Corning Epic BT high-throughput label-free microplate reader, or brand name equal instrument

(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 NIHDA201800434 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).
This acquisition is for a commercial item and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5- Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-99-1, dated July 16, 2018.
(iv) The associated NAICS code is 334516 and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. This requirement is full and open with no set-aside restrictions.
(v) 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.
NCATS seeks to purchase one (1) Corning Epic BT high-throughput label-free microplate reader, or brand name equal instrument. The Corning Epic BT high-throughput label-free microplate reader utilizes label-free detection to enable high-sensitivity biochemical and cellular assays. It is commercially available and can be customized with options to fit the specific laboratory needs.
The brand name requirements include:
Catalog No., Quantity, Description
5053, one (1), Epic BT System
5040, four (4), Epic 384-well cell assay microplate, fibronectin-coated, case of 10
5090, three (3), Epic 1536-well cell assay microplate, case of 20
Field installation and training
(vi) Brand name equal high-throughput label-free plate readers must have the following salient characteristics:
• Whole microplate analysis using CCD detection of wavelength shift
• No microplate movement (all wells analyzed simultaneously)
• 384 and 1536-well capabilities
• Compact and simplified instrument design (reduced footprint capable of placement within incubator)
• Easy Integration into the Kalypsys Robotic Platform
(vii) Delivery shall occur within eight (8) weeks after receipt of order. Delivery shall be made to the below address with FOB Destination.
National Center for the Advancement of Translational Sciences
Attention: Dr. Matthew Hall
9800 Medical Center Dr., Bldg B
Rockville, MD 20850
Installation and on-site training shall occur shortly after delivery. The exact date and time will be determined by NCATS and the contractor.
(viii) The Government plans to award a contract resulting from this solicitation. The resulting award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:
1. Technical approach. Technical approach includes the extent to which the offeror conforms to the brand-name specifications.
2. Past performance (see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3))
3. Price
(ix) The following provisions / clauses apply to this acquisition:
• The provision at FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal
• The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items
• The provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. This provision is provided in full text as an attachment to this combined synopsis/solicitation. Offerors are to complete this provision and submit a completed copy with its offer.
• The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items
• The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. This clause is provided in full text as an attachment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.
• NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (2/2014). These provisions are provided as an attachment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.
(x) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition.
(xi) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.
(xii) 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, product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance; special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations.
Respondents proposing on an equal product of the 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.
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 by 12:00pm EDT on Friday, August 31, 2018, and reference solicitation number NIHDA201800434. Responses may be submitted electronically to Kimberly Espinosa, Contract Specialist, at kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov.
Fax responses will not be accepted.
(xiii) The name and telephone number of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation is Kimberly Espinosa, Contract Specialist, 301-827-3546, kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov.

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