Sources Sought.pdf

Federal Business Opportunities (FBO)

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: 75N95020Q00131

2. Title: Acquisition of a Sirius Automation 6-Axis Arm Linear Rail System

3. Classification Code: J066 – Instruments and Laboratory Equipment

4. NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

5. Description: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses;

HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses;

8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:

The development of a centralized sample purification and processing platform in conjunction with the Sample Management and Resource Tracking (SMART) laboratory information management system (LIMS), continues to be utilized at DPI for sample submission, compound purification, compound processing, sample registration, compound inventory, sample tracking, data retrieval, and data management.

Functionality is added to improve efficiency and productivity based on expanding and changing scientific needs. As part of the ASPIRE program, the Analytical Chemistry group has begun the creation of an automated purification platform. Early stages of this endeavor look to optimize current purification processes and connect various islands of automation in an efficient manner.

Purpose and Objectives:

NCATS is seeking the cquisition of Sirius Automation 6-Axis Arm Linear Rail System with accessories and service for the Compound Management group within the Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation (DPI). The end goal is a fully autonomous system, which can be integrated into an automated synthesis platform. In order the facilitate this, we need a robotic arm system that can transfer various racks, plates, and vials between the Sirius OmniTasker sample processing platform, the Sirius MicroTasker NMR sample preparation platform, and several other instrument systems. An application of the Sirius Automation 6-Axis Arm Linear Rail System to advance automated sample purification and processing will increase efficiency and productivity.

Project requirements:

NCATS requires a fully autonomous 6-Axis Arm Linear Rail system, which can be integrated into an automated synthesis platform. The robotic arm system must be able to transfer various racks, plates, and vials between the Sirius OmniTasker sample processing platform, the Sirius MicroTasker NMR sample preparation platform, and several other instrument systems.

Salient characteristics Minimum system specifications and characteristics shall be as follows:

The unique features of the Sirius Automation 6-Axis Arm Linear Rail System are:

1. Precision 6-Axis Arm with controller module and grippers designed to complete the automated transfer of racks (4x6 Rack for 1 Dram vials, 96-position Matrix Rack, LCMS Plate, & Deep Well Plate plus disposable type NMR vessels) as required by designated workflow between Sirius OmniTasker® to Sirius MicroTasker®, Sirius FlashScan2D® Rack Reader and MagriTek benchtop NMR with the ability to interface with the Agilent PlateLoc plate sealer and benchtop synthesizer.

2. Robust extrusion-based reinforced frames with mounting plates bolted on your existing lab bench to house the 6-Axis Arm, plus proprietary 14’ stepper motor driven X axis ‘AccuSpan®’ bridge member sustaining weight and accuracy of positioning of same using HDHP lead screw mechanism, with <0.05mm accuracy and <0.20mm precision.

3. “Light Curtain” safety switches on two faces/planes to halt the move the 6-Axis Arm/StepperDriver if interrupted (controlled access by Operator or external robot excepted).

4. Sirius ‘Conduct®’ Custom Orchestration Software running concurrently on the OmniTasker® or MicroTasker® PC Controller to coordinate the tasks between Sirius OmniTasker® to Sirius MicroTasker®, and to control the FlashScan2D® Rack Reader, the Agilent PlateLoc plate sealer and the MagriTek Benchtop NMR which will all be ‘slaved’ to the Orchestration Program.

5. Configured to accept access from co-operative ‘BioSero” Robot Arm and requires specialty bench to accommodate height restrictions.

6. Expansion positions may be added as required.

7. Complete with Installation, Comprehensive Integration and User Training.

Anticipated period of performance: Delivery within 120 days ARO

Other important considerations: The contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a one (1) year warranty on this instrument. All products shall be warranted to be free from material defects in workmanship or material under normal use and service for the warranty period.

Capability statement /information sought. Contractors that believe they possess the ability to provide the required supplies or services should submit documentation of their ability to meet the project requirements. Respondents may provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement, “white paper,” answers to questions/issues, etc. This may include but is not limited to:

• respondents’ opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts;

• information regarding respondents’: (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information;

• general information regarding the respondent’s estimate or rough order of magnitude of the effort or time that may be required for completion of the work.

(NOTE: This type of information may only be requested as part of an RFI.

However, care must be exercised in requesting such information. Information requested must be: (a) necessary; (b) broad in scope; and (c) used for planning purposes only. Detailed estimates must not be requested.);

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

For supplies, the respondent must identify whether supplies are or are not domestic end products. The respondent must identify if its organization is the manufacturer or a non-manufacturer (i.e. authorized reseller). If the respondent is a non-manufacturer, it must address its ability to comply with the Nonmanufacturer Rule consistent with FAR Deviation 2019-01.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer.

Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Anna Chiang at e-mail address anna.ching@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before July 9, 2020 at 2pm, Eastern Time.

“Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”