Renewal Maintenance Service Agreement for Becton Dickinson (BD) Flow Cytometers

This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.101(a)(1) requiring the dissemination of information regarding proposed contract actions.  This is a Notice of Intent to award a sole source, firm-fixed price purchase order under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b ), as implemented by FAR 13.501(a) - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Service Will Satisfy Agency Requirements and is not a request for competitive quote.  This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Becton, Dickinson and Company, d.b.a. BD Biosciences (BD), 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, CA 92131.

The purpose of this acquisition is to obtain a twelve (12) month renewal of maintenance services  for Becton Dickinson (BD) Flow Cytometers, various lasers, and accessories to support the Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB).  The LISB has multiple flow cytometers that are utilized essentially all day, every day. Investigators use the Flow machines for cell analysis and sorting, and it is an integral part of multiple sections within LISB.  These systems are essential for furthering the capabilities of the LISB. 

If the machines are put out of action due to a lack of maintenance or mechanical failure, the ability of the investigators in the LISB to conduct research and provide clinical support will be severely handicap, therefore ensuring that the equipment is within constant working order is essential. These machines are complex with multiple lasers that need a highly trained engineer to maintain and repair. 

The renewal of these maintenance services will guarantee that downtime of any instrument is kept to a minimum, and since replacing parts to these instruments is expensive, a service contract will help save the Government money and protect our investment.

See the attached Statement of Work for more details on the equipment to be covered.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is NAICS – 811210 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, which has a size standard of $34.0 Million.

Place of Performance or Delivery:  Bethesda, MD 20892

Period of Performance: April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026

All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (Subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-2158093) by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard time on March 21, 2025, to Linda Smith, Linda.smith2@nih.gov.  All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. 

This will be the only notice of the Government’s intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy this requirement.  The Government plans to award a contract for this requirement within 30 days of this notice. While this synopsis does not constitute a solicitation, interested vendors may identify their interest and capability to satisfy this requirement.  The Government understands that Becton, Dickinson and Company, d.b.a. BD Biosciences (BD) is the only vendor who can provide the requested preventative maintenance services on the specified equipment as shown in the attached Bill of Materials and SOW.  Firms that believe they can provide the capability required to fully meet the Government's requirement may submit a capabilities statement, including past performance, in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this notice.  Such documentation shall be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit offers on NOI-NIAID-25-221093.

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for any 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. For additional information or to submit responses, please contact Linda Smith, Contract Specialist at Linda.smith2@nih.gov.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Statement of Work (SOW)