Automated Protein Denaturation Platform

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Integrated Research Facility (IRF) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Unchained Labs, 6870 Koll Ctr Pkwy Ste 200, Pleasanton, CA, 94566-3176 for Automated Protein Denaturation Platform.  This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.501(a)(1).

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type of contract.  Additional Automated Protein Denaturation Platform can only be provided by one source.

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 only one source available and no substitutions are possible.  THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. All responsible sources who can provide the same or similar equipment may submit a response that could be considered by email to Brad Engel at brad.engel@nih.gov by the date and time stipulated.  All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow NIAID to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. All responses received by the closing date of this solicitation will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:  Additional Hunky Denaturation System is required in the laboratories protein analysis processes.  This includes the Hunky Client software and Hunky Analysis software.  This is a critical function within the laboratory and the new system must utilize the same system, software, protocols, and consumables. Changing to a different type of consumable/equipment at this stage in the testing/experiments would be disastrous, causing data variations.   These data variations would invalidate research and most importantly, the setback would cause unnecessary delays to critical research.  Products and materials may appear to be similar, however, small factors in their production can lead to vastly different and inconsistent results.  With the life/health aspect involved, the salient requirements of numerous research projects must be maintained.