Instruments and Laboratory Equipment /BD FACSAria Fusion Cell Sorter

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD), 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, CA 95131 to procure the following:

FACSAria Fusion SORP with ACDU, Part #658282, qty-1, that includes the following:

-SORP Fusion Base no Lasers CLE Rdy

-Laser Coherent OBIS 488-100 LS SORP

-2 Det Pkg Poly Blue, SSC: 488/10, FITC/BB15; (505LP; 530/30), PerCP Cy5.5: (690LP; 710/50)

-Laser OBIS 637-140 LX SORP

-3 Det Pkg Poly Red APC: 670/30, Alexa 700 (690LP; 710/50), APC Cy7: (750LP; 780/60)

-Laser Violet Coherent OBIS 405-100 LX

-6 Det Poly Violet BV421 (450/50), BV510 (505LP; 525/50), BV605 (600LP; 610/20), BV650 (635LP; 670/30), BV711 (690LP; 710/50), BV750 (750LP; 780/60)

-5 Det Poly YG PE (586/15), PE CF594 (600LP; 610/20), PE Cy5 (635LP; 670/30), PE Cy5.5 (690LP; 710/50), PE Cy7 (750LP;780/60)

-Laser Coherent OBIS 561-50 LS SORP

-Compressor Air EXT120V/60HZ 0-120Psi 4L

-BD FACS Clean Solution 5L

-Accudrop Fluorescent Beads 25 Tests

- Calibrate 3 Color Beads Kit 25 Tests IVD

-Rainbow Flrs Prtcl Bright 3.0-3.4um 5mL

-BD FACSDiva CS&T Research Beads Kit 50T

-BD FACSFlow Sheath Fluid 20L

-NEC 19In LCD Monitor

-Coherent Connection with Integration Kit

-Aria II Temperature Control option 115V

Option Hood Safety Biological, Part #657590, qty-1

Trade-In of BD FACS Aria II, serial #P18500001

This acquisition will be processed FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures will be used for this acquisition.  This acquisition will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.501(a)(1).

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation.  This will be awarded as a firm-fixed price type of contract.

Delivery to Rockville, Maryland 20852 approximately 90 days after receipt and acceptance of award.

The Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR) has a requirement for a BD FACSAria Fusion cell sorter to maintain continuity of science, data integrity, experimental compatibility between existing equipment and critical protocols, and to prevent variability.  The LMVR requires a BD FACSAria fluorescence-activated cell sorter that enables researchers to separate different desired populations of cells, with high sensitivity, from samples using fluorochromes.  The main objective is to replace an end-of-life BD FACS Aria II, serial #P18500001.  The new cell sorter promotes the overall mission of the LMVR, by providing tools to advance projects in basic and clinical research.  There are a number of laboratory sections and units within LMVR that have critical projects to include the analysis of dormant parasites in response to drug treatments, molecular interactions between parasites and human and nonhuman primate cells, to investigate parasite metabolism, identify macrophages involved in malaria response, and molecular interactions between malaria parasites and mosquito cells.  The LMVR  has been using fluorescent dyes to stain parasites after treating with dihydroartemisinin (DHA, the active metabolite of most artemisinin-based antimalarials) and using fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate the population that have progressed into potential dormancy.  Cell populations is characterized by fluorescence-lifetime imaging as well as AiryScan microscopy.  To isolate the different cell populations, a FACSAria Fusion is critical due to its one to four way sorting capabilities, specificity, speed and ability to capture the small proportion of parasites in this dormant fraction, stained with our established protocols.  The patented AccuDrop technology will allow for much easier setup for setting up cell sorts, which the process is automated vs. manual methods used on other sorters which decreases set-up time.  This will increase the drop resolution, which provides accurate investigation with better results in sort purity and yield.  Other available flow cytometers at the NIH do not have the capacity to separate the number of distinct populations needed in the time frame of a single experiment, which is between 4 and 6 hours.  Several LMVR research sections have been using Research Technology Branch flow cytometry core at NIAID to standardize protocols, traveling to and from main campus multiple times a week.   Due to the distance between Twinbrook and main campus, experiments relying on maintaining cell viability are compromised due to the time in transit.  Further, considering a limited availability of the facility, several experiments had to be postponed.  A FACSAria Fusion has been available through our Laboratory of Immunogenetics where LMVR has been working collaboratively with investigators to pursue projects of mutual interest.  However, the single equipment is in high demand limiting experiments.  In order to pursue the required projects of LMVR the lab must upgrade and expand with the BD FACSAria Fusion cell sorter with the capacity to perform cell sorting under sterile conditions with a biosafety cabinet.  To procure another brand of cell sorter would be a detrimental loss of samples; continuity of experiments.  This would put a halt to the ongoing protocols already in place.  An added bonus of the additional cell sorter is being able to adhere to the “social distancing” rule in place in laboratories to ensure staff health and safety during the time of the coronavirus pandemic.  

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 source available, no substitutions possible.  THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS.  All responsible sources who can provide the same equipment may submit a response that could be considered by email (subject line to reference NIAID-NOI-20-2025075) to Tonia Alexander at talexander@niaid.nih.gov, by 11:00 am eastern daylight time Wednesday, September 23, 2020.  All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow NIAID to determine if it can meet the above specifications described herein.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Any response received after the closing date and time of this notice will be late and will not be considered.