RFI-2025024560_FACS.pdf

Request for Information No. 2025024560

“Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter”

March 12, 2025

Background:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a national laboratory owned by the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE). NREL is the only federal laboratory dedicated to research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL is managed and operated for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy (Alliance), the “M&O Contractor”.

Objective:

The overall objective of NREL is to seek market information about the capabilities of available Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorters (FACS). The information received in response to this RFI will guide NREL’s focus for writing a requirements document to meet our overall research goals.

Project Details:

In the event a solicitation is released, NREL is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a FACS solution that meets or exceeds the following minimum capabilities:

1. A “benchtop unit.” Ideally something that occupies less than 2-3ft of benchtop space.

2. A “cartridge-based system” that uses microfluidic chips or cartridges, as opposed to systems with built-in fluidics that require routine maintenance.

3. A 4-laser/channel system.

Request Details:

The Alliance intends to competitively solicit for a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter, dependent on the volume of qualified responses received.

The information received will be used to help determine the technical scopes for planned subcontracts for a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter.

Small-Business Requirements: Sufficient, qualified responses to this RFI will determine if a total small business set aside is appropriate for a resultant RFP. The NAICS code applicable to this RFI is 334516.

The following links are being provided for convenience:

• https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards

• https://www.sba.gov/size-standards

Submission Requirements:

https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards https://www.sba.gov/size-standards

For companies interested in competing for the “Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter” RFP, please submit the following to Paul Wilke at ASP.Responses@nrel.gov with this subject line: “RFI -2025024560, “your company name”” on or before 5:00 p.m. (MST), 4/11/2025. Your submission response is limited to 2-5 pages:

1. Company Name, Address, and Company URL (include bona-fide location as stated above).

2. Point of Contact Information (Email, Direct Phone Number).

3. Respondents must address the at least the “Project Details” as stated above to be considered in a potential resultant RFP.

4. Rough Order of Magnitude Estimate (ROM Estimate)

5. Estimated Lead Times

Disclaimer: Responding to this request identifies your company as an interested candidate only.

Your submittal is not in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). This is an RFI, not a Request for Proposal. Verbal replies will not be accepted. All inquiries must be in writing via email. Project related questions will not be entertained at this point in the procurement process. This document represents a market research effort. Any costs associated with the development of a response to this request will not be reimbursed by NREL and submission does not guarantee or otherwise promise inclusion in any forthcoming RFP. In the event a solicitation results from this RFI, NREL reserves the right to set aside in total or in part any resultant award. No award will be made to any subcontractor/vendor that is not registered or in the process of registering with the System for Award Management (SAM). Please visit the SAM website at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration for instructions on how to register.

If a solicitation is conducted and an award is resulting, a SAM registration is required to be active at time of award.

mailto:ASP.Responses@nrel.gov https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration