Sources Sought Notice - 75N94025Q00202.pdf

SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Ordering Agency NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Requiring Agency NIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

(NIDDK)

Reference Number 75N94025Q00202

Project Title Multi-sample shearing System/Sonication Device for NIDDK

NAICS Code 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Posted Date September 29th, 2025

Current Response Date October 9th, 2025, 1700 EDT

1 INTRODUCTION

This is a Small Business Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation. 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 business; 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; and (4) availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality.

The NAICS code for this requirement is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a Small Business Association (SBA) size standard of 1,000 employees.

Responses must:

Include the place/country of manufacture for each supply/equipment.

Address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code.

Identify the responding firm’s size and type of business.

This notice is being issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting Government requirements and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes.

No award will be made as a result of this notice. This notice is strictly for market research and information purposes only. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

2 BACKGROUND

The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. As part of the NIH, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Intramural Research Program (IRP) conducts biomedical research and training related to diabetes mellitus;

endocrine, bone, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, including liver diseases and nutritional disorders; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. The Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics is one of NIDDK IRP 17 Laboratories and Branches. The study of fundamental mechanisms of gene expression during development informs NIDDK’s basic understanding of organismal growth as well as disorders that result in chronic diseases such as those listed above. To advance work that aims to understand these fundamental mechanisms, the NIDDK Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics needs equipment that will shear DNA, RNA, and chromatin; extract nucleic acid and protein; disrupt tissues, cells, and protein aggregates; and solubilize compounds. The Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics is currently engaged in high throughput genomic and epigenomic studies that require precise and reproducible sample preparation. A critical component of workflows involves the shearing of DNA, RNA, and chromatin to specific fragment sizes suitable for next-generation sequencing (NGS), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), and other downstream applications. To achieve optimal results, it is essential to acquire and utilize a shearing system/sonication device that offers consistent performance, scalability, and compatibility with low sample volumes.

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUIREMENT

The NIDDK requires delivery of Multi-sample shearing system/sonication device equipment, including one-year support package covering all manufacturing repairs, software/firmware updates, a quality control kit with a high quality tube holder, shearing consumables and shearing accessories, including tube holders, tubes & sonication beads, microtubes, microtubes with caps, cuff hose, and shipping costs.

The following product features/characteristics are required for this system:

Sample Volume Flexibility: A system that accommodates a wide range of sample volumes from as low as 5 µl to up to 2 ml, is preferred to support our diverse experimental setups.

High Throughput Capability: Simultaneous processing of multiple samples is essential. The device must support the sonication of up to 16 samples in parallel, enhancing workflow efficiency.

Precise Fragmentation Control: Achieving specific DNA fragment sizes is critical. The system must provide adjustable sonication parameters to target fragment lengths between 150 bp and 1,000 bp, with a recommended DNA concentration of 10 ng/µl.

Integrated Cooling System: To prevent sample degradation due to heat, the system must include an integrated cooling system that maintains the water bath temperature between 2°C and 20°C during sonication.

User-Friendly Interface: The device must offer an intuitive user interface with both easy and advanced modes, allowing researchers of varying expertise to operate the system effectively.

Reproducibility and Reliability: Consistent performance is paramount. The device’s design must ensure uniform energy distribution across samples, leading to reproducible results.

Compliance with Safety Standards: The system must adhere to safety regulations, including a degree of protection of IP31, ensuring safe operation in laboratory environments.

Deliver precise and reproducible DNA and chromatin shearing for various applications, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), and other genomic analyses.

Delivery Location: NIH/NIDDK, BLDG 50 / RM 3133, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20814

We anticipate a performance period of: Delivery by 90 Days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

4 CAPABILITY STATEMENT / INFORMATION SOUGHT

If your organization has the capability to furnish the supplies described above, please provide a tailored Capability Statement with appropriate documentation supporting the ability to perform all of the areas outlined below.

Include information regarding prior completed projects of similar nature, as applicable. If subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to meet technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

Each response should also include the following business information:

Legal Business Name

Business address

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) #

Point of contact (name, title, address, telephone, and e-mail)

NAICS code/Business classification size

Socio-economic status pursuant to the applicable NAICS code

List of any current Government Schedule Contracts/Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts

Capability Areas to Address:

1. Manufacturing and Supply: Demonstrate capability to manufacture or supply multi-sample shearing system/sonication device equipment and accessories.

2. Technical Support and Customer Service: Demonstrate capability to provide or supply support/maintenance package and software/firmware updates. Contractors should have an understanding of the Government’s anticipated application for the device and technical knowledge related to the equipment design and manufacturing processes.

3. Past Performance: Identify other previous projects involving the manufacturing or delivery of similar analytical laboratory instruments/equipment to Government or research facilities, preferably in health research, laboratories, or similar applications.

5 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, normal margins, with single or double spacing. The response should be limited to ten (10) pages. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page. The information submitted should be in an outline format and must address each of the capability areas for the requirement, and any other information stated in this notice as applicable.

Capability Statements Capability Statements should be submitted electronically to Jacob Balenson at Jacob.balenson@nih.gov on or before 10/9/2025 at 1800 EDT.

Notice: All questions and/or comments must be emailed to the contact above. Answers may not be provided, however any information received will assist with the acquisition for this requirement. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Respondents are solely responsible and accountable for all expenses associated with their response. The Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to Responders with respect to any information submitted. 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 all required work. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. 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).