FBO_4_Illumina_NEXTSEQ_SMA_FY24_2.docx

DESCRIPTION: The National Institutes of Health - NIAAA intends to procure the services of a contractor to provide a (Silver) Service Support for the NEXTSEQ 2000 Sequencer. The NextSeq 2000 sequencer is used by the Laboratory of Neurogenetics primarily for single cell and exome sequencing which needs to be kept up to date. The contract includes full coverage for parts, labor, and travel for repairs and 1 preventative maintenance (PM) per year; reagent replacement upon hardware failure This exclusive service is for parts (reagents), remote technical support, control software and hardware updates to keep the machine working in state of the art condition; on- site applications support (as needed) and discounts on advanced training. The Silver Support plan offers fast, on-site service with no additional hidden fees or extra costs designed to maximize performance while minimizing downtime while assisting in regulator compliance with routine documented preventative maintenance which can only be sourced from the manufacturer, Illumina, Inc.

Background and Justification:

The mission of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is to support and conduct research on the impact of alcohol use on human health and well-being.

NIAAA 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 using state of the art methodologies.

The maintenance agreement for the NextSeq2000 sequencer is sought to ensure performance of the sequencer that is used by members of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics for single cell sequencing aimed at discovering genetic changes resulting from alcohol exposure and other drugs of abuse. Other sequencing projects can also be carried out using the NextSeq 2000. In order for reliable data to be gathered the sequencer used must be in top condition with the latest updates to software and hardware.

The NextDeq2000 uses various Flow Cell types (small genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing) and even analyses mRNA and small RNA sequencing and so, it always needed at the Lab for this or that project. As the manufacturer of the NextSeq2000, Illumina, Inc is uniquely situated to provide service for the instrument. The Illumina product support service team includes highly qualified field service engineers (FSE), technical applications scientists (TAS), field application scientists (FAS) and others that are deeply familiar with the intricacies of the NextSeq2000 system and are thus able to deliver expedient and accurate services. The maintenance contract will allow the Laboratory of Neurogenetics to continue our research using the NextSeq2000 knowing that should there be a problem with the instrument we would have fast, on-site service with no hidden fees or extra costs. Purchase of the maintenance service from Illumina, Inc. is required because the Next2000 is a highly specialized instrument, which is sold and serviced exclusively by Illumina. No other company or service has the unique knowledge and equipment to service, repair and upgrade the instrument. The use of any company or vendor other than Illumina will void the warranty on the instrument.

This proposed procurement is for a service for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis to Illumina Inc., located at 5200 Illumina Way San Diego CA 92122-4616. In order to comply with the requirements in this Special Notice# NICHD-24-012, the responses should be based on our interpretation of the general requirements provided below.

The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit quotations. This notice of intent NICHD-24-012 is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all quotes received within the time and date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 811210 and the business size standard is $22m. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13.

HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this project, interested parties must be registered in the Central Contracting Registration and submit a price quotation by 10:00 am, ET, November 13th 2023. Offerors may submit one copy of the quote to MOE FILALI by email. Electronic transmissions to Moe.Filali@nih.gov are preferable but must be timely. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure the proposal is received by the date and time shown above.

The following Federal Acquisition Regulations clauses are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Mar 2005), 52.212-4 (Sept 2005), 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes of Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Aug 2006). (6)(i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Apr 2002) (E.O. 11246). (18) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Dec 2001) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (19) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998) (29 U.S.C. 793). (20) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Dec 2001) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (31) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

Telecommunication Clause and Provision:

FAR 52.204–24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, and the clause at FAR 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment as prescribed— with an entity that uses “any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.”

Primary Point of Contact:

MOE FILALI Contracting Office Address:

NIH/NICHD Office of Acquisitions 6710B Rockledge Drive, Room 1145D Bethesda, MD 20817

(w) 301.827 7737 Moe.filali@nih.gov