Led freeze-dry microscope

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 "Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and solicitation for commercial Items," as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotes are being requested. The Solicitation number is RFQ-NIAID-1978587 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ).

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) FAC 2019-03 and effective 07/12/2019.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1000 employees.

This requirement is NOT set-aside for small business.

Background and laboratory needs:
The Vaccine Production Program (VPP) is the development arm of the Vaccine Research Center. The mission of the VRC is to create and develop potentially lifesaving vaccines for HIV, Ebola, Zika, Malaria and other known pathogens and get these potentially lifesaving products into the clinic. These products are often deployed in clinical trials in locations where refrigeration and temperature control may be unreliable or nonexistent. Lyophilization (freeze-drying) of vaccines products is an alternate product development approach that will lessen the risk of clinical trial failure. Successful lyophilization process development requires knowledge of the collapse temperature (Tc) of each formulation being tested, which dictates the temperature range for primary drying.
The standard method for determination of the collapse temperature is sample analysis by Freeze-Dry Microscopy.
The VRC requests purchase of an LED Freeze-Drying Microscope to meet this critical mission objective.

The microscope must be from a single manufacturer, not a third-party add on to an existing microscope.
The instrumentation being requested needs to include single source integrated system including an ultra-low temperature a cryostage (100Ω Pt100 resistance thermometer for temperature monitoring and control, internal sample manipulators and a working temperature range of +125.0°C to -196.0°C), a high resolution (>2million pixel) digital camera with color output, minimal sample size (≤ 2µL), high accuracy temperature controller, and polarized light mode.
Customized software package developed specially for the image analysis require for Tc determined by freeze-dry microscopy. *The quote should include full specifications of equipment
*The quote/email should list the place of equipment manufacture.
*Please include your DUNS number

Place of Delivery: NIH, 9 West Watkins Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
FOB: Destination

Submission shall be received not later than 08/02/2019.

The government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order to the responsible contractor as a result of this RFQ that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. The award will be based on the following; price, capability to meet the requirements, delivery and the best value to the government.

The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://www.sam.gov/ in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items (Please ensure 52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015) is updated in your SAM record)

FAR 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements - Representation (Jan 2017)

The following FAR contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

FAR 52-212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (May 2019)
*The applicable subparagraphs of FAR52.212-5 are included in the attachment to this posting.
FAR 52.203-19 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (Jan 2017)

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013)

FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (Dec 2014)

HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (Dec 2015)

By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov).

Copies of the above-referenced provisions and clauses are available from http://www.acquisition.gov/far/loadmainre.html & http: //www.hhs.gov/regulation/index.html or, upon request, either by telephone or fax.

Offers may be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to Ms. Skye Duffner, (E-Mail/ skye.duffner@nih.gov 406-802-6092). Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f) (Oct 2018)

All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency.
Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to Ms. Skye Duffner at skye.duffner@nih.gov.

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