NOI_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

Pre-solicitation Notice/Notice of Intent to Sole Source

This pre-solicitation notice is being posted in accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Overall (RFO) 5.101.

(1) Point of contact. Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Melissa Onyszko (CO)

381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170 melissa_onyszko@ibc.doi.gov

(2) Set-asides. No set-aside will be utilized. This is a sole source acquisition on behalf of National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR).

(3) Codes for services or supplies. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) NAICS 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

(4) Description.

(i) One Miltenyi autoMACS NEO and MACS MiniSampler, which will replace an existing Miltenyi autoMACS Pro magnetic cell separator which is no longer operable. Replacement of this instrument is essential to maintain uninterrupted cell separation capabilities.

(ii) AQD intends on issuing a sole source acquisition in accordance with RFO Part 12; this acquisition is a bona fide need of Fiscal Year 2026.

(iii)It is not anticipated that the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA) and/or a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will apply to this acquisition.

(v)Construction is not applicable to this acquisition.

(vi) Vendors interested in providing alternative cell separation instruments should provide the following information in no more than 2 pages no later than 2 PM ET, July 23, 2026:

1. Vendor name

2. System for Award Management Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI)

3. Size standard under the NAICS code referenced in this notice

4. Description of the instrument, demonstrating it can meet the salient characteristics listed further in this notice

5. If the item can be acquired through a re-seller. If so, provide a list of resellers with UEI numbers

6. If the item is available through any established government-wide vehicle, such as

General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedules.

(vii) The intended source is a Miltenyi autoMACS NEO and MACS MiniSampler. The autoMACS NEO provides direct continuity with existing Miltenyi-based workflows. Numerous established protocols and applications have been optimized and validated on the autoMACS platform.

Transitioning to an alternative manufacturer's system would require extensive method revalidation, staff retraining, protocol redevelopment, and potential modification of ongoing research studies, resulting in increased costs, delays, and operational disruption. Acquisition of the autoMACS Neo will ensure compatibility with existing workflows, minimize downtime, and maintain the quality, reproducibility, and efficiency of cell separation services.

(viii)State whether an offeror or its product or service must meet a qualification requirement in order to be eligible for award; and if so, identify the office from which the qualification requirement may be obtained. No specific “qualification requirements” are required. However, alternate sources other than the Miltenyi autoMACS NEO and MACS MiniSampler must meet the salient characteristics.

Salient characteristics:

• Provide fully automated immunomagnetic cell separation for research applications with minimal user intervention and hands-free operation.

• Support automated cell labeling and magnetic separation workflows within a single integrated platform.

• Be capable of processing multiple samples in an automated manner to improve throughput, efficiency, and reproducibility.

• Accommodate a variety of starting sample materials, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), dissociated tissue samples, whole blood, buffy coat preparations, and bone marrow specimens.

• Provide high-performance magnetic cell separation with reproducible recovery, purity, and viability suitable for flow cytometry and downstream cellular analyses.

• Include integrated temperature-control capabilities for reagents and samples during automated processing to maintain sample integrity and viability.

• Include all required reagent racks, sample holders, cooling accessories, separation columns, column substitutes, fluidics components, and consumable interfaces necessary for full instrument operation upon installation.

• Utilize automated magnetic separation technology with disposable or replaceable column-based separation capability to support a broad range of cell isolation applications.

• Include an integrated, manufacturer-supported automated sample handling accessory that is fully compatible with the magnetic cell separation platform and enables automated sample loading, transfer, and processing as part of established workflows.

• Support hands-free automated sample handling and processing to increase throughput, reduce manual labor, and minimize operator-to-operator variability.

• Maintain compatibility with existing validated immunomagnetic cell separation workflows and protocols currently used within the Core Facility, minimizing the need for method redevelopment, retraining, or revalidation.

• Be supplied with all components, covers, hardware, and accessories required for complete installation and operation of both the separation instrument and automated sample handling system.

• Have a compact footprint suitable for installation and operation within the existing OSTR Building 41 Flow Cytometry Core laboratory environment.

• Be supported by the manufacturer for installation, operation, maintenance, and service to ensure long-term reliability and continuity of Core Facility operations.

• Maintain the quality, reproducibility, and efficiency of cell separation services while minimizing operational disruption to ongoing research programs.

**The Government will not reimburse vendors for any response preparation fees and a request for quote (RFQ) for competitive offerors is not guaranteed from this notice.