Automated centrifugation-based plate washer with dispenser system

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N95019Q00026 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) on a SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE basis.

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Test Program for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is NOT expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000.00. A Fixed-Price type contract is contemplated for any resulting contract entered into as a result of this solicitation.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC Number/Effective Date: FAC_2005-101 / 10-26-2018.

(iv) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 333999 All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing with size standard 500 employees.

(v) Background
The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a translational science center whose mission is to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. The Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL) at NCATS is established to move stem cell technologies forward through a more centralized effort. The goal of the SCTL is to bring iPSC technology closer to clinical application, drug discovery and regenerative medicine, which enables researchers across various disciplines and organizations the ability to establish collaborations to advance the translation of regenerative medicine applications. SCTL seeks to obtain an automated, centrifugation-based plate washer with dispenser system fulfilling salient characteristics described in this notice.

Purpose and Objective:
The purpose of this potential requirement is to obtain one (1) Automated centrifugation-based plate washer with dispenser system. SCTL high-throughput screening projects require the washing of 384- and 1536-well microplates. Currently, SCTL currently only has aspirator-type washers to perform this function. Using an aspirator-type washer is a tedious procedure, and each wash step can introduce a degree of volumetric error and a potential source of contamination into the assay plate/s. Also, some cells do not tolerate the agitation of multiple dispense/aspiration steps, so cells can be lost from wells in cell-based assays. This instrument will enable SCTL researchers to gently wash microplates using centrifugation, which will greatly increase the throughput of assays that require multiple wash steps. Centrifugation allows for a contact-free and complete removal of liquid from the well without disrupting adherent cells.

Product Description: This requirement includes obtaining the subject instrument fulfilling the following salient characteristics deemed essential to achieve:

Uses centrifugation instead of aspiration for non-contact and contamination-free removal of liquids from all plate formats, including 1536 well.

Achieves near zero residual volume and eliminates problems associated with conventional, aspiration-based washers.

Reduces assay background and variability, eliminates wash steps and needle clogging, while increasing throughput, reliability and saving consumable cost with tipless media-changes in cell-based screening and magnetic bead wash applications.

Contains an automated, centrifugation-based plate dryer and media changer.

Provides Software licenses for graphical user interface (GUI) and firmware (FW) with updates for 12 months.

Contains gravity based liquid waste handling capability.

Contains dispenser option for 96, 384, and 1536 well plates from up to 7 liquid input channels.

Inspection and Acceptance
Offerors should indicate an estimated delivery time in full after receipt of an order including if training or warranty provisions are applicable. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at NCATS, located at 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.

(vi) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following is provided as an addendum to FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors: Offerors should indicate an estimated delivery time in full after receipt of an order.

(vii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following is an addendum to 52.212-2. Responses received to this RFQ will be evaluated on the basis of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Offeror's submitting a response must provide a completed Price Quote to be evaluated and considered for award. Price quotes must indicate fixed unit pricing and total cost, including shipping cost and estimated time of delivery after receipt of order, and warranty and training considerations.

Responses will be evaluated based on contractor's ability to meet the government's essential requirements stated in this notice and on ability to deliver required supplies. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the Offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the essential government requirements stated in this solicitation. Under the lowest-price technically acceptable (LPTA) process, Offerors' will be determined to be "technically acceptable" or "technically unacceptable" based on the evaluation of responses to determine if, as submitted, the proposal is technically acceptable.

Respondents that believe that they are manufacturers or authorized resellers of any BRAND-NAME product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order.

(viii) The provision at FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(ix) The provision at FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. An addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The addendum includes the following FAR Clauses: non-applicable.

(x) The provision of FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. The following clauses listed in FAR clause 52.212-5 are applicable to the acquisition:

52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2016)
52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003)
52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation With Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2018)
52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015)
52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016)
52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers With Disabilities (Jul 2014)
52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015)
52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Aug 2011)
52.225-1 Buy American - Supplies (May 2014)
52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008)
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management (Jul. 2013)

In addition, the following FAR provisions are applicable to this solicitation and incorporated by reference: 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018), 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018), 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Jul 2016), 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Jul 2016).

(xi) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition.

(xii) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

(xiii) Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The PRICE QUOTE shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria and a price proposal.

Offerors must include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, with their offer, or provide a copy of the valid certifications registrations and Representation and Certifications from the System of Award Management (SAM) applications at www.SAM.gov, which may be indicated on the Offeror's cover sheet.

In addition, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All Offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov."

All responses must be received no later than the date specified in this announcement. Late responses will not be accepted. All responses must reference the solicitation number identified in this solicitation. Responses must be submitted electronically to hunter.tjugum@nih.gov. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. For information regarding this solicitation, contact Mr. Hunter Tjugum by email at hunter.tjugum@nih.gov or by phone at 301-827-5304.

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