Solicitation.docx

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION 1333ND24QNB640038

Attune NXT Flow Cytometer Maintenance

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 – Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a separate written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is being issued under the authority of FAR Part 13.5 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

This solicitation is a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for maintenance of an Attune NXT Flow Cytometer. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisitions Circular (FAC) 2023-06, effective 12/4/2023.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 811219. This acquisition is being procured using Full and Open (unrestricted) competition.

The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Biosystems and Biomaterials Division requires maintenance for an Attune NXT Flow Cytometer in accordance with the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

EVALUATION CRITERIA AND BASES FOR AWARD

The Government intends to award a single purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Contractor whose quotation, conforming to the solicitation, will provide the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered.

In addition to price, the following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations:

1. Technical Approach

2. Experience

3. Key Personnel Qualifications

4. Past Performance

In determining best value, each of the factors are equal in importance to each other. Price is less important than the non-priced evaluation factors.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Factor I – Technical Approach

Technical capability will be evaluated to determine that the quotation meets all requirements of the SOW. The Government will evaluate the extend in which the Contractor has demonstrated that it has access to the manufacturer’s replacement parts and software updates to perform the required services. Additionally, the Government will consider whether the Contractor has demonstrated its ability to address service call requests within 48 hours.

Factor II – Prior Experience

NIST will evaluate the extent to which the Prime Contractor has at minimum, two years of prior experience actively serving the Attune NXT Flow Cytometer model listed in the SOW and maintains an active role in the required work.

Factor III – Key Personnel Qualifications

NIST will evaluate the Contractors ability to provide field personnel with the requisite skills to fulfill NISTS requirements, as detailed in the SOW.

Factor IV – Past Performance

Evaluation of this factor will be based on the Contractor’s past performance relating to management and successful performance of requirements of comparable size and complexity. Past performance will be evaluated using information obtained from referenced provided in the quotes and may also include any other relevant information that is available to the Government, including information on contracts with Federal, State, and Local Governments and Commercial sources.

Price

The proposed price will be evaluated based on the total price. The proposed price must be entirely compatible with the technical proposal.

The Government will evaluate quotations for award inclusive of the process quoted for all optional line items. The Government may determine that a quotation is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options does not obligate the Government to exercise the options.

NIST intends to evaluate quotes and issue a contract based on the initial quotes received. Therefore, the Contractor’s initial quote should contain the contain the Contractor’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. NIST reserves the right to request revised quotes from, or negotiate final contract terms with, one or more, but not all, Contractors if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.

REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS

Contractors shall submit the following:

1. Technical Approach

· Documentation that confirms the Contractors ability of servicing and/or providing personnel with requisite skills to perform services to the Attune NXT Flow Cytometer listed in the SOW;

· Documentation that demonstrates that the Contractor has access to manufacturers original manufactures replacement parts. A Letter of Certificate issued by the manufacturer verifying access is acceptable proof;

· Documentation that demonstrates the Contractors ability to address service call requests within 48 hours;

2. Experience

· Documentation that confirms the Contractors ability to provide personnel, with at least, two years of active prior hands-on field experience servicing the Attune NXT Flow Cytometer model listed in the SOW;

· If the Contractor lacks experience with the particular model in the SOW, the Contractor may describe its experience servicing technically comparable (in terms of fundamental design, function, and maintenance requirements) Attune NXT Flow Cytometer. Please note, however, that the determination of whether the equipment described is technical comparable is at the sole discretion of NIST; NIST may determine a Contractor’s quote technically unacceptable, if the alternative equipment described is not considered technically acceptable.

3. Key Personnel Qualifications

· Documentation that confirms manufacturer issued certifications and authorizations for each proposed field specialist, within the past three years.

4. Past Performance

· Documentation that confirms past performance on relevant public or private sector contracts for the past two years. Documentation should describe contracts of similar type and scope. Documentation to include relationships (partnerships, teaming, and subcontracting) with other firms for such contracts. Include relevant contact information.

· If the Contractor has no relevant past performance, a statement to that effect should be included in the quote.

Price – Contractors shall provide a Firm-Fixed price for Line Items 0001 – 0005

Line Item 0001, Firm Fixed Price (BASE CLIN): Firm-Fixed price maintenance agreement, inclusive of travel, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Statement of Work. This line item shall cover the instrument identified in the SOW. $__________________total firm-fixed price;

Line Item 0002, Firm Fixed Price (OPT. I) Firm Fixed Price maintenance agreement, inclusive of travel, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the SOW. $__________________total firm-fixed price;

Line Item 0003, Firm Fixed Price (OPT. II) Firm Fixed Price maintenance agreement, inclusive of travel, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the SOW. $__________________total firm-fixed price;

Line Item 0004, Firm Fixed Price (OPT. III) Firm Fixed Price maintenance agreement, inclusive of travel, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the SOW. $__________________total firm-fixed price;

Line Item 0005, Firm Fixed Price (OPT. IV) Firm Fixed Price maintenance agreement, inclusive of travel, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the SOW. $__________________total firm-fixed price;

1. Contractors shall provide a Firm-Fixed Price to complete the required services for the instrument contained in the SOW.

2. A completed version of all required solicitation provisions (see attached provisions/clauses document – required submissions highlighted in blue).

3. If the Contractor objects to any of the terms and conditions contained in this solicitation, the contractor shall state, “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:” [Contractor shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s)]. It is the sole responsibility of the contractor to identify in their quote any exceptions to the terms and conditions of the solicitation. If the contractor does not include such a statement, the submission of a quotation in response to this solicitation will be regarded as the Contractor’s acceptance of the Government’s terms and conditions for inclusion into the resultant purchase order. The provisions and clauses contained in Attachment 2 are applicable to this procurement and will be incorporated into the resultant award, if applicable.

4. Contractors shall provide an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)# for the System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

Please note that this procurement IS NOT being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If a contractor submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the contractor’s FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation.

DUE DATE FOR QUOTATIONS

All quotations must be submitted via e-mail to Tish Walker, Contract Specialist at latish.walker@nist.gov Submission must be received not later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on 12/21/2023. All questions regarding this notice must be submitted via e-mail to Tish Walker by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on 12/28/2023. Questions submitted after this date may not be addressed by the Government prior to the quotation submission deadline.

ATTACHMENTS:

The following attachments apply to this solicitation:

1. The Statement of Work

2. Applicable Provisions & Clauses