6640--Ann Arbor VA CELL SORTER (VA-20-00013698)

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Becton, Dickinson, and Company, BD Biosciences, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1; for the procurement of the FACS Aria Fusion 656700-23 equipment. The Research group requires high-precision cell sorting of rare cell populations from BSL2 animal study samples and samples isolated from human subjects for clinical studies (BSL2). This instrument the minimum specifications

System must have fixed optical alignment.

System must use a gel coupled cuvette flow cell.

System must use fiber optics for the 488n, 640nm, 405nm, and 561nm lasers to increase laser efficiency. With the ability to add a 355nm UV laser air-launched and focused on the cuvette flow cell as a field upgrade.

System must use collection optics set up in patented octagon pathways that maximize signal detection from each laser illuminated beam spot.

System must be capable of having four lasers, Four Pinholes, 488/633/405/561 with up to 17 different parameters, 15 colors, FSC, and SSC.

System must have the ability to be upgraded with the lasers not equipped with the unit at point of sale.

System must have the capability of having an ACDU, Automatic Cell Deposition Unit, plate unit that cells can be cloned (single-cell sorting). The system also must have index sorting.

System must have the capability of having an integrated biosafety solution with a built-in Aerosol Management System that operates independent of the cabinet for an added measure of safety. Needs to have containment hood (at the minimum BSL-2) that meets the new ISAC standards for cell sorting safety that together with the containment hood fit entirely within the footprint of 130 X115 for which we have available space in our research facility.

System must have the ability to perform up to 4-way sorts.

System must operate using FACS DIVA software.

System must have the ability to run a 70/85/100/130 micron nozzle. It also must have the capability of having a closed loop nozzle for use in cleaning and to be used during basic acquisition.

System must have Accudrop technology.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement and who is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller of all the items listed above, may submit a capability statement to the contracting office to the contracting office no later than Friday, February 21, 2020 , 4:00 PM EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Elaine DiBucci at elaine.dibucci@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.