FACSLyric Flow Cytometry System

Authority: FAR 6.302-1 – Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements
Contracting Activity:
National Cancer Institute
Proposed Contractor:
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
Description of Requirement:
FACSLyric Flow Cytometry System
Justification for Sole Source:
NCI intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract to BD Biosciences pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. BD Biosciences is the original manufacturer and exclusive source for the BD FACSLyric Flow Cytometer package, including its proprietary hardware, firmware, software, quality assurance materials, and factory-supported installation. The complete system is designed as an integrated platform and cannot be assembled from equivalent components supplied by other manufacturers. The FACSLyric system is supported by BD FACSuite™ software and integrates with BD automation products, quality control reagents, and workflow solutions to provide standardized, reproducible operation. 
The requested package includes proprietary components that are available only from BD Biosciences, including:
•    BD FACSLyric flow cytometer hardware. 
•    BD FACSuite software and associated licenses. 
•    Manufacturer-developed quality control and calibration procedures. 
•    Factory installation, instrument qualification, and user training. 
•    Manufacturer warranty, technical support, and software updates. 
No third-party vendor is authorized to manufacture or supply an equivalent BD FACSLyric package or provide the proprietary software, firmware, and system integration required for initial installation and validation. Substituting equipment from another manufacturer would require procurement of an entirely different analytical platform, redevelopment of laboratory workflows, retraining of personnel, and revalidation of experimental methods and quality control procedures. These changes would increase costs, delay implementation, and introduce unnecessary technical risk. 
Selection of another manufacturer's flow cytometer would not constitute an equivalent replacement because differences in optical configuration, detector design, software architecture, assay compatibility, and data acquisition workflows would require substantial method redevelopment and validation before producing comparable results.
Notice to Interested Parties
This notice is not a request for competitive quotations or proposals. However, any responsible source, including small businesses, 8(a) firms, HUBZone small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs), women-owned small businesses (WOSBs), veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs), and small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs), may submit a capability statement demonstrating its ability to satisfy the Government's requirement.
Capability statements will be evaluated solely to determine whether a competitive procurement should be conducted. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the Government's discretion.
Anticipated Award
The Government anticipates making an award approximately five (5) calendar days after the closing date of this notice unless the Government determines that another responsible source is capable of satisfying the Government's requirements.
Capability statements must be submitted via email to haunp@mail.nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EDT on August 7, 2026.