FACSVerse Maintenance

INTRODUCTION THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REQUESTED. This is a pre-solicitation / notice of intent synopsis for a sole source noncompetitive award to Becton, Dickinson and Company (doing business as BD Biosciences) for FACSVerse Maintenance. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Acquisitions (OA) on behalf of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD Biosciences), 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, CA 95131-1812, to provide FACSVerse Maintenance. The following systems for this service contract renewal are: BD Biosciences (BDB) FACSVerse, (Serial #: Z6511550046) with; Universal Loader (Serial #: Z6511560056) for 12-Months; FACSVerse, (Serial #: Z6511550042) with Universal Loader (Serial #: Z6511560087) for 12 Months. BACKGROUND NIAMS Flow Cytometry Service provides efficient acquisition and analysis systems that facilitate the research projects of many NIAMS investigators. Purchased by NIAMS in September 2011, the two FACSVerses are the newest, state-of-the-art, flow cytometers (fitted with universal high throughput loaders) in the NIAMS Flow Cytometry Service. Using three, high-powered laser light sources (violet, blue, red), the FACSVerse can simultaneously detect up to 8 different fluorochromes and two light scatter parameters. The Universal Loader (UL) allows the use of multiwall plates as well as 30 or 40 tube racks to automatically feed the samples for acquisition. The UL is an important timesaving tool that can free the investigator for other tasks. The innovative FACSuite software, which controls the FACSVerse, enables the FCS staff to perform daily performance quality control and establish a default compensation matrix for spectral emission overlap- a unique advantage. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance is March 01, 2013 through February 28, 2014, there are no option periods. The contract type will be a firm fixed-priced purchase order. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The two FACSVerse (with Universal Loader) cytometers are fast becoming the most utilized by NIAMS investigators. Proper maintenance and service is required to assure reliable, uninterrupted operation of the FACSVerse -with Universal Loader, an instrument integral to achieving the NIAMS mission. Contractor Requirements: BD FACSVerse instrument for labor, travel expenses and parts (excluding consumables), for the following: - - 1 Preventive Maintenance Inspections to be performed during a twelve-month period, including 1 PM Kits. - Software Revisions released during the Agreement term. - Unlimited service visits, Monday-Friday, excluding BD Biosciences holidays - Unlimited telephone support for instruments, reagents and applications will be provided at no additional charge. - 24-hour guaranteed response to a request for emergency on-site service (Monday through Friday, excluding BD Biosciences holidays). Workstation printers are not covered Universal Loader for labor, travel expenses, and parts (excluding consumable items) for the following: Unlimited service visits, Monday-Friday, excluding BD Biosciences holidays. Unlimited telephone support for instruments, reagents and applications will be provided at no additional charge. JUSTIFICATION BD Biosciences is the sole manufacturer and provider of maintenance service for the BD FACSVerse Flow Cytometry system. BD Biosciences does not certify third party organizations to perform service on its instrumentation in the United States, and as the original manufacturer can ensure the supply of spare or replacement parts, which are unique to the BD FACSVerse flow Cytometry system. When an instrument is covered by a BD Biosciences Maintenance Service Agreement, BD Biosciences is the only provider that can supply: instrument software revisions along with preventive maintenance inspections, technical telephone consulting and unlimited on-site visits. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) as set forth under FAR Part 13.106-1 (b) (1), Soliciting from a single source not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and the Small Business Size Standard is 500 Employees. The resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-65 (January 29, 2013). Any information received as a result of this pre-solicitation / notice of intent will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct any future competitive procurements. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish the interested parties bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If you have any questions, please submit to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisition, COAC Services Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6137, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Caitlin Palmer. Responses may be submitted electronically to caitlin.palmer@nih.gov. Faxes will not be accepted.