Combined_Synopsis_RFQ_4174402.doc

General Information

Document Type:

Combined Synopsis / Solicitation Notice

Solicitation Number:

N02CO62695-78

Posted Date:

9/1/2016

Response Date:

9/6/16 9:00 AM ET

Classification Code:

66 – Instruments and Laboratory Equipment

NAICS Code:

334516– Analytical Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

Business Size Standard: 500 Employees Contracting Office Address

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E136, Rockville, MD 20850, UNITED STATES.

Description

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), LGI Flow Cytometry Core Facility, intends to procure one (1) brand name Sony SA3800 Special Cell Analyzer, or equal.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and under the authority to use simplified procedures for commercial requirements as provided in FAR 13.5. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation: No. N02CO62695-78 includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR FAC 2005-89 (August 15, 2016).

The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1000 employees.

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract.

Description of Requirement The salient characteristics for the Special Cell Analyzer are:

Light collection and detection system:

· The new instrument must be able to measure, account for and fully utilize all fluorescence emission from each cell. The current LGI Flow Cytometry Core Facility analyzers use a conventional method of analysis that loses overlapping emission signals. An instrument capable of capturing all photons emitted from 420nm to 800nm, delivering optimal signal with a minimal loss of light, is required.

· The new instrument must have the ability to optimize the fluorescence signal of all fluorochromes with emission between 420nm to 800nm simultaneously. An instrument designed with at least a 32 PMT array to maximize photon capture in this emission spectra to enhance dim signal and rare population detection is required.

· The lasers, filters and PMTs required to provide emission between 420nm to 800nm must be included.

· The instrument design should have collinear lasers, that will not require setting individual laser delays.

· The instrument must have Area, Height, and Width parameters for all detectors.

· The instrument must be able to analyze cells from 0.5 μm to 40 μm in size.

Setup and workflow:

· The new instrument will be used to train novice investigators, therefore, it is critical that the instrument setup be efficient and easy to learn. An instrument that requires only one PMT adjustment to optimize the settings on a sample stained with all fluorochromes used in the experiment is required.

· The conventional order of analyzing single stained control tubes to setup the instrument must be possible as well.

· The instrument must be capable of creating a library of single stained controls that can be imported and used from another similar experiment when the controls needed for the experiment are not useable or available.

· The instrument design should have a large dynamic range (a minimum of 6 logs) to make it possible to see all significant cell populations simultaneously. This is needed to analyze large tumor cells on the same linear scale as smaller hematopoietic cells as well as cells of various levels of fluorescence.

Autosampler:

· The instrument must have an Autosampler with a programmable sample mixing option.

· It is critical that the sample probe be automatically washed inside and outside to avoid carryover between samples and have less than 0.1% carryover between samples when operating under normal conditions.

· The Autosampler must be fully software driven with no mechanical setup required.

· It is critical that sample analysis can be easily switched from tubes (12 x 75 mm) to standard microtiter plates (96-well or 384-well), and the samples can be temperature controlled.

Autofluorescence:

· The new instrument must be able to identify and analyze autofluorescence as a unique parameter to enable it to be parsed out as a separate contributor to total cellular fluorescence. This capability will enable several NCI investigators who analyze cells having various levels of autofluorescence to eliminate false positives. Specifically, with fluorochromes that share a similar emission range with autofluorescence. The instrument must be designed to identify multiple populations of autofluorescence in heterogeneous cell samples.

Design:

· Space in the LGI Flow Cytometry Core Facility is extremely limited. The new instrument must have a relatively small footprint. The new instrument can have a maximum footprint of W: 30 in. x H: 30 in. x D: 30 in. to fit into the available space.

· It is imperative that the instrument be as quite as possible. The instrument should not have an external compressor that would add appreciable noise to the facility.

Operational expenses:

· It is imperative that the instrument automatically goes into standby mode between samples and when not in use. This will save sheath fluid and protect the instrument if an investigator forgets to put it in standby after completing the experiment.

· It is critical that the analysis software is free and available for multiple users. This will allow investigators the ability to analyze experimental data on their desk computers and not take valuable instrument time for data analysis.

· The instrument should have the ability to use water as sheath fluid, if necessary, as a cost saver.

Safety:

· It is imperative that pressurization of sample is not required. This reduces the risk of potentially creating biologically hazardous aerosols.

· It is critical that the samples are shielded behind an enclosure and the instrument will not operate if the enclosure is opened.

Service:

· The investigators using the LGI Flow Cytometry Core Facility have time sensitive experiments and it is critical that instrument issues be resolved as soon as possible. Immediate telephone support is essential as a first line of service. Remote troubleshooting capability using the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic software is desirable.

· When an instrument issue cannot be resolved with telephone technical support and a service engineer is required. The cytometer must be serviceable by an OEM trained engineer with a 48-hour guaranteed on-site repair response time.

· Novel experiments often require the need for assistance from an Applications Specialist by telephone and on-site during the experiment. An Applications Scientist from the OEM will be required to assist in training Core staff and investigators in proper analysis of these novel experiments. This resource will enable optimal use the new instrument.

Data:

· It is essential that the instrument have the ability to analyze samples using doublet discrimination and color event gating similar to the other analyzers in the LGI Flow Cytometry Core Facility.

· The current analyzers in the Core are unable to analyze the fluorochromes Brilliant Violet 421 and Pacific Blue simultaneously. An instrument capable of analyzing these two fluorochromes simultaneously, is desired to support the research of some of our investigators.

Training:

· Comprehensive training on the instrument is essential for Core staff. A minimum of 2 days of free training after installation of the instrument as well as support with new applications, by an Applications Scientist from the OEM is required.

· It is critical that experiments previously done on other instruments in the Core be done in tandem on the new instrument to compare and validate results. A minimum of 3 antibodies from the OEM will be required to analyze samples from experiments that will be transitioned from other instruments to the new instrument.

Delivery: Contractor(s) shall deliver the item within 90 days after award to: NIH/NCI Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The Contractor that receives the award will be provided with the complete mailing address and point of contact. The contractor must notify the NCI Technical Point of Contact to schedule the delivery and installation date and time.

Installation: To be carried out by the manufacturer and shall occur within approximately one week of delivery.

Payment: Payment shall be made after delivery, installation and acceptance of the required equipment.

PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The following Federal Acquisition Regulation and Health & Human Services Acquisition Regulation Provisions/Clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 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 this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and/or http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/.

FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2015)

FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2015)

FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY

2015)

FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAR

2016). The following FAR clauses cited in paragraph (b) of the clause at FAR

52.212-5 are also applicable to this acquisition:

FAR Clause 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government.

FAR Clause 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards.

FAR Clause 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment.

FAR Clause 52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns.

FAR Clause 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns.

FAR Clause 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation.

FAR Clause 52.222-3 Convict Labor.

FAR Clause 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies

FAR Clause 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities.

FAR Clause 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity.

FAR Clause 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans.

FAR Clause 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities

FAR Clause 52.222-37 Employment Reports of Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans

FAR Clause 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act.

FAR Clause 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving.

FAR Clause 52.225-3 Buy American—Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act.

FAR Clause 52.225-5 Trade Agreements.

FAR Clause 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases

FAR Clause 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer–System for Award

Management.

FAR Clause 52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels.

HHSAR 352.203-70 ANTI-LOBBYING (DEC 2015)

Pursuant to the HHS annual appropriations acts, except for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, the Contractor shall not use any HHS contract funds for:

(a) Publicity or propaganda purposes;

(b) The preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, electronic communication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before the Congress or any State or local legislature or legislative body, except in presentation to the Congress or any state or local legislature itself; or designed to support or defeat any proposed or pending regulation, administrative action, or order issued by the executive branch of any state or local government, except in presentation to the executive branch of any state or local government itself; or (c) Payment of salary or expenses of the Contractor, or any agent acting for the Contractor, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action, or Executive order proposed or pending before the Congress or any state government, state legislature or local legislature or legislative body, other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships or participation by an agency or officer of a state, local, or tribal government in policymaking and administrative processes within the executive branch of that government.

(d) The prohibitions in subsections (a), (b), and (c) above shall include any activity to advocate or promote any proposed, pending, or future federal, state, or local tax increase, or any proposed, pending, or future requirement for, or restriction on, any legal consumer product, including its sale or marketing, including, but not limited to, the advocacy or promotion of gun control.

HHSAR 352.222-70 CONTRACTOR COOPERATION IN EQUAL

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (DEC 2015)

Full text copies of the representations and certifications for other cited provisions and clauses may be obtained on line at the NCI website at http://rcb.cancer.gov/rcb-internet/index.jsp or from Francisco Mendoza, Contracting Officer at Francisco.mendoza@nih.gov.

FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999)

(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as “brand name or equal,” the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that “equal” products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

(b) To be considered for award, offers of “equal” products, including “equal” products of the brand name manufacturer, must—

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

(2) Clearly identify the item by—

(i) Brand name, if any; and

(ii) Make or model number;

(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and

(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.

(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate “equal” products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an “equal” product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

The award decision will be based on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) determination. Award will be made on all or none basis. A technically acceptable quote is one that meets the salient characteristics, and meets the delivery and installations requirements.

Quotations must be received in the NCI-OA contracting office by 9:00 a.m. ET on September 6, 2016. Please refer to solicitation number N02CO62695-78 on all correspondence. No collect calls will be accepted. Quotations shall be emailed to Francisco Mendoza, Contracting Officer at francisco.mendoza@nih.gov. All questions shall be in writing and may be addressed to the aforementioned individual noted above and shall be received by 3:00 p.m. ET on September 2, 2016. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management through sam.gov and have complete Representations and Certifications at sam.gov or provide a copy to the aforementioned individual prior to award.