Notice of Intent to Sole Source-Emulate Inc.docx

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

The mission of the USU is to provide the highest quality education programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services.

Intended Recipient: Emulate, Inc., 27 Drydock Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02210-2382.

Intent to Sole-Source:

USU intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Emulate, Inc. for the procurement of the Human Emulation System a micro-engineered biomimetic system that represent key functional units of living human organs, specifically a gut-on-chip system. The Human Emulation System is a platform comprised of Organ-Chips that recreate the natural physiology and mechanical forces that cells experience in the human body, automated instruments (PodTM Portable Module, ZoëTM Culture Module, and OrbTM Hub Module), and the applicable software applications, designed to work with various Organ-Chips for integration and analysis.

Sole Source Justification

The mission of USU is to provide the highest quality education and research programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services. As such, it is essential USU provide the necessary training and equipment required by our researchers in order to support the research efforts.

The procurement of the Human Emulation System will further the accomplishment of the mission and responsibilities of USU. Emulate, Inc. is the only reasonably available source that can provide the system which offers the functionality and precision as the Emulate system to fulfill the research objectives. This exact Human Emulation System is currently being used in ongoing research at USU and any changes could potentially invalidate research at USU. This requirement will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

In accordance with 5.207(c)(16)(i), all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and that the interested potential Offeror can meet the needs of the Government as stated above. Information received will be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. Responses must be received via email at jennifer.wilsnack@usuhs.edu by 12:00PM on Friday, February 5, 2021.