Expansion of HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), intends to award a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to HighRes Biosolutions for the expansion of its proprietary HighRes Automated Plate Handling System. This expansion is intended to enhance the existing system’s capacity and improve management of specialized compound libraries used in high-throughput screening and translational research. The contract includes the provision of proprietary hardware, software, and integration services such as custom robotic table systems, automated incubators, plate stackers, lid handling components, orientation devices, related software, installation, commissioning, and user acceptance testing. The estimated contract value is approximately $660,655, with a 12-month performance period starting from the award date anticipated in August 2026. Due to the proprietary nature of the original system and the unique technical expertise and components provided exclusively by HighRes Biosolutions, the government has determined that there is only one responsible source capable of fulfilling these requirements without risking system incompatibility or warranty issues. This notice serves to inform interested parties and invite capability statements from vendors who believe they can meet the stringent requirements for compatibility and integration; however, it is not a solicitation for competitive proposals. Responses must be concise, submitted electronically by June 24, 2026, and include detailed evidence of authorization, technical capability, and relevant past performance. The place of performance is NCATS headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, and all communications should be directed to the designated NIH points of contact.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Bethesda, MD, 20892, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Notice of Intent to Sole Source
SAM.gov Draft
Title: Notice of Intent to Sole Source – Expansion of HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS
Notice ID: NIH-NOI-26-PCA-NCATS-06129
Notice Type: Special Notice / Notice of Intent to Sole Source
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
NAICS Code: 339113 – Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
Set-Aside Status: No set-aside
Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price
Estimated Award Date: August 14, 2026
Response Date: 6/24/2026, 11:00am EST
Description
This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source and is not a request for competitive quotations. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract to:
HighRes Biosolutions
102 Cherry Hill Drive
Beverly, MA 01915
United States
for the Expansion of the HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS.
The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.
NCATS currently operates an existing HighRes automated laboratory plate handling system used to support high-throughput screening and translational research workflows. The purpose of this requirement is to expand the installed system to support increased screening capacity and improved management of specialized compound libraries.
The acquisition includes proprietary HighRes hardware, software, and services necessary to integrate additional capacity into the existing platform, including but not limited to:
- HighRes Custom Table System with ACell Robot
- SteriStore D automated incubator
- Plate stackers
- Lid handling components
- Plate orientation devices
- Cellario software/device drivers
- Installation
- Commissioning
- User acceptance testing
The current platform was specifically designed as a proprietary, scalable HighRes system, and any expansion requires direct compatibility with its hardware architecture, control software, and integration framework. HighRes Biosolutions is the original manufacturer and integrator of the installed NCATS system and possesses the unique technical knowledge, proprietary parts, software, and integration capability required to perform this expansion.
Market research determined that while other vendors may offer laboratory automation and robotic plate handling systems, no other source can provide a fully compatible expansion to the existing HighRes platform without substantial risk of incompatibility, system disruption, redesign, reverse engineering, schedule delays, increased cost, and warranty invalidation.
The estimated value of this acquisition is $660,655.85.
This notice is for informational purposes only. However, any responsible source that believes it is capable of meeting the Government’s requirement may submit a capability statement. Capability statements must demonstrate the ability to provide all required proprietary hardware, software, integration, installation, testing, and validation services necessary to expand the existing HighRes system without compromising compatibility, performance, or warranty coverage.
Responses must be submitted in writing via email to the points of contact identified below no later than June 24, 2026 at 11:00am EST.
A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered only for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
Place of Performance
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
9800 Medical Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20850
Period of Performance
12 months from date of award
Instructions to Interested Parties
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement by submitting:
- Company name and address
- UEI number
- Point of contact information
- Business size and socioeconomic status
- Technical capability statement demonstrating ability to provide the required OEM-compatible HighRes system expansion
- Evidence of authorization to provide and integrate proprietary HighRes hardware/software into the existing NCATS system
- Relevant past performance for similar proprietary laboratory automation system expansions
Responses shall be limited to 5 pages and submitted electronically to the points of contact below.
Primary Point of Contact
Linda Smith
linda.smith2@nih.gov
Secondary Point of Contact
Danielle Tines
danielle.tines@nih.gov
Disclaimer
This notice does not constitute a solicitation for offers, proposals, or quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice.