Expansion of HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

SAM.gov Draft

Title: Notice of Intent to Sole Source – Expansion of HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS

Notice ID: NIH-NOI-26-PCA-NCATS-06129

Notice Type: Special Notice / Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

NAICS Code: 339113 – Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing

Set-Aside Status: No set-aside

Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price

Estimated Award Date: August 14, 2026

Response Date: 6/24/2026, 11:00am EST

Description

This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source and is not a request for competitive quotations. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract to:

HighRes Biosolutions
102 Cherry Hill Drive
Beverly, MA 01915
United States

for the Expansion of the HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS.

The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

NCATS currently operates an existing HighRes automated laboratory plate handling system used to support high-throughput screening and translational research workflows. The purpose of this requirement is to expand the installed system to support increased screening capacity and improved management of specialized compound libraries.

The acquisition includes proprietary HighRes hardware, software, and services necessary to integrate additional capacity into the existing platform, including but not limited to:

• HighRes Custom Table System with ACell Robot
• SteriStore D automated incubator
• Plate stackers
• Lid handling components
• Plate orientation devices
• Cellario software/device drivers
• Installation
• Commissioning
• User acceptance testing

The current platform was specifically designed as a proprietary, scalable HighRes system, and any expansion requires direct compatibility with its hardware architecture, control software, and integration framework. HighRes Biosolutions is the original manufacturer and integrator of the installed NCATS system and possesses the unique technical knowledge, proprietary parts, software, and integration capability required to perform this expansion.

Market research determined that while other vendors may offer laboratory automation and robotic plate handling systems, no other source can provide a fully compatible expansion to the existing HighRes platform without substantial risk of incompatibility, system disruption, redesign, reverse engineering, schedule delays, increased cost, and warranty invalidation.

The estimated value of this acquisition is $660,655.85.

This notice is for informational purposes only. However, any responsible source that believes it is capable of meeting the Government’s requirement may submit a capability statement. Capability statements must demonstrate the ability to provide all required proprietary hardware, software, integration, installation, testing, and validation services necessary to expand the existing HighRes system without compromising compatibility, performance, or warranty coverage.

Responses must be submitted in writing via email to the points of contact identified below no later than June 24, 2026 at 11:00am EST.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered only for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Place of Performance

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
9800 Medical Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20850

Period of Performance

12 months from date of award

Instructions to Interested Parties

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement by submitting:

1. Company name and address
2. UEI number
3. Point of contact information
4. Business size and socioeconomic status
5. Technical capability statement demonstrating ability to provide the required OEM-compatible HighRes system expansion
6. Evidence of authorization to provide and integrate proprietary HighRes hardware/software into the existing NCATS system
7. Relevant past performance for similar proprietary laboratory automation system expansions

Responses shall be limited to 5 pages and submitted electronically to the points of contact below.

Primary Point of Contact

Linda Smith
linda.smith2@nih.gov

Secondary Point of Contact

Danielle Tines
danielle.tines@nih.gov

Disclaimer

This notice does not constitute a solicitation for offers, proposals, or quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice.