RFI 36C25625Q1249.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

Sources Sought 36C25625Q1249

SUBJECT* SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Detection Platform.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACTING OFFICE’S ZIP CODE* 77056

SOLICITATION NUMBER* 36C25625Q1249

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE 07-31-2025 3:00 PM CENTRAL TIME, CHICAGO,

USA

ARCHIVE 10 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS N

SET-ASIDE

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE* 6640

NAICS CODE* 334516

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office 16 Galleria Financial Center 5075 Westheimer Road Suite 750 Houston, TX 77056

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Tiffany Burks tiffany.burks@va.gov 601-362-4471 x56338

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

2002 Holcombe Blvd Houston TX

POSTAL CODE 77030

COUNTRY USA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL https://www.va.gov URL DESCRIPTION Department of Veterans Affairs AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS tiffany.burks@va.gov EMAIL DESCRIPTION Sources Sought Notice 36C25625Q1249

DESCRIPTION

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE, PROPOSAL, OR BID. This notice is not a solicitation as defined by FAR 2.101, therefore it shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to an acquisition approach. All information contained in this Request for Information (RFI) is preliminary as well as subject to amendment and is in no way binding on the Government. Information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. The Government is requesting that restrictive or proprietary markings not be used in response to this notice. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Contract Opportunities website or GSA. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this RFI

1. Title: SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Detection Platform

2. Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to identify potential sources which will aid in defining the procurement strategy (e.g., set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation the VA intends on issuing shortly for the following:

Model / Part Number

Item /Description of Supplies/Equipment Qty iD3 SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Detection Platform. System Includes:

Spectral Absorbance, Fluorescence, and Luminescence detection, Onboard Touchscreen for full acquisition, NFC Personalization, SoftMaxPro Software;

Integrated Shaking and Temperature Control, Power Cable, LAN Cable, Compatible with 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384 well plates. Compatible with SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Microplate. Comes with 1-year MDCare PhD Technical Support Plan and 1 year warranty covering parts and labor Catalog Number MISC-INSTRA-LS-CA ID3-STD/SpectraMaxiD3 Mul

Includes SpectraCuvette Adapter, SpectraDrop Micro-Volume Starter Kit, and Option/Base

1-EA

The anticipated Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516 is 1000 (employees or dollars).

3. Responses Requested: The following questions must be answered in response to this RFI.

Answers that are not provided shall be considered non-responsive to the RFI:

a. Where are the requested items/equipment manufactured?

For example: City/State, Country

b. Are the requested items/equipment manufactured by a small or large business? Yes or No

c. Is the potential vendor in compliance with the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR)? Yes or No

d. Is the Vendor an authorized distributor with access to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts which may be required in performance of this requirement?

The VA does not accept grey market items and therefore the Vendor must attach evidence of this access (Authorized Distributor letter) to be viewed by the government to be considered as part of the Market Research and responsiveness to this Sources Sought notice.

e. Name of potential Contractor that possess the capability to fulfill this requirement. Contractors shall also provide the following:

Point(s) of contact name: _______________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ Telephone number: ___________________________________________ Email address: _______________________________________________ Company's business size: ________________________________________________ Unique Entity ID (UEI) #: ________________________________________________

f. Is your company considered a small business concern, SB, SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, or 8A concern, with the requisite 334516 NAICS code? Yes or No

• Please provide proof of qualifications.

g. Is your company available under any Government Wide Agency Contract (GWAC), General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), (FSS) Federal Supply Service and/or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)?

If so, please identify the contract number for the Government to review as part of this Market Research.

4. Opportunity/Market Pricing: Michael E. DeBakey (MEDVAMC) is seeking information from potential vendors on their ability to provide the required items/equipment. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Small Business Concerns are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist Michael E. DeBakey VAMC in determining potential levels of competition and general market pricing available in the industry. Therefore, vendors are requested to submit estimated market research pricing along with their responses to the above. The estimated pricing will be considered when determining the procurement strategy for the forthcoming solicitation.

5. RFI responses are due by 3:00pm (CST), Thursday July 31, 2025; size is limited to 8.5 x 11 inches, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins in Microsoft Word format via email to tiffany.burks@va.gov

The subject line shall read: Michael E. DeBakey VAMC – micro-plate reader research equipment. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. There is no page limitation on subparagraphs 3(a) - 3(g).

mailto:tiffany.burks@va.gov

Please provide the information you deem relevant in order to respond to the specific inquiries of the RFI.

Information provided will be used solely by Michael E. DeBakey VAMC as “Market Research” and will not be released outside of the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC Purchasing and Contract Team.

6. Contact Information:

Tiffany Burks tiffany.burks@va.gov

Your response to this notice is greatly appreciated!

STATEMENT OF WORK

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Project: Microplate Reader Research Equipment

2. Project Scope: Provide equipment to be shipped to MEDVAMC, 2002 Holcombe Blvd. – Bldg. 100, Warehouse, Houston, TX 77030. The contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in the statement of work (SOW), except as may otherwise be specified.

The overall price for this project is

LINE ITEM QUANITY UNIT OF ISSUE

SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with platform, adapter, and starter kit 1 Each

3. Background: Research Investigator will be utilizing the above equipment in support of their ongoing VA- ORD funded research project.

4. Performance Period: The period of performance will be determined by the delivery date of the equipment to

MEDVAMC.

5. Type of Contract: Firm-Fixed-Price

6. Place of Performance:

MEDVAMC – 2002 Holcombe Blvd.

Bldg 100 Houston, TX 77030

B. CONTRACT AWARD MEETING

No contractor award meeting will be held.

C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. For every task, the contractor shall identify in writing all necessary subtasks (if any).

2. All written deliverables will be phrased in layperson language. Statistical and other technical terminology will not be used without providing a glossary of terms.

3. Specifications include:

Multiple Detection Modes:

• Fluorescence Intensity (FI): High sensitivity for fluorescence-based assays.

• Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF): Suitable for assays requiring signal stability over time.

• Fluorescence Polarization (FP): Enables biomolecular interaction studies.

• Absorbance (ABS): Broad wavelength range for colorimetric assays.

• Luminescence: For chemiluminescence and bioluminescence assays.

Monochromator-Based System:

• Features a quad monochromator, enabling flexible wavelength selection without the need for filters.

• Precise wavelength tuning (1 nm increments) for both excitation and emission.

Temperature Control:

• Incubation up to 42°C or higher, ideal for enzyme kinetics and cell-based assays.

• Even temperature distribution across the plate.

Automated Features:

• Automated Z-focus adjustment ensures optimal signal for different assay formats.

• Pathlength correction for improved data accuracy in absorbance measurements.

Plate Compatibility:

• Supports a variety of plate formats (6- to 384-well plates).

• Accommodates transparent, white, or black plates for different assay needs.

User-Friendly Software:

• Comes with SoftMax Pro 7 Software for assay programming, data analysis, and reporting.

• Offers pre-defined protocols for common assays and custom protocol creation.

• Large high-resolution touchscreen with an embedded software package to customize protocols and run experiments.

High Sensitivity and Dynamic Range:

• Low detection limits for fluorescence intensity and luminescence.

• Broad dynamic range to detect both high and low signals effectively.

Optional Accessories:

• Injectors for real-time kinetic measurements, such as flash luminescence.

• Gas control module for CO₂ and O₂ regulation in live-cell assays.

Applications:

• Suitable for ELISA, nucleic acid quantification, protein quantification, cell viability assays, and more.

• Versatile for both low-throughput and high-throughput workflows.

4. Preferred item: SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader

D. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES

Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables: The contractor shall provide the specific deliverables described below within the performance period stated in Section A.4 of this SOW.

1. Provide equipment

Deliverable:

SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with platform, adaptor and starter kit - 1 Each

E. SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERABLES

1. The contractor shall complete the Delivery Date column in Attachment A for each deliverable specified.

2. Unless otherwise specified, the number of draft copies and the number of final copies shall be the same.

1. If for any reason the scheduled time for a deliverable cannot be met, the contractor is required to explain why (include the original deliverable due date) in writing to the CO, including a firm commitment of when the work shall be completed. This notice to the CO shall cite the reasons for the delay, and the impact on the overall project. The CO will then review the facts and issue a response in accordance with applicable regulations.

F. CHANGES TO STATEMENT OF WORK

Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder along with all other products of the project.

Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the contractor.

J. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The government will provide controlled access to the areas and other resources if required to perform the services.

The government will assign a primary POC, and to provide information and resources in a manner to maintain contract continuity. Additionally, this person will receive deliverables as a result of this contract.