Brand Name or Equal gentleMACS Octo Tissue Dissociator

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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Submit quotes on NIAID-RFQ19-1975056. This solicitation is a request for quotes (RFQ). The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) FAC 2019-03, effective July 12, 2019. The associated 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. Background and Laboratory Needs: The mission of the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) is to conduct research that facilitates the development of effective vaccines for human disease. The Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory (VPL) specifically strives to better understand basic aspects of viral pathogenesis and apply that knowledge toward development of safer and more effective vaccines. One of the essential methods for vaccine development is assessment of immunogenicity via flow cytometry of mouse tissue and cells. The VPL requires the gentleMACS(trademarked) Octo Dissociator with 8 Heaters, or equal. See Bill of Materials (BOM) attachment for specifications and quantity. The gentleMACS(trademarked) Octo Dissociator with 8 Heaters is a benchtop instrument for the automated dissociation or homogenization of up to eight samples. The requested instrument will allow the lab to increase throughput of flow cytometry mouse assays by giving those staff performing the assays hands-off automated workflow options. Currently, VPL uses three (3) standard gentleMACS(trademarked) Dissociators with gentleMACS(trademarked) C tubes. Additionally, this instrument will be used for the homogenization of mouse cells and tissue for flow cytometry staining and analysis, an essential method for vaccine development. The proposed purchase is for Brand Name or Equal products. Quoter must be an authorized reseller of the gentleMACS(trademarked) Octo Dissociator. To be considered for award, quoters of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must meet the following criteria for the salient characteristics: 1. 8-sample automated tissue homogenization instrument with heaters i. Instrument must be able to process eight (8) samples either individually, or simultaneously in a single run. ii. Must have heaters to allow for enzyme incubation 2. Must be compatible with gentleMACS(trademarked) C tubes. 3. Must be 465mm x 285mm x 185 mm (L x W x H) in size, or smaller (small enough to fit in Class II Biosafety cabinet) 4. Must have a touch screen and enable users to provide user-defined programs which can be used to dissociate or homogenize all types of tissue including, mouse or human tumor, mouse or rate neonatal heart, neural tissue, mouse spleen, lung, lamina propria, muscle, epidermis, or liver, mouse or human skin. 5. Must process different tissue types simultaneously 6. Must have the ability to add new samples at any time, even if other dissociations are in progress. FOB Point Shall be Destination: Vaccine Research Center 40 Convent Drive Bethesda, MD 20814. Period of Performance/Delivery Time: 60 days ARO The Government intends to award without discussions, but reserves the right to conduct discussions should it be deemed in the Government's best interest. 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. NIAID will evaluate quotes to determine the most advantageous to the government. NIAID will make that determination based on technical acceptability, delivery, and price. The Government's objective is to obtain the highest technical solution considered necessary to achieve the project objectives with a reasonable price. NIAID will evaluate for delivery and price only those quotes which are rated technically acceptable. In the event quotes are evaluated as technically equal, delivery and price will become major considerations in selecting the successful Vendor. FAR provisions and clauses are attached. Quoter must also include the following provision in their quote and check the appropriate response: 52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015) (a) Definitions. "Inverted domestic corporation" and "subsidiary" have the meaning given in the clause of this contract entitled Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (52.209-10). (b) Government agencies are not permitted to use appropriated (or otherwise made available) funds for contracts with either an inverted domestic corporation, or a subsidiary of an inverted domestic corporation, unless the exception at 9.108-2(b) applies or the requirement is waived in accordance with the procedures at 9.108-4. (c) Representation. By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that- (check one) ____(1) It is not an inverted domestic corporation: and ____(2) It is not a subsidiary of an inverted domestic corporation The Government requests responses from qualified sources capable of providing the requirement as outlined above. If providing an equal product, please supply descriptive data for evaluation purposes to determine the validity of how it is an EQUAL. The following FAR provision apply to this solicitation and is incorporated by reference: 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 modification 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). All quotes shall include: price(s) (unit price, extended price, total price); manufacturing country of origin of the products; documentation demonstrating quoter is either the manufacturer or authorized distributor/reseller of the product(s); confirmation of required delivery timeframe; point of contact: name, phone number & email; DUNS #; Cage Code; business size under NAIC 334516; and payment terms. Each response must clearly indicate the capability of the offeror to meet all specifications and requirements. The Government may 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 may result in the Offeror's response being considered non-responsive and will therefore be eliminated from further consideration and award. By submission of a quote, the quoter 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). This is an open-market combined synopsis/solicitation for laboratory supplies/equipment as defined herein. The government intends to award a purchase order as a result of this combined synopsis/solicitation that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. To facilitate the award process all quotes should include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion or addition." OR "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:" (Quoter shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s).) Submission shall be received not later than previously stated. Offers shall be e-mailed to julie.yun@nih.gov Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). SPECIAL NOTICE TO OFFERORS Offerors 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 offer, you will be consenting to disclosure of your offer to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.