SOURCES SOUGHT: Metabolic Analyzer

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition.  It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.  Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes.  No award will be made as a result of this notice.  The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.  This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:  A better understanding of the metabolic changes occurring in aging under normal or diseased condition can help improve/ accelerate the discovery of pharmacological and environmental interventions able to slow or arrest the body decline. The Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer supports the non-invasive real time measurement of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration and /or fatty acid oxidation in live cells, tissue fragments and organoids. The Seahorse Technology supports a wide range of applications within the IRP biomedical research including oncology, infectious disease, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurology, respiratory and stem cell research.

Purpose and Objectives: The Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB) is in need of a Metabolic Analyzer for live metabolic phenotyping.

Salient Characteristics:

• Simultaneously measures oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of living cells/tissues.
• Non-invasive measurement of glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration and fatty oxidation requires no addition of dyes, labels or reporters.
• Cells/microplate remain viable following an Agilent Seahorse XF assay and may be used for another assay.
• OCR and ECAR rate are calculated in 2-5 minutes using data acquired every 14 seconds.
• Measurements may be repeated indefinitely to measure kinetic responses with rates reported every 5-8 min.
• Measures adherent as well as suspension cells, organoids, or tissue (i.e pancreatic islets).
• Up to four test compounds may be added automatically to each well during the assay.
• Measurements may be performed before and after each compound is added.
• Temperature controlled measurement chamber is maintained at 37°C ± 0.5°C.
• Optical sensors do not consume oxygen during the measurement and are not in contact with the cells, nor are affected by compound or intracellular dye fluorescence.
• Oxygen sensor peak absorption = 530 nm (green) and Oxygen peak emission = 650 nm (red).
• pH sensor peak absorption = 470 nm (blue) and pH sensor peak emission = 530 nm (green).
• Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) used as the monochromatic excitation source at very low excitation energy densities to prevent detectable levels of photobleaching.
• Data display shows OCR and ECAR data simultaneously.
• Software provides integrated data analysis, and data can easily be exported into MS® Excel for transfer into other statistical analysis programs.

Quantity:

(1) Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer (64-Bit) Hardware (PART# S7800B)

Including: Wave SW software, XF Imaging and Normalization, shipping, professional installation and specialized training.

Anticipated delivery: 21 Days ARO

Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement clearly identifying their ability to provide the requested service.

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein.  A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit.  The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist.  Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Rashiid Cummins at e-mail address rashiid.cummins@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before May 31st, 2021, 3:00 pm, Eastern Time.

“Disclaimer and Important Notes:  This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the 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. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”