Brand Name or Equal: Maestro APEX system, Maestro Pro Microelectrode Array (MEA) Platform, and accessories

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.
Please note that to qualify as an eligible small business for purposes of a small business set-aside, at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel must be expended for employees of the small business awardee (see FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting).
Purpose and Objectives
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a translational science center that prides itself on its tremendously productive pipeline and is innovative in several ways. NCATS brings together a diverse range of scientists, including medicinal chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and engineers, in to ultimately translate basic science into real products and services that help improve people's lives.
Project Requirements
NCATS seeks to purchase one (1) Maestro APEX system, one (1) Maestro Pro Microelectrode Array Platform (MEA), and accessories, or brand-name equal. This equipment is required to meet project milestones in support of the Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) Initiative. The Maestro APEX system provides automation capabilities for all aspects of microelectrode array plate preparation, maintenance, and experiment execution. The Maestro Pro MEA Platform allows for simultaneous live, label-free recording of electrically active cells. This will be utilized to characterize neurons, such as nociceptors and cardiomyocytes, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Characterization of these cells with the comprehensive Maestro system will allow NCATS scientists to gain a better understanding of the behavior of diseased cells, screen for drugs to treat that disease/disorder, and examine potential toxic effects of drug candidates.
See the attached Small Business Sources Sought for details on the brand-name equipment and salient characteristics.
Anticipated Delivery Date
Delivery is to occur within four (4) weeks after receipt of order. The dates for the two-day installation and training shall be coordinated with the NCATS Point of Contact listed on the purchase order.
Required Information
All capability statements must provide the following: (1) DUNS number; (2) organization name; (3) organization address; (4) point of contact; (5) point of contact title, address, telephone, and email address; and (6) size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.) pursuant the applicable NAICS code.
Submission Instructions and Due Date
Written capability statements must be submitted no later than 9:00am EDT on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 to the below Contracting Office Address, Attn: Kimberly Espinosa. Electronic capability statements will be accepted by the primary point of contact listed below.
Disclaimer and Important Notes
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.
Confidentiality
No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)..