Processing, embedding, sectioning, imaging and measurement of kidney tissue at biopsy

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NIHLM2015578 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation /contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-82. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industrial Classification (NAICS) code 611310 with a size standard $25.5M. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Digestive, Diabetes & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has a requirement to procure processing, embedding, sectioning, imaging and measurement of kidney tissue at biopsy.

Earlier this year, NIDDK amended the protocol to recruit for kidney biopsy the 1st degree relatives of study participants who also have type 2 diabetes. We expect to conduct 30 additional kidney biopsies as part of this study, and to ensure that they are processed, imaged, and measured in the same way as the other biopsies, they need to be sent to the same laboratories. To ensure valid comparisons across biopsies, all shall be processed and measured by the same method and in the same laboratories by the same personnel.

The service contract shall for the period Base + 1 option year from date of award.

Tasks to be performed
1. Processing
2. Light microscopy
3. Transmission electron microscopy
4. Measurements by light microscopy
5. Measurements by electron microscopy

The requirement listed is requested to submit a capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502-2(b) whether or not this procurement will be set-aside for any of the programs described above. All respondents are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business. Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide (a) capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough detail, but not to exceed 15 pages, so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the requirements above. Your capability statement, not to exceed 15 pages, should include references.

Responses: E-MAIL will be accepted and can be sent to griffinv@mail.nih.gov

The offeror must include a completed copy of the following provisions: 1) FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial items; 2) FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items. As stated in FAR Clause 52.212-2 (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors will be used equally to evaluate offers: Technical Evaluation, Price, and Past Performance.

Note: Past Performance Information: Vendors must submit a listing of the most recent contracts/awards (minimum of 3) which demonstrate similar work in nature to this Solicitation. Contracts/awards may include those entered with the Federal Government, state and local governments and commercial concerns. Include the following information for each contract or subcontract:

1. Name of Contracting Organization
2. Contract Number (for subcontracts provide the prime contract number and the subcontract number)
3. Contract Type
4. Total Contract Value
5. Description of Requirement
6. Contracting Officer's Name and Telephone Number
7. Program Manager's Name and Telephone Number

3) FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items; 4) FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; 5) FAR Clause 52-212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items - Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions. The Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and the certification of business size shall be included.

The clauses are available in full text at https://www.acquisition.gov

PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification in the System For Award Management (SAM) http://www.sam.gov

Interested vendors capable of providing the Government with the items specified in this synopsis should submit their quotation to the below address. Quotations will be due on or before August 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Offersors shall provide an original and one copy of your quotation. The quotation must reference Solicitation number NIHLM2015578. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Quotations may be submitted electronically to Verne Griffin at griffinv@mail.nih.gov