gentleMACS™ Octo Dissociators with Heaters or Equal

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture ), as well as (2) the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). 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: The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), whose mission it is to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. The Cell Technologies departments in both the ASPIRE Lab and the Stem Cell Technologies Labs are in need of this equipment. Nociceptors are differentiated in sphere forms that need to be dissociated for further analysis and applications. The equipment is needed for sphere dissociation protocol performed routinely for internal and external collaborations. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire two (2) of gentleMACS™ Octo Dissociators with Heaters or Equal that meet all salient characteristics.