FACSymphony Flow Cytometer System

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for quotations. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with BD Biosciences to procure a BD FACSymphony Flow Cytometer system. Market research indicated that the BD Biosciences Symphony Flow Cytometer System is the only flow cytometer system which can meet the government's requirement.
The research involved will be used to better understand HIV-Specific CD8+ T-cell responses and functionality in the context of HIV infection. The FACSymphony system is necessary to meet the analytical capabilities required for the research being performed. Some of the capabilities required include: the ability to customize and configure fluorescence detector capabilities, including user access to, and ability to change, fluorescence band pass and long pass filters; thirty parameter simultaneous detection including FSC and SSC from five (5) lasers; upgradable to simultaneous 7 laser capability and 60 parameter detection; simultaneous 30 parameter detection of 28 fluorescence markers plus forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) signal; automatic time delay calculation using instrument set-up software; variable detector configurations using reflected light decagon PMT arrays; LED pulsing for Quality Control (QC) by measuring relative background and noise; integrated laser power control software that provides for turning power on/off and adjustable power level control for each of the software controllable lasers; and 5-lasers with the following wavelength (nm) and power output maximum (milli watts): 405 nm, 100 milliwatts, 488 nm, 400 milliwatts, 628 nm, 200 milliwatts, 532nm, 1 watt, 355nm, 60 milliwatts.
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 responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. All responsible sources that could provide comparable supplies may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NIAID-NOI18-1920030) to Jason Aroz at Jason.Aroz@nih.gov, by 9:00 am eastern standard time Monday, September 17, 2018. All responses received by the closing date of this Notice 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..