Notice of Intent to Sole-Source: Preventative Maintenance Service of Illumina Next-Seq 550

Description of Notice:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Cancer Genetics Branch (CGB), Genomics core requires preventative maintenance services for a government owned equipment.

The CGB is providing multiple genomics services to advance cancer research. Investigating genetics and epigenetics alterations and their effects on the development and biology of cancer represents one of the most important venues of current cancer research. Using Next Generation Sequencing the core is able to provide necessary support for the studies of DNA/promoter interactions, gene expression, methylation, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), deletions, insertions and genomic rearrangements.

This equipment is manufactured by Illumina, Inc ("Illumina"). Illumina is the only known service provider for the scientific equipment to be serviced under the contract. Illumina is the only provider of service by factory trained engineers, and the only provider of OEM replacement parts. It is critical for the research community that the equipment mentioned above is calibrated accurately and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications

Therefore, the Government has determined that procuring these maintenance services directly from the manufacturer is in the best interests of the Government and will be the most optimal solution based on cost, performance, and capabilities.

Details regarding the specifications for this acquisition can be found in Attachment 1 – Draft Statement of Work.

The response close date of this notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(a)(1). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6.  

This notice is not a request for competitive quotation; however, if any interested party, especially small business believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. 

Responses must be received in the contracting office by the deadline stated in this notice.  All responses and questions must be submitted via email to Renee Jones-Chuang, contract specialist at renee.jones-chuang@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV and have Representations and Certifications filled out.

Responses should include both the STATEMENT OF CAPABILITY and BUSINESS SIZE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS information as explained below. This notice is to assist with determining sources only. If a solicitation is issued it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement.

Requested Information:

(1) STATEMENT OF CAPABILITY: Submit a brief description [ten (10) pages or less] that includes product specifications. Include past experience with performing this type of service for Government (Federal or State) agencies, or for a private medical facility. Please indicate your address.

(2) BUSINESS SIZE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS: (a) Indicate whether your business is large or small (b) If small, indicate if your firm qualifies as a small, emerging business, or small disadvantaged business (c) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (d) Indicate if your firm is a certified Hub-zone firm (e) Indicate if your firm is a woman-owned or operated business (f) Indicate if your firm is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)(g) Include the DUNS number of your firm. (h) State whether your firm is registered with SAM System for Award Management www.sam.gov/. If not, please NOTE: any future solicitation can only be awarded to a contractor who is registered in SAM.