Sole Source Notice - Supply of Biological Materials (Enzymes and Reagents)

NAICS Code: 325414 -- Biological Product Agency/Office: National Institutes of Health Location: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Title: Sole Source Notice - Supply of Biological Materials (Enzymes and Reagents) THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis and award a contract to Life Technologies Corporation (5781 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad CA 92008-7321) for the supply of biological materials (enzymes and reagents). This acquisition is being conducted using the procedures under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.5, "Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items" in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901. The FAR as supplemented by the Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) will be used to evaluate the quote and award this requirement. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 325414 -- Biological Product (except Diagnostic with a size standard of 1,250 employees. A Single Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract type is anticipated. The anticipated program ceiling for the acquisition is $4,000,000.00 for 5 years. The NIEHS is one (1) of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Division of Intramural Research (DIR) conducts inhouse research and training and its scientists are involved in studies that contribute to the understanding of: (1) Biological and chemical processes, (2) Role of environmental agents in human disease and dysfunction, (3) Underlying mechanisms of environmentally-associated diseases, and (4) Intervention and prevention studies to reduce the effects of exposures to environmental agents. This requirement supports the laboratories and branched under the DIR by providing enzymes and reagents to support continued research across the programs that comprise the Division. The current contract, HHSN273201400004I, with Life Technologies Corporation expired on October 31, 2019 and substitution of any of the current products for different products would likely introduce new variables into the experimental results, consequently negating the validity of an entire research project. It is well known that the ability to reproduce data is a scientific standard necessary for publication. In this case, what applies to the current reagents is the control variable, also known as the constant variable. As the name suggests, it is the variable that needs to remain the same. There is currently more than one control or constant variable in this scientific experiment which the scientist intends to observe as much as the dependent variable. If the control variables aren't held constant, the scientist will not know if the independent variable caused the change in the dependent variable or if the change was due to the control variable. As such, it is imperative that everything reproduced in this case, is done in the lab using the EXACT same reagents. This is NOT a solicitation for quotations, quotation abstracts, or a request for competitive quotations; however, all responses received within 3 day from the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Responses must clearly and thoroughly defend any claims or assertions that attempt to refute the science above. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Information received on this notice must eliminate the government's concerns and addressed how the items can be provided without jeopardizing the science behind the on-going projects. If no affirmative responses are received within 3 days of this notice to determine whether a qualified source is more advantageous to the Government, a contract will be issued to Life Technologies Corporation. There is no solicitation package available. The Contracting Officer for this requirement is Ms. Onyenauch Washington. All questions or concerns relating to this notice shall be submitted by e-mail to uche.washington@nih.gov