NICHD-23-236.Combined Synopsis Solicitation.REVISED.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION WORKFORM

(1) Action Code: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

(2) Date: 6/28/2023

(3) Year: 2023

(4) Contracting Office Zip Code: 20892

(5) Project Service Code: 6640 - LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

AND SUPPLIES

(6) Contracting Office Address:

6710B Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892

(7) Subject/Title: Acquisition of a Supercontinuum Laser Source

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: NICHD-23-236

(9) Closing Response Date: 7/11/2023

(10) Contact Point: Amber Harris

(11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number: TBD

(12) Contract Award Dollar Amount: TBD

(13) Contract Line Item Number(s): TBD

(14) Contractor Award Date: TBD

(15) Contractor Name: TBD

(16) Description: (Background)

(i) “This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.”

(ii) The solicitation number is NICHD-23-236 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document, the incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04 Effective June 2, 2023.

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and the small business size standard is 1,000. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13.

(v) The Contractor Requirements are listed below:

1.0 PURCHASE ORDER TITLE

Acquisition of a Supercontinuum Laser Source

2.0 BACKGROUND

A supercontinuum laser source with broad tunability is required for time-resolved spectroscopy experiments to be performed using a homemade spectrometer. The supercontinuum source requires a high enough power to achieve adequate signal to noise ratios and a high repetition rate to be able to obtain measurements over a wide range of time delays in a reasonable amount of time.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this requirement is to procure a supercontinuum laser source and tunable filter capable of providing an adequate laser beam over a wide tunable range for use as a probe beam on a homemade spectrometer for use in time-resolved spectroscopy experiments of biomolecules.

4.0 SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

A supercontinuum laser source with broad tunability is required for time-resolved spectroscopy experiments to be performed using a homemade spectrometer. The supercontinuum source requires a high enough power to achieve adequate signal to noise ratios and a high repetition rate to be able to obtain measurements over a wide range of time delays in a reasonable amount of time.

For time-resolved spectrometer setup, we desire the ability to probe a wide range of wavelengths to observe changes in absorbance spectrum of substances of interest during experiments. A supercontinuum source will provide a white laser while a tunable filter can be used to select a wavelength to probe the sample. At a minimum, we hope to achieve 1 mW/nm power over a majority of the visible range, as well as probe wavelengths as low as 400 nm.

To make the most of the homemade spectrometer developed, we require the ability to probe a wide range of wavelengths. To do this, we require a beam of good quality and reasonable diameter (M2 = ~1.1 and 1-3 mm respectively) with a power that allows us to obtain a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio. An average power above 1 mW/nm would be sufficient for this purpose. Such a beam is provided by the Leukos Rock 400 4 supercontinuum source and Bebop tunable filter.

Task Areas:

Task Area 1 – delivery timelines – Vendor will ship within 16 weeks, depending on production.

Task Area 2 – shipping instructions – The vendor will ship the scope directly to the requester.

5.0 PURCHASE ORDER TYPE

This Purchase Order is to be a firm fixed price.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BREAKDOWN

Within 16 Weeks of Award

7.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Inspection and acceptance will be performed at the place of installation - National Institutes of Health, NIDDK, 9000 Rockville Pike, Maryland 20892.

(vi) 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 LEUKOS high power supercontinuum laser.

(vii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(viii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable.

Award will be made to the contractor providing the most advantageous quote to the Government. Technical factors and price considered with technical factors outweighing price.

Specifically, the following technical factors will be evaluated:

i. The vendor will be evaluated on their quoted product meeting the specifications under section 4.0 SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

ii. The Offeror should note that the evaluation criteria listed in order of importance are:

A. Technical – The equipment proposed by the vendor meets the requirements in the SOW and matches the items listed below.

B. Cost/Price

The technical factors are as follows:

Equipment Specifications:

A supercontinuum laser source with broad tunability is required for time-resolved spectroscopy experiments to be performed using a homemade spectrometer.

The supercontinuum source requires a high enough power to achieve adequate signal to noise ratios and a high repetition rate to be able to obtain measurements over a wide range of time delays in a reasonable amount of time.

For time-resolved spectrometer setup, we desire the ability to probe a wide range of wavelengths to observe changes in absorbance spectrum of substances of interest during experiments. A supercontinuum source will provide a white laser while a tunable filter can be used to select a wavelength to probe the sample. At a minimum, we hope to achieve 1 mW/nm power over a majority of the visible range, as well as probe wavelengths as low as 400 nm.

To make the most of the homemade spectrometer developed, we require the ability to probe a wide range of wavelengths. To do this, we require a beam of good quality and reasonable diameter (M2 = ~1.1 and 1-3 mm respectively) with a power that allows us to obtain a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio. An average power above 1 mW/nm would be sufficient for this purpose. Such a beam is provided by the Leukos Rock 400 4 supercontinuum source and Bebop tunable filter.

According to the vendor, the equipment would be available for shipment between 10-16 weeks, depending on production.

Shipping Instructions - The vendor will ship the scope directly to the requester.

Evaluation Criteria Acceptable Unacceptable

Technical The services proposed by the vendor meet the requirements in the SOW

Summary Overall Rating (Overall Risk)

Cost/Price Offerors will be evaluated based upon cost/price completeness and accuracy to determine the validity of the price, realism, reasonableness, and risk.

Technical Evaluation Rating Definitions

(ix) FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, is applicable. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) of this provision.

Rating Definition Acceptable Proposal meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements, and risk of unsuccessful performance is no worse than moderate.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet requirements of the solicitation, and thus, contains one or more deficiencies, and/or risk of unsuccessful performance is unacceptable.

http://www.acquisition.gov/

(x) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xi) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Including the following clauses and Prohibitions:

i. 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation

ii. 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies

(Jan 2014) (E.O. 13126).

iii. 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities

iv. 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity

v. 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities

vi. 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons

vii. 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving

viii. 52.225-1, Buy American--Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83)

ix. 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases

Additional Clauses:

i. 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

ii. 52.232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

iii. FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal

(xii) Additional Contract Requirements:

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe

PDF format using 11- point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

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)

(xiii) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating are not applicable.

(xiv) Offers shall be submitted via email to amber.harris@nih.gov and must reference NICHD- 23-236 in the subject line.

(17) Place of Contract Performance:

National Institute of Health, NIDDK 5 Memorial Drive

Bethesda, MD 20892

(18) Set-aside Status: This requirement is not set aside for small business.

mailto:amber.harris@nih.gov