A--BIOCULTURE SYSTEM-HUMAN PRIMARY CARDIOMYOCYTE CELLS

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) has a requirement for thirty vials of frozen induced pluripotent stem cells each with at least 4.5 million frozen viable human cardiomyocyte cells. NASA ARC has determined that Cellular Dynamic International (CDI) is the only vendor who can provide this requirement. Since mid-2013 NASAs Bioculture System Project science team has been performing all of the laboratory testing and development for culturing human iCell cardiomyocyte cells during an extended period of time in space. CDIs iCardiomyocyte product is unique because it is well characterized and used extensively by the pharma industry in modeling human heart disease in drug testing. NASA ARC intends to purchase the requirement from Cellular Dynamic International on a sole source basis. Since the cell line viability and characteristics vary from vendor to vendor, and lot to lot, it is a science requirement to purchase cells from the same vendor and the same lot that has already been tested by the Bioculture System Project science team in order to achieve consistent results during Mission Verification Tests and Spaceflight. In accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1), Cellular Dynamic International is the only one source reasonably available, and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. 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. Notwithstanding this stated intent, interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on March 3, 2014. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/p ub_library/Omb.html .