Notice of Intent- Bond RX Stainer

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

The United Stated Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, IAW FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), with Government Scientific Source Inc., 12351 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191. Government Scientific Source (GSS), Inc. Leica Biosystems is the sole manufacturer of BOND RX stainer, to which Leica Biosystems has exclusive patent. GSS is the sole small business distributor and the sole GSA provider for BOND RX stainer. They are the only responsible source that can provide the Leica Bond RX Stainer that will be used in support of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (RIID) research mission. Leica BOND RX stainer is the only stainer combining staining automation and customization options, which addresses the Pathology Division’s need for an automation system to detect viral and bacterial antigens in a variety of different samples (including tissue and cell culture). 

Leica Biosystems is the sole manufacturer of BOND RX stainer, and Government Scientific Source (GSS) is the sole small business distributor and the sole GSA provider for BOND RX stainer.

This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items. Provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05 are incorporated.

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) intends to procure a firm-fixed-price contract.  The request is to purchase Leica Biosystems BOND RX stainer. This instrumentation will be used in the pathological evaluation of viruses, bacteria, vaccines, and therapeutics, as well as their interactions, which will facilitate the development of countermeasures against viral and bacterial bio-threat agents.  This is the only stainer combining staining automation and customization options, which addresses the Pathology Division’s need for an automation system to detect viral and bacterial antigens in a variety of different samples (including tissue and cell culture).  Specifically, the BOND RX stainer provides the following unique capabilities that meet Pathology Division needs: 1) this stainer can not only be used for immunohistochemistry staining, but also can be used for RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA); and 2) the BOND RX platform provides researchers with the ability to design their own ideal protocol to meet unique and specific staining needs.  These two capabilities and the applicable technology are not offered by any other competitive commercial stainers, as these are unique to Leica Biosystems.

The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 339113 with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 employees. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document will be posted for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Submit email capabilities statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) to Kimberly Hannan at kimberly.s.hannan.civ@mail.mil. Statements are due no later than 10:00 A.M. EST on 04 June 2021. Late responses will not be reviewed.