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Contract Opportunity

Introduction

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.

Project Summary

The Electron Microscopy (EM) Unit of the Research Technologies Branch (RTB) provides state-of-the-art technologies to support the ultrastructural imaging needs of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious (NIAID) scientists both in the Bethesda, Maryland, area and at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana. The facility provides sample preparation and analysis ranging from basic to high- resolution structural studies to immuno-localization of selected antigens for various of specimens. Various of methods, protocols, and equipment are employed to accommodate different preparative and imaging needs. Real-time viewing of samples by video image-sharing is available to NIAID users, allowing scientists at distant locations the ability to view samples simultaneously with microscopy staff. To continue supporting the needs of NIAID researchers, the RTB must continue to upgrade and maintain its instrumentation.

The RTB EM Unit supports NIAID investigators with various state-of-the-art microscopy techniques and technologies. The EM Unit’s specialized support and scientific expertise enhance the research efforts of NIAID investigators. The microscopes are heavily used and because these instruments are highly specialized, these electron microscopes must be always maintained in peak operating conditions. To fulfill this need, RTB requires preventive maintenance and service agreements on their Thermo Scientific Krios D3197, Titan Krios G4, and Helios G4 High-resolution scope.

Specifically, RTB is seeking maintenance service for various Thermo Fisher Scientific equipment listed below.

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Serial No. Description:

9930413 Krios G4 (4.1)

9930413.03 X-FEG Unit 300 kV

9930413.04 Ceta 16M Camera 300 kV

9930413.12 Phase Plate Solution

9930413.20 Falcon 4 300 kV

D3197 TEM FEG Titan

D3197.8 Falcon-3EC

D3197.6 Phase Plate Titan

D3197.32 X-FEG unit 300 kV

D3197.33 Orius SC200D 300Kv Cam.

9925420 Helios G4 UX

The service of the Thermo Krios D3197, Titan Krios G4 and Helios G4 equipment must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Full coverage for OEM replacement parts, labor, and travel. Coverage includes all fees associated with repairs (labor and replacement parts for any service or repairs performed.

2. Priority scheduling and onsite response for all repairs during the period of performance. Priority is defined as giving priority scheduling equal to a direct contract and guaranteeing the equivalent manufacturer’s priority onsite response. If you are a third-party service provider, the priority scheduling and/or response time, must be listed in your response. OEM Trained Certified Technicians must be available during normal business hours. If you are a third-party service provider, documentation of OEM trained technicians is required.

3. One (1) Preventive Maintenance Inspections to be performed during a twelve-month period including:

4. 48-hour priority response time for onsite applications support (troubleshooting and repairs)

5. 48-hour priority response time for all emergency repairs and all on site visits

6. Instrument control software and hardware proprietary updates (can occur during scheduled firmware updates upon request, and in conjunction with a scheduled Preventive Maintenance or Corrective Maintenance visit), including software revision. Provide End User License Agreement (EULA) if applicable.

7. Unlimited service visits during normal business days and hours, excluding Federal holidays.

8. Unlimited telephone support for instruments and applications and Remote Technical Support during business hours.

Anticipated Period of Performance

It is anticipated that an award will be made on or about March 1, 2024. The estimate base period of performance is from date of award through February 29, 2025. The period of performance shall be one (1) base year with four (4) one-year option periods.

Capability Statement/Information Sought

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide maintenance service which meets the minimum salient characteristics listed above, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI number

2. Type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Other than Small, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code

3. Identification of any Best-in-Class contract vehicles including Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) (e.g., GSA schedule, NITAAC) they may possess or are aware of that would support this possible requirement. If your organization does not provide the products/services under a GWAC, please identify availability as OPEN MARKET ONLY.

4. Tailored capability statement addressing the capability of the instrument to meet NIAID’s minimum salient characteristics. Capability document shall be no more than six pages. The priority scheduling and/or response time must be provided with your response.

Submission Instructions

Interested businesses who consider themselves qualified to provide the above listed maintenance service for this project are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by January 19, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be emailed to Hershea Vance at hershea.vance@nih.gov.

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 pre-solicitation 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).

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