NoticeofIntenttoSoleSource-CytekAurora.pdf

36C24921Q0037

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Cytek Aurora

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This procurement is being conducted in accordance with (IAW) 41 USC 3304(a)(1) and FAR subpart

13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; therefore, the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable. The resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-08, effective 08/31/2020. The

NAICS code is 334516 with a size standard of 1000 employees and PSC 6640.

BACKGROUND: This is a new requirement. to replace an older cytometer that is no longer supported by the manufacturer nor the company used for required maintenance. It also does not provide the level of data accuracy and testing results to support current research projects and new COVID-19 immune profile studies. It has been several years since procuring a cytometer and the Government seeks the most technologically advanced system on the market.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) NCO-9, intends to issue a sole source firm-fixed priced purchase order to Cytek Biosciences Inc. (Cytek) for Memphis VA Medical Center’s [Facility]

Research Department for the following:

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

qty

• Qty: 1, Cytek Aurora 5 Laser UV/V/B/YG/R (64 + 3 Channel) Includes:

• 5-laser flow cytometer

• Workstation (computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse)

• 1 additional copy of SpectroFloTM

• Fluidic reservoirs

• QC and consumable parts kit

• 1-year on-site warranty

• Qty: 1, Two-day On-site Training: lectures on the fundamentals of spectral cytometry and panel design w/ hands-on operator training (max. 4 students for operator training

No Options Considered. Estimate total price with shipping and handling: $361,350.00

Service Requirement:

Warranty coverage should entail at a minimum the following:

1. One-year coverage

2. Provide repair/replacement options for damaged/defective items

3. Includes parts, labor and travel by the contractor/OEM to facility

Delivery

1. FOB Destination

2. Take no more than 90 days to deliver and install from order receipt.

Salient Characteristics:

a. Tabletop-sized instrument, capable of being placed on a lab bench

b. Ability to hold 5 lasers – UV, violet, blue, yellow-green, and red lasers, all around 100 mW.

c. Ability to measure 64 fluorescent colors.

d. Full spectrum unmixing for detection of fluorescent signals. NO band pass filters or photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), both of which contribute to loss of signal. This is clearly the best approach for measuring a large number of different fluorescent signals at the same time, and greatly reduces the issues encountered with fluorescence compensation using PMTs.

e. Full spectrum unmixing for detection of fluorescent signals. NO band pass filters or photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), both of which contribute to loss of signal. This is clearly the best

2 | P a g e approach for measuring a large number of different fluorescent signals at the same time, and greatly reduces the issues encountered with fluorescence compensation using PMTs.

Cytometer has to have flat top laser beam profile with narrow vertical beam height for enhanced capacity to detect rare events and particles smaller than cells. Several of our research projects are focused on the study of cells that comprise 1% or less of the lymphocyte population during an immune response. The ability to reliable detect these is paramount to these research projects. Additionally, some laboratories are now investigating the use of nanoparticles as therapeutic delivery devices to cells and need to be able to identify these very small particles among cells.

f. Fluorescence detectors must have enhanced data collection capabilities for detection of dim staining population of cells. Some of the new instruments provide even more sensitivity for measuring proteins expressed at low levels on cells. This would be an asset to several of the projects within our Service.

g. Spatially separated laser beams with laser delays automatically adjusted during instrument quality control. Again, this is a new feature that simplifies the setup and quality control of the instrument, enabling the investigator to spend more time on data collection and analysis, and less on instrument setup.

h. Ability to use violet laser line for cell or particle scatter measurements. This is an important component for measuring particles significantly smaller than cells as described above.

i. Operating voltage can be 100 or 240 V

j. No special environmental requirements (air, humidity, and temperature)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

VAAR 819.7003 states that the nonmanufacturer rule (NMR) and the Limitations On Subcontracting (LoS) rule apply to ALL SD/VOSB set-aside and sole source contracts. The LoS and NMR applies to all small businesses above the simplified acquisition threshold, which for commodities is set at $250,000.00.

Any small business proposing an end product it did not manufacture must meet requirements in 13 C.F.R. 121.406 to be considered a nonmanufacturer and small business under the VA Rule of Two.

For example, provide an item manufactured by another small business, or provide an item from a large business under a Small Business Administration (SBA) class waiver

There is a non-manufacturer class waiver for the given NAICS, PSC and product description.

All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, if it shows they can offer comparable products that meet or exceed the standards described above in accordance with FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal.

If not identified as manufacturer but determined to be a nonmanufacturer in accordance with 13 CFR 121.406, an authorized distributor letter is required.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you manufacture any of the like, kind, and quality products sought in this notice?

a. If yes, what is your business size?

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2. To fall under the definition of a non-manufacturer for set-aside purposes, answer the following:

a. How many employees do you have?

b. Do you primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade, normally selling the type of item sought it in this requirement?

c. Do you take ownership or possession of those normally procured items through your personnel, equipment, or facilities until you sell or deliver them?

d. If you don’t manufacture the product, are you authorized and trained to install, troubleshoot, repair, or generally work on the system?

3. Do you offer all the products and services under existing Federal Government contracting vehicles?

a. if yes, please provide the contract number/identifier, and

b. list the contract line items (CLINs) or schedule items (SINs) that would most match the products and services in the Requirement paragraph below.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Facility seeks to award this order before December 1st, 2020.

Interested parties should submit responses by Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 9:00am EST to:

sascha.hertslet@va.gov, subject line: 36C24921Q0037-Cytometer.

Responses received will be reviewed; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the

Government.

mailto:sascha.hertslet@va.gov