Bio Threat Detection Instrument

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

The National Institutes of Health, Division of Fire and Rescue Services intends to award a contract to Safeware, Inc on a sole source basis for the purchase of one BioMeMe Bio Threat Detection Instrument.

The NIH DFRS currently employes the RAZOR Biothreat detection system that uses a single assay system to screen for ten different targets. The new system will allow us to screen for 14 different biological agents at once giving us enhanced operational capabilities. The current system being utilized by the NIH DFRS is the RAZOR system which will not be supported by the manufacturer after next year, which means the consumable products will no longer be available and the unit will cease to function.  The unit is also at the end of its service life due to being over 15 years old.  This piece of equipment is critical and required to be carried by the NIH DFRS to maintain our FEMA Type I Hazardous Materials Unit designation.  It is also critical due to the mission of the National Institutes of Health conducting biological research and is paramount to safeguard the employees and visitors of the National Institutes of Health.

The authority permitting this sole source acquisition without full and open competition is prescribed by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

This notice serves as a Notice of Intent to award a contract and is not a request for proposals or quotations. No requests for capability briefings will be considered. A solicitation package will not be posted publicly and requests for copies of the solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive procurement in the future would be in the best interest of the Government.

Responsible sources that believe they can perform these services in their entirety must submit a written notification of interest and capability statement by 9:00 AM (Eastern Time) on May 2, 2025. All information submitted should support the firm’s capabilities to provide all of the required services and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to the following address: holleyv@od.nih.gov. Telephone requests or inquires will not be accepted. In order to receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid, current Entity Record, including current Representations and Certifications, in the System for Award Management (SAM) through SAM.gov.