JA_Seq_1923521_Brand_Name_red.pdf

Justification and Approval at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Brand-Name

Project Title: Purchase of Keyence BZX Automated Fluorescence Microscope with Accessories

I . Identification of the agency and contracting activity DHHS, NIH, NIAID, Laboratory of Systems Requestors name: Derek Einhaus Requestors phone number: 301-761-5317 Requestors email address: derek.einhaus@nh.gov Address of the requesting lab/office: 4 Memorial Dr., Room 109B, Bethesda, MD 20892

II. Description of the project, and supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value)

A. Type of action: (check the appropriate box) ☒ New requirement

☐ Follow-on

• Name of the previous contractor(s): ________________________________

• Sequence number, if available: ____________________________________

• Was the initial and any subsequent awards competed? ☐ Yes ☐ No

B. AMBIS Sequence number for this requirement: 1923521 C. Total estimated dollar value of the requirement (including options, if applicable): 97,100.15 D. Period of performance, inclusive of options: 30 Days ARO E. Project Background

The Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB) investigates basic aspects of innate and adaptive immune function, with an emphasis on how the body, and more specifically, different cell types within the body discriminate between self and non-self. This discrimation is the crucial mechanism by which the body patrols itself and is able to respond approporiately upon infection by a microorganism. Using computational biological approaches coupled with more traditional biological experimentation, the LISB strives to build models of how the mammalian immune system respond to the pathogens and vaccines. The models allow for informed predictions as to how the body will respond when challenged by various vaccine formulations and infectious diseases.

In order to address these questions, it is imperative to know which cell types are present in a given experimental sample and to characterize the interactions between these diverse cell types.

Examination of how diverse cell cross-talk and how such activities coordinate during vaccination can only be done in the context of non-disrupted host physiology and thus requires dynamic imaging of intact animals. It is of paramount important that one can visualize as many cell types as possible for a given specimen. For this very reason, LISB is interesting in using different imaging modalities including fluorescence lifetime imaging to anyalize the samples both in the spectral and lifetime space to enhance the ability for multiplexed microscopic imaging.

F. Description of the supplies/services to be purchased

The proposed purchase will be used in the Center for Advance Tissue Imaging (CAT-I) within the LISB which focuses solely on high-tech imaging analysis and advanced microsopy techniques. The LISB has multiple high-end platforms already in use for imaging various samples and this acquisition will augument those capabilities using a low-cost altenrative. This particular microscope integrates with a novel robotics/fluidics high-paramter imaging system (Akoya Codex) which will be present in the lab. The Keyence BZX will allow gathered comparable data utilizing necessary levels of technologies s in order further the collection capabilities of CAT-I.

III. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (SELECT ONE)

☐ 41 USC 3304(a)(1) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 1 : Only one responsible source/Brand Name

☒ F A R P a r t 8 . 4 0 5 - 6 : Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), limited competition/Brand Name

Important Note: The statutory authority listed below will rarely ever be used in NIH. Before selecting this authority, please ensure that you have read and understood the citation and discussed it with the cognizant Contracting Officer.

☐ 41 USC 3304(a)(5) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 2 : A u t h o r i z e d o r r e q u i r e d b y s t a t u t e / B r a n d N a m e

IV. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

A. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s)

Keyence Corpoaton of America 669 River Drive Suite 403 Elmwood Park, NJ 07407

B. Describe why only the requested brand or brand name feature of the supply/service will meet the government’s needs.

The Keyence BZX Microscopes is the most useful and cost-effective platform for acquiring the fidelity of the images required. It is also compatible with the Codex platform within the LISB whereas the existing scopes are not compatible.

As the manufactuer of the Keyence BZX Microsocpe, Keyence Corporation of America is available to provide technical assistance, extended warranty, and third-party integration of application relevant to this platform.

The laboratory has been using multiple high-end platforms for imaging various samples which provides high quality imaging data to support the protocols in the development of vaccines for HIV, influenza and other viruses. The lab must maintain current protocols and analytical tools to insure smooth and simplified transition to an high-tech imaging microscope. Another fluorescence microscope system with similar characteristics of the requested model from another manufacturer with different analytic software will require extensive testing and adjustment before implementing the system into research and development routine which will cause significant delays in experiments.

V . Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable

Price determination will be included in acquisition file.

VI. Certification

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support my request (for the requestor) and approval (for the CO) of is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Requestor Certification

Derek Einshaus - Biologist 27 July 2018

Contracting Officer Approval

27 July 2018