This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 12.6 “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items”, as applicable, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotations (quotes) are being requested. The solicitation number is RFQ-NIAID-24-2228449 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).
This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Subpart 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2024-06 Effective August 29, 2024.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,000 in employees. The Product or Service Code (PSC) is 6640- Laboratory Equipment and Supplies. This requirement is not set-aside for small business.
The Government anticipates making a single award Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order to the responsible vendor as a result of this solicitation. The awarded purchase order will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. By submitting a quote in response to this RFQ, the vendor confirms acceptance that the government terms and conditions will prevail in the award.
By submitting a quote, the vendor acknowledges they are required to be registered, active and visible in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at the time of quote submission. The vendor must maintain this registration status until the time of award, throughout the performance of the contract, and until final payment is made for any contract resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov).
STATEMENT OF NEED
The proposed purchase is for Brand Name or Equal products/services.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Virology Laboratory (VL), Structural Biology Core (SBC) is a seeking a transmission Electron Microscope to help develop antibody therapeutics and to support the design of vaccines and antivirals carried out by the Vaccine Research Center (VRC).
Specifically, NIAID, VRC, is seeking a transmission electron microscope (Brand Name or Equal) to meet the specifications and perform the applications listed below. The brand name and part numbers for the products/services are detailed in the attached Bill of Materials (BOM). To be considered for award, vendors quoting “equal” products/services, including “equal” products/services of the brand-name manufacturer, must meet the following minimum requirements/specifications:
Need for one (1) transmission electron microscope. This instrument should include the following:
The microscope must have:
-digital TEM that does not have binoculars or a film chamber.
-a next-generation high-speed CMOS viewing/navigation screen camera.
-a 120 kV maximum acceleration voltage, with guaranteed operation starting from 20 kV variable in 100 V preset steps.
-0.20 nm lattice resolution and advanced optimization
- a magnification range from x50-x600,000.
- "Dual Mode" compound objective lens; high contrast and high resolution (HC/HR) modes, which are exchangeable by one selection in the software.
- a Pneumatic Gun Lift and automated venting procedure for filament exchange.
- an Integrated high vacuum gauge and gun valve.
- an Independent free lens control.
- a Includes External LAN control.
- an oil-free pre-pumping system and TEM adapter kit.
- an Eucentric high performance stage 5-axis goniometer for ultra-stable operation and tilting.
- a Microprocessor-controlled, differential turbo molecular pump evacuation system.
- automatic brightness, focus, and drift correction.
- advanced image navigation and storage of positions, tilt angles, and orientations.
- a Microtrace function indicating examined and unexamined areas of the specimen.
- EMIP software to automatically archive all saved images and imaging data for ease of
access/analysis.
- an EMIP-3D tomography system and FBP reconstruction method.
- Windows 10 operating system.
- one set of operator's hardware and software manuals.
- a LaB6 Filament Assembly
- Three Specimen Tilt Holder
- an Pnuematic In/Out Control for Objective Aperture.
- a Motorized Z-axis
- The package must include Air-cooled Water Recirculator LX2-A2 (208/230V - 60Hz, Cooling
Capacity: 3,900 watts, Water Pump Capacity: 3.7 GPM (14.0 LPM), Water Temp. Stability: +/-0.1 degree C, Reservoir volume: 1.3 Gallons (4.9 Liters)
- must include High-Resolution, 15 MP sCMOS camera (Mounting position: Direct, Sensor Size [pixels]: 5056 x 2960, Phosphor Pixel Size [um]: 12.75 x 12.75, - Active Pickup Region [mm]: 65 x 37, Digitization: 16 bit, Optical Coupling: Custom high performance lens, Lens Magnification: 0.34, Lens NA image: 0.32, Lens MTF at Nyquist [%]: >70, Framerate for Display Image [fps]: 30, Shutter: Rolling, Environment: Electronics & cooling outside of vacuum, Cooling: Water, Exposure Time [ms]: 1 - 10,000, Certifications: UL, CE , RoHS, Computer OS: Windows 10 Professional 64 bit) Installation of the system and camera, including basic operational training.
-Advanced operator training provided at the customer's on
the instrument. This training in addition to the basic operations training provided at time of
2-day on-site Advanced Applications Training.
QUOTING REQUIREMENT
All elements below must be included in the quote for your quote to be considered responsive:
• If not brand name, documentation to prove how the “of equal” model/part meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation.
• Country of Origin
• Place of Manufacture
• Estimated date of delivery
• Estimated shipping fees
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
Delivery of equipment is needed as soon as possible and required within 30 days after receipt of award-estimated October 29, 2024. Installation and all services must be completed by March 25, 2024.
SHIPPING/DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
Delivery location is FOB Destination: 40 Convent Drive Bethesda, MD 20814. Prior to shipment, the contractor shall coordinate delivery arrangement with the Government point of contact designated in the award. All equipment delivered shall contain a Packing Slip.
INSTRUCTIONS
All interested vendors are invited to submit a quote for the requirement as outlined above. Each quote must include the following details:
1. Price(s) (unit price, extended price, total price)
2. Shipping fees
3. Manufacturing country of origin of the products, including components
4. Documentation demonstrating vendor is either the manufacturer or authorized distributor/reseller of the product(s)
5. Estimated date of delivery
6. Point of contact: name, phone number & email
7. Unique Entity ID (UEI) and Cage Code from active SAM.gov registration
8. Business size under NAICS 334516
9. Payment terms
Each response must clearly indicate the capability of the vendor to meet all specifications and requirements. The Government will evaluate only those quotes that fully meet the requirements as outlined above and respond to the solicitation instructions and requirements. Failure to furnish a full and complete quote as instructed will result in the Quoter’s response being considered non-responsive and will therefore be eliminated from further consideration and award.
If providing an equal product(s)/services(s), please supply descriptive data for evaluation purposes to determine the validity of how it is an EQUAL. The following FAR provision applies to this a solicitation FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999):
(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.
(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-
(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;
(2) Clearly identify the item by-
(i) Brand name, if any; and
(ii) Make or model number;
(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and
(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.
(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.
(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.
(End of provision)
Quotes are due by 12:00 PM EST on September 23, 2024. Quotes must be emailed to Hershea Vance, Contract Specialist, at hershea.vance@nih.gov. Late quotes will not be considered. All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency. Any questions or concerns regarding this combined synopsis/solicitation should be emailed by September 20, 2024, at 11:30 am to hershea.vance@nih.gov.
EVALUATION
NIAID will evaluate quotes to determine the best value to the government. NIAID will make that determination based on technical acceptability, past performance, and price. NIAID will evaluate past performance and price only for those quotes which are rated as technically acceptable. In the event quotes are evaluated as technically equal, past performance, and price will become major considerations in selecting the successful Quoter.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO QUOTERS
Quoters are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your quote, you will be consenting to disclosure of your quote to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.
ELECTRONIC INVOICING
The successful vendor may submit an invoice once a shipment is delivered. NIAID will only accept invoices for completed services and units that have been delivered to NIAID.
NIH is using a phased transition approach from the NIH Office of Financial Management (OFM) Electronic Invoice Submission instructions to the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). For contractors that have transitioned to IPP, the Contractor must submit invoices to the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) at https://www.ipp.gov. For contractors that have not transitioned to IPP, the Contractor shall submit invoices to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Office of Financial Management (OFM) via email at invoicing@nih.gov with a copy to the approving official until the Contractor has been notified of its transition to IPP.
PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES
FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)
This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquistion.gov/
FAR 52.203-18 - Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements – Representations (Jan 2017)
FAR 52.204-7 - System for Award Management (Oct 2018)
FAR 52.204-16 - Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020)
FAR 52.204-24 - Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021)
FAR 52.204-26 - Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. (Oct 2020)
FAR 52.209-7 - Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018)
FAR 52.211-6 - Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999)
FAR 52.212-1 - Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sep 2023)
FAR 52.212-3 - Offeror Representations and Certification – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024)
FAR 52.252-2 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)
This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquistion.gov/
FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)
FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020)
FAR 52.204-21 - Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (Nov 2021)
FAR 52.212-4 - Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023)
By reference the Department of Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) provisions and clauses that are applicable to this requirement. Copies are available from http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/:
Clauses
HHSAR 352.203-70 Anti-lobbying (December 18, 2015)
HHSAR 352.208-70 Printing and Duplication (December 18, 2015)
HHSAR 352.222-70 Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015)
By full text the Department of Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR):
HHSAR 352.232-71 - Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (February 2, 2022)
HHSAR 352.239-78 – Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Notice (Feb 2024)(DEVIATION)
HHSAR 352.239-79 – Information and Communication Technology Accessibility (Feb 2024) (DEVIATION)
The following additional clauses are applicable to this requirement and provided in full text as Attachments:
FAR 52.212-5 - Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Status or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024)
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Bill of Materials (BOM)
Attachment 2 - Full Text Clauses
