66 -- Metafer Slide Scanning System for Microscopy Lab

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Experimental Immunology Branch (EIB) plans to enter into a sole source procurement for Metafer Slide Scanning System from Meta Systems, 24 Church Street, Waterstown, MA 02472. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 ? Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.5 to use simplified procedures for commercial acquisitions. Meta Systems is the only source known to the NCI researcher that has an automated imaging system capable of recognizing and automatically capturing high resolution images of metaphase spreads and interphase FISH and dynamic data networking allowing real-time transfer and review of image data which will meet their research needs as detailed. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the requirement as detailed they may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI researcher to determine if the party can perform this requirement. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the contracting office by 2:00 pm EDT, on September 7, 2007. Faxed and emailed capability statements are NOT authorized. All questions must be in writing and must be emailed to Debbie Moore at dm170b@nih.gov or faxed (301) 402-4513. It is the vendor?s responsibility to call (301) 402-4509 and verify that questions were received. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award from the NCI contractors must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA). Please refer to http://orca.bpn.gov In addition; contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Part I: Background information and Description of Acquisition Title: Slide Scanning System for Microscopy Lab Purpose/Brief History: The Experimental Immunology Branch Microscopy and Digital Imaging Facility provides basic research support to members of the EIB as well as to investigators throughout CCR, NCI. In order to implement state-of-the-art capabilities in the EIB Flow Cytometry facility, the EIB requires an automated imaging system capable of recognizing and automatically capturing high resolution images of metaphase spreads and interphase FISH. Dynamic data networking allowing real-time transfer and review of image data, the system must include: 1) motorized microcope with bright-field capacity, fluorescence capacity, 5-color FISH filter set; 2) FISH and metaphase image capture and analysis software; and 3) Computer, workstation, LCD monitor, CCD camera, 8-position motorized stage, calibration slide, metaphase finding software, autocapture software, spot counting software, COMET Scan module. PART II: Facts and reasons to Justify Other than Full and Open Competition Statutory authority FAR 13.106(b)(1) b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization). (2) For sole source acquisitions of commercial items in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold conducted pursuant to subpart 13.5, the requirements at 13.501(a) apply. Justification: MetaSystems is the only supplier offering a completely integrated software scanning solution which addresses the EIB?s needs. The EIB requires a system which will allow fully automated metaphase finding, interphase spot counting, rare cell detection, micronuclei detection, dicentric chromosome detection, autocapturing, MFish, and MBand functionality all on one platform. Furthermore, the EIB requires the use of MetaSystem?s proprietary MFish and Mband technology which cannot be found on any other system available. MetaSystems manufactures this technology and distributes these probes only to customers as their FISH Imaging System Isis is required to interpret the results. MetaSystems provides an integrated networking capability which allows images acquired on the scanner to be remotely accessed and processed on satellite workstations anywhere on our network in ?real time.? MetaSystems uniquely satisfy our particular needs and requirements. These specifications cannot be matched by any of the other systems available.