Statement of Work NIAID-NOI-22-2101461.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will conduct research that facilitates the development of effective AIDS vaccines.

Activities in the Center will include: 1) basic research to establish mechanisms of inducing long-lasting protective immunity against HIV and other pathogens that present special challenges to vaccine development, 2) the conception, design, and preparation of vaccine candidates for HIV and related viruses, and 3) laboratory analysis, animal testing, and clinical trials of such candidates. The VRC will conduct a comprehensive program of research on the NIH intramural campus and work with scientists in academic, clinical, and industrial laboratories through a program of national and international collaborations. The VRC will actively seek industrial partners for the development, efficacy testing, and marketing of vaccines and focus the development of new methodologies and training opportunities that will benefit all HIV vaccine researchers. The potential scientific advances, methodologies, and resources will also provide the basis for research on vaccines for other diseases.

Our work in HIV infection in part involves analysis of the responses of CD4 and CD8 T cells that respond to HIV both in a pathogenic state and as a vaccine induced response. Escape from adaptive T cell immunity through viral epitope mutation is considered to be a major obstacle to the development of vaccines that aim to elicit cellular immunity. We have established an Immunology Core Laboratory (IMC) that operates under good laboratory practices within the VRC structure and works in close association with the Immunology Laboratory in advancing and improving ways of measuring immune responses to vaccines. The practical consequences of our findings suggest that vaccine strategies should elicit responding T cells that are qualitatively superior to those elicited in natural infection.

B. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this acquisition is to provide a service agreement that consist of the following: one (1) BD FACSymphony S6 Cell Sorter (serial #R66293700037), five (5) BD FACSymphony A5 Flow Cytometers (serial #H66096400001, H66096400005, H66096400006, H66096400007, H66096400009), four (4) High Throughput Samplers (serial #U64770160547, U33865907062, U3386590760254, U3386590760288), and various lasers that will maintain the equipment in optimal operating condition. These machines are constantly in use throughout the day and if it were put out of action due to lack of maintenance or mechanical failure the ability of the investigators in the VRC to conduct their research would be severely handicapped. It is for this reason that a renewal Service Agreement is essential.

C. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

a) the Contractor shall provide service coverage for the FACSymphony A5 that includes the following:

• parts, labor and travel for remedial repair,

• 2 Preventative Maintenance Inspections to be performed during twelve-month period,

• 2 PM Kits,

• Software Revisions released during the period of performance,

• Unlimited service visits, Monday-Friday,

• Unlimited telephone support for instruments, reagents, and applications will be provided at no additional charge, and

• Every reasonable effort will be made to respond with 48 hours to a request for emergency on-site service Monday – Friday.

b) the Contractor shall provide service coverage for the FACSymphony S6 (no lasers) EAU that includes the following :

• parts, labor and travel for remedial repair,

• 2 Preventative Maintenance Inspections to be performed during twelve-month period,

• 2 PM Kits,

• Software Revisions released during the period of performance,

• Unlimited service visits, Monday-Friday,

• Unlimited telephone support for instruments, reagents, and applications will be provided at no additional charge, and

• Every reasonable effort will be made to respond with 48 hours to a request for emergency on-site service Monday – Friday.

c) the Contractor shall provide service coverage for the High Throughput Sampler that includes the following:

• Depot Level Repair between BD Biosciences Repair Center, San Jose, CA and Customer,

• One (1) Preventative Maintenance Inspections to be performed during twelve-month period in conjunction with the superior equipment’s Preventative Maintenance Inspection,

• One (1) PM Kit,

• An emergency replacement will be provided within two (2) working days.

The use of new or like new parts will be at the discretion of BD Biosciences,

• The user agrees to return the malfunctioning High Throughput Sampler within

5 business days upon receipt of replacement to the BD Biosciences Repair Center. San Jose, CA. If the High Throughput Sampler is not received, customer will be invoices for the full value,

• Unlimited telephone support for instruments, reagents, and applications will be provided at no additional charge, and

• BD Biosciences will assume all costs associated with labor, shipping and parts excluding consumable items.

D. CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED MATERIALS

The Contractor shall provide all necessary parts and equipment necessary to perform repair and planned maintenance of the above equipment.

E. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS

No Government furnished materials are provided under this contract.

F. REPORTING REQUIREMENT AND DELIVERABLES

Technical support and remedial repair of as needed, an annual preventative maintenance.

G. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is estimated February 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023.

H. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a) All work will be inspected and approved by a VRC representative at the completion of any repairs and at the completion of the annual maintenance.

b) All work will be completed in accordance with industry standards.