Request for Information - Cell Dissociator with Heaters.docx

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.

THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e).

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought/RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 334516 (size standard of 1,000 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought/RFI, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VISN 22 Long Beach Network Contracting Office is seeking sources who can possibly provide a cell dissociator with heaters that at a minimum meet the brand name and/or can possibly provide an equal-to-product for the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

Brand Name Information:

Manufacturer & Part Number: Miltenyi Biotec, Part # 130-096-427 Product Description: gentleMACS Octo Dissociator with Heaters (with power cord and user manual)

Equal-to-Product Information:

Main Component: Cell Dissociator with Heaters

Salient Characteristics:

· Must be a benchtop cell dissociator capable of preparing homogenates and single cell suspensions

· Must come with a minimum of 8 individual heating units allowing for single cell suspensions in a sterile environment without cross-contamination

· Must be capable of simultaneously processing a minimum of 8 samples

· Must come with the option of using the same or a different protocol for each sample

· Must be capable of operating fully automated

· Must be capable of operating protocols that are pre-defined or user-created

· Must be compatible with C tubes and M tubes

· Must not exceed the dimensions 14” X 9” X 8” due to space restrictions

· Must come with a power cord

The information identified above is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of the supplies/services that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that the interested parties can provide the supplies/services that fulfill the required specifications.

If you are interested and can provide the sought-out supplies/services, please provide the requested information as well as the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions:

(1) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)?

(2) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI?

(3) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can you provide equivalent solution to the items being referenced above?

(4) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of Contact and size status (if available).

(5) If you’re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above or an equivalent solution, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified?

(6) If you intend to subcontract any work on this contract, what portion of the total cost will be self-performed/will be performed by your organization? Please provide estimated detailed percentage breakdowns related to subcontracted work and completion of job.

(7) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number.

(8) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solution you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract.

(9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items

(10) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act?

(11) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award.

(12) Please submit your capabilities statement illustrating your organization’s ability to meet the described salient characteristics or “equal to items” for planning purposes; show clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that all “equal to items" meet all the salient characteristics.

(13) Please review salient characteristics/statement of work (if applicable) and provide feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A.

(14) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number.

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Bridgett.Sharma@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Wednesday, August 16, 2023, by 4:00 PM PST.

All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. If a solicitation is issued because of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to that solicitation separately IAW the specifications of that solicitation announcement.

Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI notice is not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.