NIAID VRC 2nd Floor Octet RH96

Introduction

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice for informational and planning purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding:

1. 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. 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.

Project Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), Vaccine Research Center (VRC) is seeking small business sources to acquire on a brand name only basis one (1) Sartorius Octet RH96 system for its facility at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the Bethesda, Maryland campus to advancing research and development in vaccine research and development.  As part of the agency’s commitment to public health and safety, the VRC recognizes the critical need for advanced analytical instrumentation to expedite vaccine discovery and development processes.  The VRC requires this instrument as it will play a critical role in accelerating research timelines, enhancing experimental efficiency, and ultimately, advancing the development of vaccines against infectious diseases that pose significant threats to global health.

Specifically, NIAID, VRC is seeking one (1) Sartorius Octet RH96, 96-channel system that includes all the components per the attached Bill of Materials and meet all the salient characteristics below:

• The dimensions of the system include: 40cm (height) x 60cm (width) x 40cm (depth) x 25kg (weight).
• Analytical capabilities of the system includes real-time, label-free biomolecular interaction analysis; high-throughput quantification of viral antigens and antibodies; rapid kinetics measurements for epitope mapping and antigen characterization; and detection of binding events between viral components and host receptors with exceptional sensitivity
• Advanced Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) technology for precise and reliable measurements
• Octet data analysis software for streamlined data interpretation and reporting
• Compatibility with a wide range of viral samples, including viruses, viral proteins, and viral-like particles

The Government anticipates making a single award, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order.

Place of Performance

NIH/NIAID

40 Convent Drive

Bethesda, MD 20814

Anticipated Period of Performance

It is anticipated that an award will be made on or about August 15, 2024. Delivery of the Sartorius Octet RH96 system is preferred as soon as possible and required within 90 days.

Capability Statement/Information Sought

All capable small business vendors should respond with a capability statement of no more than six (6) pages by June 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. (No large businesses should respond to this announcement).

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide the Sartorius Octet RH96 system which meets the technical requirements and performance capabilities listed above, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, and UEI number.
2. Type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Other than Small, etc.)  pursuant to the applicable NAICS code.
3. Identification of any Best-In-Class contract vehicles including Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) (e.g., GSA schedule) they may possess or are aware of that would support this possible requirement. If your organization does not provide the products/services under a GWAC, please identify availability as OPEN MARKET ONLY.
4. Tailored capability statement addressing NIAID’s technical requirements. Capability document shall be no more than six pages.
5. Place of manufacture for the Sartorius Octet RH96 system and components.
6. Evidence that the organization is an authorized reseller or manufacturer of the Sartorius Octet RH96 system.  Authorized resellers shall identify the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the equipment proposed in their capability statement.  Only OEM products are acceptable.
7. Any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

Submission Instructions

Interested businesses who consider themselves qualified to provide the above listed products and services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by June 28, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be emailed to Kathy Song at kathy.song@nih.gov.

Disclaimer and Important Notes

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in 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 a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

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).

Amendment 001: Publish question and answer received regarding correction to the reflected dimensions.