.

6. Indicate if the respondent’s robotic arm system and its required integration software is available on General Services Administration’s Federal Supply Schedules or on another federal commercial marketplace.

7. Indicate the expected “life” of the robotic arm system and its associated software.

8. As it relates to the Trade Agreement Act and the Buy American statute, indicate the country of origin of the robotic arm system and its associated software. Refer to Federal Acquisition Regulations 25.402. Subpart 25.4 - Trade Agreements | Acquisition.GOV.

9. Indicate whether the robotic arm system identified by the respondent can be leased. If it can be leased, the respondent is requested to provide a rough order of magnitude for the expected “life” of the system.

QUESTIONS

Please submit all questions/comments via one email directly to BOTH Melissa Onyszko at melissa_onyszko@ibc.doi.gov and Desmond Harris at desmond_harris@ibc.doi.gov no later than 9 AM ET, 03/31/26. Vendor questions and Government responses will be distributed to all vendors. No questions will be addressed via oral communication.

Should any request for clarification be received after the date and time stated above, the Government reserves the right not to provide an answer. If, however, in the Government’s opinion, the request for clarification cites an issue of significant importance, the Government may provide written responses to all potential providers. Please note, questions and comments will not be protected by the Government as proprietary.

Responses are due no later than 9 AM ET, 04/08/26. Submissions shall be submitted via email to BOTH Melissa Onyszko at melissa_onyszko@ibc.doi.gov and Desmond Harris at desmond_harris@ibc.doi.gov.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This notice is being issued solely for market research information and acquisition planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This notice does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking quotes and will not accept unsolicited quotes. Responders are advised that the Government will not reimburse for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice; all costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested parties’ expense. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in a future RFQ, if one is issued.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 U.S.C. 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a solicitation. In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement, information regarding technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-25.4