This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and solicitation for commercial Items,” as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotes are being requested. The Solicitation number is RFQ-NIAID-1993937 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) FAC 2020-03 and effective 12/13/2019. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1000 employees. This requirement IS NOT set-aside for small business. Background and laboratory needs: The purpose of this acquisition will support The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRD), Vaccine Immunology Program (VIP). The Facilities are located at 9 West Watkins Mill Rd, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The VRC/VIP needs a cell analyzer that produces a large volume of results very quickly. The increase of the demand would be met by a machine that can produce 16 reads at a time. In recent years, the VIP-research group has focused upon in-depth analyses of VRC influenza vaccine trials, specifically the complex immunobiology characterizing the B cells recognizing influenza HA-stem region. For example, from an influenza group 1 H5N1 vaccine trial the VIP-research team have described common immunoglobulin lineages that consistently and reproducibly occur within human populations and are capable of neutralizing group 1 and 2 influenza strains by targeting the HA-stem region. Also, within the VIP reside both the translational and clinical testing laboratories are responsible for the development, implementation and eventual deployment of qualified virus neutralization, humoral and cellular analyses appropriate for prospective licensure of VRC-NIAID vaccines. Brand-name justification: The requested equipment will be used during real-time kinetic interactions of influenza vaccine testing and development. Due to current new demands on productions, the equipment needs to produce high throughput small and large molecule characterization, provide measurement of both weak and tight binding affinities and produce 16 simultaneous reads in as quick a time as possible. *This is a Brand-Name requirement for: QTY 1 Octet Red384 Biomolecular Unit, transfer tool, installation and training. (Please see attached item list.) *Please include your DUNS number *Include response to FAR 52.204-4 attachment and return with quote Place of Delivery: NIH/NIAID, 9 West Watkins Mill Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 FOB: Destination Submission shall be received not later than 12/26/2019, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time The government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order to the responsible contractor as a result of this RFQ that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. The award will be based on the following; price, capability to meet the requirements, delivery and the best value to the government. The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition: 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2019) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (Oct 2018) FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Oct 2018) Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://www.sam.gov/ in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items (Please ensure 52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015) is updated in your SAM record) FAR 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements – Representation (Jan 2017) The following FAR contract clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (Oct 2018) FAR 52-212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (Oct 2019) *The applicable subparagraphs of FAR52.212-5 are included in the attachment to this posting. FAR 52.203-19 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (Jan 2017) FAR 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2019) FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013) FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (Dec 2014) HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (Dec 2015) By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov). Copies of the above-referenced provisions and clauses are available from http://www.acquisition.gov & http: //www.hhs.gov/regulation/index.html or, upon request, either by telephone or fax. Offers may be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to Ms. Skye Duffner, (E-Mail/
[email protected] 406-802-6092). Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f) (Oct 2018) All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency. Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to Ms. Skye Duffner at
[email protected].