Notice of Intent-8-26-2025.pdf

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Solicitation Number: 75N94025Q00195

Solicitation Type: Sole Source (Non-Competitive)

Title: NIDDK: Supplies: Microinjection System

(NAICS) CODE: 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a Size Standard of 1000.

PSC: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

Introduction

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT)

SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to the entity below:

CalibreScientific Global Distribution, Inc.

6201 Trust Drive Holland, Ohio 43528 United States of America

Background Information

The mission of the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is to conduct and support biomedical research, research training and development of scientists, and dissemination of science-based research results on diabetes and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and obesity; and infectious and immunologic diseases, to improve people’s health and quality of life.

As part of the statutorily required functions of the NIH, the NIDDK conducts and supports a wide range of biomedical research directly through intramural research within NIH laboratories, and externally through grants to universities and other medical research institutions across the country. In addition, NIDDK supports research training for students and scientists at various stages of their careers and a range of education and outreach programs to bring science-based information to patients and their families, health care professionals, and the public.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this purchase order is to obtain a microinjection system for NIDDK’s Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology for the Mammalian Developmental Biology Section. The Lab investigates molecular mechanisms that control differentiation and development in a range of model organisms to better understand normal biology and provide insight into human disease.

Period of Performance:

Delivery within 30 Days After Receipt of Award (ARO).

Contractor Requirements

The contractor is required to provide the microinjection system with the following Product Features/Salient Characteristics.

The user-friendlyTransferMan®4r combines ergonomic and innovative operation making it ideal for manipulation of suspension cells such as oocytes and blastocysts.

Application-specific user profiles simplify the individual workflow process with four predefined application masks to choose from (e.g. for cell transfer, DNA injection).

Unique DualSpeed'" joystick for precise, instantaneous control and positioning using two different speed modes

Ergonomically shaped control panel Optimized user interface for various applications simplifies work procedures Simple and quick capillary and sample change using automated home function Selection and programming of additional functions (e.g. storage of up to 5 positions, limit, Y-off) Comfortable, individual speed adjustment The system should be a fully electronic system. All X, Y, Z axis movements are controlled electronically.

All three axis movements should be controlled with one single joystick The system should have resolution of not more than 0.02 �m increment for fine and smooth movement.

The system should have a DualSpeed joystick: proportional/direct movement and dynamic movement. With the proportional movement, the movement of the joystick is directly transmitted to the movement of the capillary. With the dynamic movement, the speed of the capillary is increased by the degree of joystick deflection.

The system should have a tool travel speed of at least 10,000 �m/s for rapid work and penetration of tough material.

The control panel should have a LCD display that shows coordinates of the motors and the functions being used.

The system should have the coarse, fine, extra-fine movement selections using a single upright joystick.

The speed of the capillary should be adjustable using an ergonomic turn wheel on the control panel to fit user’s skill and different injection steps.

The system should have a programmable Z axis limit as defined injection level in order to avoid capillary breakage during injection. This partial automation is particularly useful for beginners.

The system should have an automated function for the capillary to move out of working radius and return to the precise same spot. This saves time when changing capillary. This function should be preadjusted for standard working conditions but open for personal adjustments in speed and range for special set up conditions (e.g. narrow condenser).

The system should be able to store up to 5 independent working positions in all three coordinates (X, Y, Z) precisely. These positions can be recalled anytime either via the softkeys on the control panel or the joystick button.

Furthermore, the position storages can be remained after switching off/on of the device.

The system should have at least 4 pre-defined programs for common applications and free definable soft keys to allow users to customize a program on their own

The system should be ergonomically designed where the user shall be able to rest his/her hand on the control board of the system for long period of handling to reduce strain of hands, arms and shoulders.

The system should be able to be updated from time to time with newer software versions using the USB port, without the need to purchase new devices.

The system should be able to be connected to an electronic microinjector to allow movement of the capillary and injection to be carried out automatically.

The system should be able to connect to a piezo device and the piezo impulses can be supported by adjustable automated forward movements.

The system should be able to adapt to all common inverted- and stereomicroscopes

EPE-5193000020 TransferMan 4r 120V/60Hz EPE-5192311006 T4m/r, 14 adaptor for Zeiss 1 AxioVert 200, Observer Al, Dl, Zl, and Observer 3, 5 and 7 Installation & Training

DELIVERY / INSTALLATION

The Microinjection System should be delivered within 30 days after receipt of award (ARO) to the following location:

50 South Drive Room #521B, Bethesda MD 20892

TRAINING

Training will be conducted on the same day, immediately after the installation of the equipment. This training shall be for any/all users of the instruments.

TYPE OF ORDER

This is a Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order.

PAYMENT

Payment shall be made as a one lump sum.

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE

The Project Officer or the Project Officer Supervisor will review and monitor the services provided to ensure services conform with contract requirements. For Services, invoices will be approved by the program officer and/or the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) according to payment terms above.

Sole Source Justification

TransferMan 4r micromanipulator has an intuitive interface, single, ergonomic controls, precision and stability. Over the years, it has proven to be a workhorse for micro-injection of mouse oocytes, zygotes, and preimplantation embryos. Switching brands may adversely impact learning curves and work efficiency for scientists previously trained using TransferMan 4r to perform these challenging tasks.

Furthermore, the TransferMan system integrates seamlessly with current existing injectors (e.g., PiezoXpert, FemtoJet) in the lab.

The proposed contractor is fully capable of providing the requested supply.

Switching brands may require additional hardware upgrades to ensure compatibility as well as extensive training. In addition, the manufacturer has a well-deserved reputation for reliability, service, and support to minimize downtime and troubleshooting especially important in delicate protocols.

Regulatory Authority

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

FAR Clauses

The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items

FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this notice to the offeror listed above. The following factors shall be used to evaluate the offer: The contractor shall demonstrate its ability to meet the specifications provided above.

FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (MAY 2024) (DEVIATION FEB 2025)

FAR clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2023)

FAR clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (JAN 2025)

(DEVIATION FEB 2025)

Per FAR CLASS DEVIATION 2025-02 Amendment 1:

“System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations, including 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals— Representation, and paragraph (t) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Agencies will not consider or use these representations. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.”

BASIS FOR AWARD AND EVALUATION

Evaluation of quotes will be conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 (b)(3) procedures. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Priced Purchase Order from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror who provides the quote most advantageous to the Government.

The Government may reject any quote that is evaluated to be non-compliant with the requirements, unreasonably high or low in price, or reflects a failure to comprehend the requirement. The Government reserves the right to make no award if quotes do not meet the requirements of this solicitation.

Award will be made to the Vendor providing the most advantageous quote to the government, technical factors and cost/price considered.

Vendors will be evaluated on their capabilities to provide the product to the specifications described in the Contractor Requirements section.

Additional Information

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a Size Standard of 1000. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable and the resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04 effective May 12, 2025.

CLOSING STATEMENT

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, any interested party may identify its interest and capabilities to respond to this notice. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested entity’s’ bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

All responses must be received by Friday, August 29, 2025, 1:00 PM ET and must reference solicitation number 75N94025Q00195. Responses shall be submitted electronically to ramanu2@mail.nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

"All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.”