Liquid Handling Robot

Description: 

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.  An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition.  It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.  Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes.  No award will be made as a result of this notice.  The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.  This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background and Objectives:  

The National Institute on Aging, the iPSC Neurodegenerative Disease Initiative (iNDI) embedded within CARD, was established to apply genomic engineered iPSC-derived neuron models to the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research. With an end goal of comprehensively characterizing isogenic iPSC lines harboring 132 variants across 73 ADRD genes, further divided into 682 daughter the scope of the iNDI project positions it to host the largest ADRD panel derived from iPSCs of a single healthy donor. The long-term, large-scale project demands well-validated pipelines to counter risks of outcome reliability and consistency, as well as maximizing throughput when dealing with so many cell lines. The 96 format of the Bravo allows for a large number of samples to be processed at once, and has proven to be indispensable in the pipelines we’ve developed and applied to pilot studies. Recently, we’ve processed hundreds of differentiated neuron samples using the process designed for iNDI which utilizes the Agilent AssayMap Bravo, with these processed samples going to both proteomic and genetic analysis pipelines. Leveraging these datasets, we not only confirmed that a majority of differentiated Neurons represent mature cortical neurons (validating our parental cell line and differentiation scheme), but also used cluster data to identify potential unreported regulators in neuron differentiation. The Bravo BenchCel Workstation would contribute to our automation efforts. The ability to write, and eventually publish, user-made protocols to run on the Bravo, the modular elements, and the expanded compatibility with other laboratory instruments gives clear advantages over the AssayMAP Bravo and will streamline our protocols even further.

Project Requirements:

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed.

Specifications: At the minimum, the Government’s salient characteristics are:  

Single Automated Platform – Migrate complex sample prep workflows onto one platform

Open Platform – to allow methods that dispense standard resins and reagents

Full Liquid Handling Capabilities - Mounts with either AssayMAP cartridges or pipette tips for standard liquid handling

Volumetric range 0.3-250 µL

Agilent VWorks Automation Control Software Instrument License to integrate with existing methods.

Pipettable positions shall include nine platepads

The Automated Microplate Processor should be brand-name or equivalent to Bravo BenchCel 2R Workstation manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc. with the following components:  (1) Bravo BenchCel Workstation; product number G5591AA: Quantity 1-each. (2) 96 Channel Disposable Tip Professional Services; product number G5057A: Quantity 1-each. (3) Professional Services; product number H7864A: Quantity 3-each. (4) 10 uL Tips; product number 10734-202: Quantity 2-each. (5) 30 uL Tips; product number 11484-202: Quantity 2-each. (6) 70 uL Tips; product number 19133-102: Quantity 2-each. (7) 70 uL Tips, Wide Bore Conductive; product number 19134-002: Quantity 1-each. (8) 250 uL Tips; product number 19477-002: Quantity 1-each. (9) Liquid Handling Accessories; product number G5498B: Quantity 1-each.

Anticipated Delivery Date:  Delivery date of 6 months after receipt of purchase order.

Capability Statement:
Small business concerns that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately.  Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Small businesses must also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information.

Interested small businesses are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, reference the solicitation notice number.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein.  A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) pages.  The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

All capability statements sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought Notice must be submitted to Fred Ettehadieh, Contracting Officer, by email at fred.ettehadieh@nih.gov before the closing date and time of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Facsimile responses are not acceptable.

Disclaimer and Important Notes:

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response.  No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response.  The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.  Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.  Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.  After review of the responses received, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published in Federal Business Opportunities.  However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.  The solicitation release date is pending. 

Confidentiality:

No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).