NICHD-23-329.SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

(Acquisition of an NMR 700 Equipment Upgrade)

AGENCY: The National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

TITLE: Acquisition of an NMR 700 Equipment Upgrade

PROPOSED SOLICITATION NUMBER: NICHD-23-329

PROJECT SERVICE CODE: 6640 – LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

AND SUPPLIES

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. There is no solicitation available at this time.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of all qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification according to the North American Industry Classification System, (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set- aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

BACKGROUND:

The Sections of Biophysical NMR (Bax), Molecular and Structural Biophysics (Clore) and in the Laboratory of Chemical Physics have a primary focus placed on a number of systems related to the structural biology of HIV-1, including Gag, capsid, protease, reverse transcriptase, integrase and gp41, as well as various host proteins relevant to the pathogenesis of AIDS.

All our NMR spectrometers are being used to push the frontiers of NMR spectroscopy in structural biology, with considerable emphasis being placed on the application of these methods to AIDS related structural problems. These include work on HIV-1 nucleocapsid, HIV-1 Gag polyprotein, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the fusion and cytoplasmic domains of HIV-1 gp41, HIV-1 integrase, HIV-1 protease, and various host proteins that are relevant to the pathogenesis of AIDS.

Each NMR spectrometer comprises a superconducting magnet, a console that controls the generation, application and detection of radiofrequency pulses, and a probe (plus associated cryoplatform) that detects the NMR signal and transmits this to the console. In contrast to superconducting magnets which last effectively forever, technological improvements both in console and probe design significantly enhance capabilities and permit one to design ever more complex experiments that were not previously feasible. The NMR console (600 MHz system) we are seeking to upgrade is more than 8 years of age, and is no longer serviceable, and hence need upgrading. Further, the upgrades to the latest generation of console will increase attainable signal-to-noise by 20%, reduce spectrometer artefacts and facilitate high quality data acquisition in samples where the solvent is predominantly H2O (as opposed to D2O). (Note most NMR data are acquired in H2O to permit observation of exchange backbone and sidechain amide groups).

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this contract is to obtain an upgrade to Bruker NMR equipment in the Laboratory of Chemical Physics and Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK. This equipment upgrade will be placed on several systems related to the structural biology of HIV-1, including Gag, capsid, protease, reverse transcriptase, integrase and gp41, as well as various host proteins relevant to the pathogenesis of AIDS.

SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

The following Bruker NMR equipment is required for the Laboratory of Chemical Physics and Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK: The features of this requirement include:

1) Bruker Avance Neo 700 MHz console for Bruker 700 MHz spectrometer (NIH 10932853, Building 6, Room B127, S/N 10175641).

*The NIDDK’s existing Avance Neo 10175641 console is being traded-in for the new console.*

This is a competitive requirement being pursued through the authority granted in FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal. This is a requirement for a BRUKER NMR

CONSOLE AVANCE NEO 700 MHZ.

TASK AREAS:

Task Area 1 – Delivery – The contractor shall deliver the equipment upgrade compatible with the NMR spectrometer system that the item will be part of no later than 6 – 9 months ARO.

Task Area 2 – Shipping Instructions – The Contractor shall ship the equipment to the following locations:

Bruker Avance Neo 700 MHz – Building 6, Room B127, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD

For International Shipments the vendor shall hire a Customs Broker for the equipment.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Delivery Within 9 Months of Award

INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP):

Vendor/Contractor Must be able to accept payments via IPP (Invoice Processing Platform) The contractor may submit a request for an exception. See below for IPP, IPP helpdesk information and applicable Health and Human Services addendum clause.

INVOICING PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP) In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) M-15-19 memorandum "Improving Government Efficiency and Saving Taxpayer Dollars through Electronic Invoicing" directing Federal agencies to adopt electronic invoicing as the primary means to disburse payment to vendors. Invoices submitted under any award resulting from this solicitation will be required to utilize the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) in accordance with HHSAR 352.232-71, Electronic Submission and Processing of Payment Requests" IPP is a secure, web-based electronic invoicing system provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRSTL). Respondents to this solicitation are encouraged to register an account with IPP if they have not already done so. If your organization is already registered to use IPP, you will not be required to re-register however, we encourage you make sure your organization and designated IPP user accounts are valid and up to date. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov If you require assistance registering or IPP account access, please contact the IPP Helpdesk at (866) 973-3131 (M-F 8AM to 6PM ET), or IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov Note: Should an Offeror feel that use of the IPP would be unduly burdensome, the response to this solicitation should include an explanation of this position for a determination by the contracting officer.

HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Invoice Payment Requests (Feb 2022) will apply when this requirement is solicited and awarded. As stated: (a) Definitions. As used in this clause, Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), "Content of Invoices" and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system.

Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site. (c) The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

(d) If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contracting Officer's written authorization with each payment request.

(END OF CLAUSE)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

This Sources Sought is for an organization or institution to provide the NIDDK with the a BRUKER NMR CONSOLE AVANCE NEO 700 MHZ.

All qualified small businesses, whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses;

or small disadvantaged businesses; interested in submitting a corporate capability statement should demonstrate their capability to provide equipment that meets the characteristics above.

The vendor will be evaluated on their quoted supplies meeting the specifications under section SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

If you or your firm/business has an interest and possess the required expertise, we invite you to submit a corporate capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502- 2(b) whether or not this procurement will be set-aside for any of the programs described above. The associated NAICS code is 334516, with the small business size standard of 1,000. All respondents are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business.

Interested firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice should adhere to the following:

(a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement should contain sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding your capabilities. The capability statement should not exceed 15 pages using a font size 10 or larger.

(b) Small business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake the efforts should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. This capability statement should include: 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of scientists, medical experts, and technical personnel as they relate to the requirements, 3) a description of general and specific facilities and equipment available, including computer equipment and software, and 4) any other specific and relevant information that would improve the Government's consideration and evaluation of the information presented.

Further, Past Performance documentation, which should include, but not be limited to, a minimum of two (2) contracts performed for either Government or commercial organizations shall be provided. References shall include for each contract: names, titles, contract number, total price or cost, telephone numbers of government Contracting Officer Representative and Contracting Officers.

(c) All capability statements sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Point of Contact below in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The subject line must specify NICHD-23-329. Facsimile responses will not be accepted.

Electronically submitted capability statements are due no later than 9:00 AM (Eastern Prevailing Time) seven (7) calendar days (including date of submission to https://sam.gov) after posting of the Small Business Sources Sought Notice.

CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL

NOT BE CONSIDERED

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

https://sam.gov/