RFQ-NIAID-24-2224382.pdf

Request for Quotation Solicitation ID: RFQ-NIAID-24-2224382

High-content, Multiomic Imaging System for Spatial Biology Research

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart

12.6 “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotes are being requested. The Solicitation number is RFQ-NIAID-24-2224382 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), FAR Subpart

13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2024-06 Effective August 29, 2024.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,000 employees. The Product or Service Code (PSC) is 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies. The requirement is being competed as full and open competition. This requirement is not set-aside for small business.

The government intends to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order to the responsible offeror as a result of this RFQ that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. By submitting a quote, the offeror is accepting that all government terms and conditions shall prevail over the award.

By submission of a quote, the Offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered and viewable in the System for Award Management (SAM) database when submitting a quotation, and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov).

STATEMENT OF NEED

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Division of Intramural Research (DIR) / Laboratory of Bacteriology (LB) / Immunity to Pulmonary Pathogens Section (IPPS) seeks a high-content imaging system to support its spatial biology studies on both fixed and fresh tissue slices to better understand the outcome of tick-borne infectious diseases.

NIAID/DIR/LB/IPPS is seeking a Miltenyi Biotec brand name or equal comprehensive multiomics platform consisting of a widefield epifluorescence microscope outfitted with scientific Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (sCMOS) high-resolution camera, liquid handling station, sample and reagent stage, associated hardware, and analysis software with permanent license. This acquisition includes white glove delivery, installation service, and trainings. Please provide a quote for the Bill of Materials (BOM) listed below. One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements. Offerors shall be an authorized seller of Miltenyi Biotec brand name or equal products. The Government anticipates making a single award Firm Fixed Price (FFP) order.

The proposed purchase is for Brand Name or Equal products/services. The brand name and part numbers for the products/services are provided in full detail below:

Bill of Materials for Miltenyi Biotec brand products:

Line Product Name Equipment

Number

QTY

MACSima System - Fully automated ultrahigh-content imaging system, for the immunofluorescence-based analysis of hundreds of markers on fixed microscopic samples

130-121-164 1

MACSima System Starter Kit - contains all necessary components needed to perform an initial MACSima experiment, except for the antibodies and reagents:

MACSima 4k Monitor; MACSima Table; MACSima Table;

MACSima Buffers; MACSwell Deepwell Plates; MACSwell Four; MACS iQ View installed on the MACSima Imaging System

130-131-555 1

Installation Service MACSima - Instrument delivery and installation by qualified personnel to ensure the instrument is properly installed and ready to use. Includes physical setup, calibration, and performance verification of the system

160-002-733 1

4 MACSima User 1 Training 160-002-761 1

5 MACSima User 2 Training 160-003-347 1

MACS iQ View Permanent License Academia - Permanent License for the software MACS iQ View

160-002-955 1

7 Freight 1

To be considered for award, vendors quoting “equal” products/services, including “equal” products/services of the brand-name manufacturer, must meet the following minimum requirements/specifications:

Microscope

Instrument Type: Widefield epifluorescence microscope

Camera: Latest-generation scientific Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (sCMOS) camera with high resolution and thermoelectrically cooled sensor (15 megapixels, 25 mm diagonal field of view)

Excitation: Six high-power excitation LEDs with filters at 386/23 nm, 420/10 nm, 470/40 nm, 531/46 nm, 628/32 nm, 725/40 nm

Emission: Five emission filters at 470/40 nm, 530/43 nm, 580/25 nm, 698/70 nm, 809/81 nm

Autofocus: Dual approach using hardware- and image-based mechanisms

Objectives o 2× objective for overview images; NA 0.1 o 20× long working distance objective for 1 mm thick slides; NA 0.45 o 20× objective with high numerical aperture for 170 µm thick cover glass; NA 0.75

Bleaching unit o Separate unit for optimized signal erasure o Illuminated Area: 3 mm × 3 mm o Light Intensity: 2 W

Liquid handing system o Needle Arm: Robotic arm for fully automated liquid transfer o Steel Needle: Washable stainless steel needle with minimized spillover o Syringe Pump: Accurate volumetric staining of samples o Fluid Containers: 1.5 L containers for automatic operation over several days

Sample and Reagent Stage o Automated Stage: Sub-micron positioning accuracy of 100 nm with automated image registration o Automated Carrier Positioning for loading and clamping of sample carriers and reagents

Technical data o Computers: Two integrated computers for planning/execution and image analysis o Monitors:

Integrated touch display (Full HD) for PC1 External 4K monitor for PC2 o Storage/Ports:

25 TB integrated storage

2× USB 3.0

HDMI port o Network: 1× 10 GbE, 1× RJ45 GbE/10GbE o Power Requirements: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, max. 7/13A, max. 1,300 W

Size and weight o Dimensions (given current space designated for the equipment)

Instrument: must fit within these dimensions 1,220 mm × 780 mm × 650 mm (w × d × h);

footprint: 1,210 mm × 750 mm (w × d)

Table: must fit within these dimension 1,250 mm × 765 mm × 813 mm (w × d × h)

Analysis Software should have the following features:

Display hundreds of markers from high-dimensional datasets

Utilize interactive gating and unbiased data analysis (k-means clustering, UMAP, t-SNE)

Ability to choose from multiple plotting options (histogram, scatter plot, strip and violin plots, heatmaps)

Ability to manage different analysis techniques such as distance analysis.

Displays Experiments, Procedures, Racks, and Panels windows

Ability to record samples in the software

Ability to track antibodies and reagents

Ability to create a procedure within software

Ability to combine samples, racks, reagents, and procedures

Permanent license for use, including lifetime software updates, bug fixes, and support

Wide Field Epifluorescence Microscope should have the following consumables:

Antibody type: At a minimum, must have validated antibodies for immune and stromal cells in mouse lung and brain

Reagents: Must have validated reagents for staining for protein and transcripts

Imaging frames for the analysis of tissue sections and cells on microscope slides

Imaging Plates for the culture and subsequent analysis of adherent cells.

Low profile 96-well deepwell plates to prepare antibody plates.

Aluminum sealing foils to seal deepwell plates to reduce evaporation

Buffer 6 x 1.5L. To be used for all washing steps

Buffer is PBS-based and is used for all the washing steps

Running Buffer 6 x 1.5L. To be used for all staining steps

The Running Buffer is also PBS-based and additionally contains BSA, it is used for the staining step in a MICS experiment.

Must have a Storage Solution and ability to clean system after a run for long-term storage

The following additional services are required:

Installation services including physical setup, calibration, and performance verification

On-site Installation training within a week of installation for at least 4-6 participants: to introduce technology, basic instrument operation, and software principles

Additional on-site or virtual training for at least 4 participants on troubleshooting, diagnosing common errors, and building fundamental analysis pipelines

Additional on-site or virtual training for at least 4 participants on advanced data analysis techniques and complex software-related queries

White glove delivery: To include inside delivery, room placement, unpacking, inspection, and removal of packaging materials.

ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Delivery is requested as soon as possible. Estimated lead time for delivery is 30-60 days from date of award which is estimated to be September 23, 2024, if not sooner. Delivery is required within 60 days from date of award.

SHIPPING/DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

Delivery location: Rocky Mountain Laboratories

Central Receiving – Building 22 903 South 4th Street Hamilton, MT 59840

Central Receiving hours are as follows: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm MT, Monday through Friday except for Federal Holidays. FOB: Destination. Prior to shipment, the contractor shall coordinate delivery arrangement with the Government point of contact designated in the award. All equipment delivered shall contain a Packing Slip (with serial numbers when applicable).

INSTRUCTIONS

All interested vendors shall provide a quote for the requirement as outlined in the Bill of Materials (BOM). If providing an equal product(s)/services(s), please supply descriptive data for evaluation purposes to determine the validity of how it is an EQUAL. The following FAR provision applies to this a solicitation FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999):

(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

(2) Clearly identify the item by-

(i) Brand name, if any; and

(ii) Make or model number;

(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and

(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.

(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

(End of provision)

All quotes shall include price(s) (unit price, extended price, total price); documentation demonstrating vendor is either the manufacturer or authorized distributer/reseller of the quoted products/services; manufacturing country of origin of the products, including components; and estimated delivery lead time. Each response must clearly indicate the capability of the vendor to meet all specifications and requirements. The Government may evaluate only those quotes that fully meet the requirements as outlined in the BOM and respond to the instructions and requirements below. Failure to furnish a full and complete quote as instructed may result in the Offeror’s response being considered non-responsive and will therefore be eliminated from further consideration and award. If not the manufacturer, Offerors shall be an authorized reseller for Miltenyi Biotec brand name or equal products. Documentation showing active authorized reseller status is requested with the quote. Only bona fide Miltenyi Biotec brand name or equal products are acceptable. All or part of the successful vendor’s quote may be incorporated in any contract resulting from this solicitation. The successful vendor’s quote may be incorporated by reference.

Quotes are due by 4:00pm ET on September 20, 2024. Quotes must be emailed to Seth Schaffer, Contract Specialist, at seth.schaffer@nih.gov. Late quotes will not be considered. All responsible sources may submit a quote that will be considered by this Agency. Any questions or concerns regarding this combined synopsis/solicitation should be emailed to seth.schaffer@nih.gov by 12:00pm ET September 19, 2024.

EVALUATION

NIAID will evaluate quotes to determine the best value to the government. NIAID will make that determination based on technical capability, past performance, and price. NIAID will evaluate past performance and price only for those quotes which are rated as technically capable. In the event quotes are evaluated as technically equal, past performance and price will become major considerations in selecting the successful Offeror.

The Government will not award a purchase order to a Contractor at a significantly higher evaluated price to achieve only slightly superior performance capabilities. Likewise, the Government will not award to a Contractor simply because its quote is technically capable and also the lowest quoted price. The Government intends to award without discussions but reserves the right to conduct discussions should it be deemed in the Government’s best interest.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO OFFERORS

Offerors are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your quote, you will be consenting to disclosure of your quote to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.

ELECTRONIC INVOICING

The successful offeror may submit an invoice once a shipment is delivered. NIAID will only accept invoices for units that have been delivered to NIAID.

NIH is using a phased transition approach from the NIH Office of Financial Management (OFM) Electronic Invoice Submission instructions to the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). For contractors that have transitioned to IPP, the Contractor must submit invoices to the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) at https://www.ipp.gov. For contractors that have not transitioned to IPP, the Contractor shall submit invoices to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Office of Financial Management (OFM) via email at invoicing@nih.gov with a copy to the approving official until the Contractor has been notified of its transition to IPP.

PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference to this acquisition:

FAR 52.252-1 – Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) FAR 52.203-18 – Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements – Representations (Jan 2017) FAR 52.204-7 – System for Award Management (Oct 2018) FAR 52.204-13 – System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018) FAR 52.204-16 – Commercial for Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020) FAR 52.204-18 – Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020) FAR 52.204-21 – Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (Nov 2021) FAR 52.204-24 – Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021) FAR 52.204-26 – Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. (Oct 2020) FAR 52.209-7 – Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) FAR 52.212-1 – Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sep 2023) FAR 52.212-3 – Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) FAR 52.212-4 – Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023) FAR 52.252-2 – Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions and clauses are incorporated in full text to this acquisition:

FAR 52.211-6 – Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999)

FAR 52.212-5 – Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Status or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) SEE ATTACHED

The following Department of Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) provisions and clauses are incorporated to this acquisition by reference:

HHSAR 352.203-70 – Anti-lobbying (Dec 2015) HHSAR 352.208-70 – Printing and Duplication (Dec 2015) HHSAR 352.222-70 – Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (Dec 2015) HHSAR 352.223-70 – Safety and Health (Dec 2015) HHSAR 352.224-71 – Confidential Information (Dec 2015)

Attachments:

1) Full text clauses