Replacement equipment/components for two existing autoclave machines in use at the BSL4 laboratory

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal.  The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Brewster Creek Controls, LLC to procure replacement equipment/components for two existing autoclave machines in use at the BSL4 laboratory at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, MT 

Sole source justification: The steam sterilizers located in RML’s Biosafety Level (BSL) 4 facilities are at risk of failure due to obsolete controls components and outdated technology.  RML requires in situ upgrades to automated control systems on two (2) steam sterilizers located in the BSL-4 maximum containment laboratories. Brewster Controls is uniquely qualified to be awarded a sole sourcing contract for providing and installing automated controls to NIH/NIAID on the RML campus for installation and use in the BSL-4 facility. Brewster Controls has designed and successfully installed automated controls on numerous other steam sterilizers at RML’s BSL-4 facility and these systems are to be replicated for this requirement in terms of codes, space, mechanical and electrical systems engineering. Using an alternative vendor would result in additional cost and time delays as not only are steam sterilizers specific to the proposed control systems, but surrounding areas will be impacted by the varying operating needs of biosafety equipment produced by other vendors.  Redesign and evaluations would need to be acted on and not limited to the following aspects: mechanical, electrical, fire protection codes, biosafety, human life safety, animal welfare and verification the equipment meets the needs of 
RML campus scientific requirements. 

A sole source procurement will result in an expedited schedule for critical research to move forward. The steam sterilizers are a critical equipment for the entire maximum containment laboratory operation, and they must be kept in consistent and reliable operation to support lab research and to maintain compliance with CDC Select Agent requirements.  This order includes services that will maximize the BSL-4 sterilization equipment lifespan by improving efficiency, control costs and boost the return on investment. 

IV.    Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (SELECT ONE) 

☒    41 USC 3304(a)(1) and FAR Part 6.302-1: Only one responsible source/Brand Name

Brewster Creek Controls is able to provide remote support through a gateway device that they provide and maintain a subscription for. This device allows us to provide a secure connection to the controls at our discretion to help with remote program revisions or troubleshooting if an onsite visit is not possible.

Steam sterilizers are an essential and critical part of the decontamination and sterilization process performed in biological research laboratories and veterinary facilities. The BSL-4 operation has extremely specialized and heightened requirements due to the potentially hazardous environment.  Special sterilization requirements are heavily regulated and enforced to prevent the potential spread of pathogens and other contaminants. The steam sterilizers present at the BSL-4 spaces are physically incorporated into the maximum containment laboratory containment barrier.  They are also integrated into the engineering control system and critical controls must be properly designed to support the stringent safety and security requirements for the BSL-4 programs. 
 Brewster is uniquely qualified to be awarded a sole sourcing contract for providing control system inspection and upgrade services to NIH/NIAID.  Most control system components on the steam sterilizers are proprietary products.  

Place of Performance: NIH/RML, 903 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT  59840, United States.  FOB: Destination

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  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-25-2259405 to Diana Rohlman at diana.rohlman@nih.gov by 12:00pm EST May 12, 2025. 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.