Purchase of Brand Name Maxwell RSC Instrument, or equal

Title Purchase of Brand Name Maxwell RSC Instrument, or equal. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and under the authority to use simplified procedures for commercial requirements as provided in FAR 13.5. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation: No. N02CP66012-63 includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR FAC 2005-89 (August 15, 2016). Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. Objective The purpose of this requirement is to purchase a next-generation instrument for the recovery of DNA and RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. This purchase will augment the NCI Surgical Pathology Unit of the Laboratory of Pathology in its research and the immunohistochemistry section in its diagnostic testing services. Background The Laboratory of Pathology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is an integral component of the research and clinical community at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal is to be a globally recognized center of excellence in disease research, clinical diagnostics, and pathology education. The mission of the Laboratory of Pathology is to achieve the highest level of quality in research, diagnostics, and education. The research mission of the NCI and the NIH by: - investigating the biology and genetics of cancer and other diseases - developing and applying leading edge technology to diagnostic pathology - providing collaborative support for clinical research protocols. A great majority of surgical pathology projects utilize formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues. Extraordinary progress in genome sequencing technologies (the development of next-generation sequencing platforms) has enabled researchers and clinicians to probe human cancer genomes and analyze their complexities. Next generation sequencing requires both high quality and high quantity of DNA and RNA templates, because the evaluation of low-concentration samples often generates false results. The extraction of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissues employing standard extraction procedures yields a low quality and a low quantity of nucleic acids. The new generation nucleic acid extraction instrument, such as Maxwell RSC, offers a solution to these technical limitations. Extracted nucleic acids are used for molecular genetic studies on human cancer, to increase understanding of molecular pathogenesis, to develop information translatable into daily diagnosis, and to help to develop new treatment options. Examples of tumors NCI is studying include gastrointestinal stromal tumors and their genetic progression mechanisms (our long-term interest), somatic genetics of other sarcomas and selected common cancers, especially colorectal carcinoma and mesothelioma. Many of the studies are collaborative within the NCI/NIH, and there are collaborative projects to help others in similar studies. Salient Characteristics: The following specifications, or equivalent, are required: - Processor should be avoiding problems of clog, drip, splashing or aerosol frequently occurring in liquid handler and greatly reducing malfunction and contamination risk - Purify DNA or RNA from a wide range of sample types including formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues - Use mineral oil to remove paraffin from the formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues - Heat elution to improve yields - In average, yield of nucleic acids should be at least 10-20ng/uL from formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples - Enrich DNA and RNA samples as longer, better preserved molecules - Fully automated processing of 1 to 16 sample per instrument purification run - Utilization of a low elution volume (LEV) format for sample processing allowing for maximum nucleic acid concentration - Sanitization by UV radiation - Compact and Lightweight - One-year warranty - On-site training Delivery Contractor(s) shall deliver and install the item within 60 days after award to: NIH/NCI Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The Contractor that receives the award will be provided with the complete mailing address and point of contact. The contractor must notify the NCI Technical Point of Contact to schedule the delivery and installation date and time. Payment Payment will be made after satisfactory delivery, installation, and acceptance of equipment. PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The following Federal Acquisition Regulation and Health & Human Services Acquisition Regulation Provisions/Clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and/or http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/. FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2015) FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2015) FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY 2015) FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAR 2016). The following FAR clauses cited in paragraph (b) of the clause at FAR 52.212-5 are also applicable to this acquisition: FAR Clause 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards. FAR Clause 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. FAR Clause 52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns. FAR Clause 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation. FAR Clause 52.222-3 Convict Labor. FAR Clause 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies FAR Clause 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities. FAR Clause 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity. FAR Clause 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities FAR Clause 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving. FAR Clause 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases FAR Clause 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management. FAR Clause 52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels. 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 modifications 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. The award decision will be based on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) determination. Award will be made on all or none basis. A technically acceptable quote is one that meets the salient characteristics, and meets the delivery and installation requirements. Quotations must be received in the NCI-OA contracting office by 2:00 PM ET on September 21, 2016. Please refer to solicitation number N02CP66012-63 on all correspondence. No collect calls will be accepted. Quotations shall be emailed to Seena Ninan, Contracting Officer at seena.ninan@nih.gov. All questions shall be in writing and may be addressed to the aforementioned individual noted above and shall be received by 11:00 AM ET on September 20, 2016. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management through sam.gov and have complete Representations and Certifications at sam.gov or provide a copy to the aforementioned individual prior to award.