Mass cytometric analysis of human pluripotent stem cells
(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
(ii) The solicitation number is 75N95019Q00238 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).
This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is NOT expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold at $250,000.
THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) COMBINED SYNOPSIS SOLICITATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME).
The Office of Acquisition (OA) at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), on behalf of the Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation (DPI) branch at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (including brand-name) to Fluidigm Corporation, located at 7000 Shoreline Court Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94080. Contractor will perform services, using Maxpar Conjugation Services, for biochemical analysis on existing, government-ownded, scientific instruments, including the Helios and Hyperion systems, which are manufactured by Fluidigm Corporation.
This acquisition is conducted as non-competitive for a commercial item or service and is conducted pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).
(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2019-05, with effective date August 13, 2019.
(iv) The associated NAICS code is 541380-Testing Laboratories with associated small business size standard of 15 Million USD.
(v) This requirement is for the following general requirements: Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work described herein. The Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL) within the DPI is a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to addressing the scientific and technological challenges in the iPSC field. Specifically, SCTL aims to develop a renewable supply of human cell-based models focusing on new patient-derived iPSC lines that give rise to specialized, functional nerve cells that are relevant for opioid misuse and addiction, and pain. SCTL scientists will utilize the Maxpar Conjugation services to continue project milestones and study the expression of markers of interest on the single-cell level in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) and their differentiated progeny, such as nociceptor cells, neurons, astrocytes, glial cells, trophectodermal/trophoblast cells and early progenitors committed to ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal lineages.
Specifically, the Contractor will be be required to perform the analyses with the "Maxpar Antibody Conjugation Service" on 160 antibodies to enable single-cell researchers to dissect intracellular networks, using stable isotopes not normally found in biological systems to label antibodies and detect and quantify up to around 40 different parameters per cell. Contractor will be responsible for: receipt of antibodies, perform conjugation of Lanthanide metals to the antibodies, perform biochemical quality confirmation using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and shipping of the antibodies back to the SCTL. Lanthanide metals are conjugated to antibodies using polymers in accordacne with the following steps:
1. preload the polymer with lanthanide
2. perform buffer exchange and partially reduce the antibody
3. purify the lanthanide-loaded polymer
4. purify the partially reduced antibody
5. retrieve the purified partially reduced antibody and lanthanide-loaded polymer
6. conjugate the antibody with lanthanide-loaded polymer
7. wash the metal-conjugated antibody
8. determine yield
9. recover and store the metal-conjugated antibody
(vi) The salient characteristics of project requirements for this procurement, deemed essential features needing to be achieved, include the following:
• The ability to detect and quantify up to around 40 channels simultaneously in a single cell results in exponentially greater information.
• Simultaneous phenotypic and functional assays lead to substantial improvement in the understanding of the heterogeneity of cell states.
• Removing the limitations of spectral overlap of fluorescence and the dysfunction of fluorophores inside cells allows the targeting of more intracellular proteins at a time.
• Barcoding enables multiplexed combinatorial multiparameter screens.
• Achieving a high-resolution proteomic snapshot or profile on the single-cell level distinguishes that cell from all others, revealing the heterogeneity of the sample.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Government will not furnish property, facilities, workspace, computers, or other equipment. Contractor will not use federal facilities. Government will have the responsibility to review and approve the final report. The SCTL will be responsible for: making list of markers of interest; designing multiple panels of any number of and up to 37 antibodies, each to carry a different Lanthanide metal (this allows simultaneous detection without signal overlap); choosing suitable antibodies from vendors; purchasing the antibodies; sending a sufficient amount of each antibody (up to 200 µg) to the contractor for conjugation sending the antibodies in batches according to the panel designs of choice.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables shall consist of providing results for the testing described herein. Contractor will provide monthly updates on the progress of the project, or more often as appropriate. Contractor will provide the data analysis and report for the contents of this statement of work.
TRAVEL
No travel cost will be reimbursed.
CONTRACTOR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - KEY PERSONNEL
N/A
DATA RIGHTS
NCATS shall have unlimited rights to and ownership of all data including reports. In addition, it includes any additional deliverables required by contract change. The definition of "unlimited rights" is contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 27.401, "Definitions." FAR clause 52.227-14, "Rights in Data-General," is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this contract/order. Any data schemas will be the exclusive right of the government.
Publications and Publicity: The Contractor shall not write or publish articles of data produced as a result of the requirements of the SOW.
SECTION 508 - ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS
No EIT is anticipated to be generated as a result of this requirement.
(vii) Period of Performance: The contractor is expected to deliver results within 12 months of the effective date of contract award and batch of material to analyze. The Government will send the contractor the material to synthesize after the effective date of contract award.
A Fixed-Price type of Purchase Order award not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold is anticipated for any contract resulting from this requirement. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2019.
(viii) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html
(End of provision)
The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:
• FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018)
• FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Jul 2016)
• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Oct 2018)
• FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Oct 2018)
The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. 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 these addresses:
https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html
(End of clause)
The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:
• FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)
• FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Jul 2016)
• FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Oct 2018).
The provisions of FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (May 2019) is applicable to this solicitation and inlcuded by reference.
52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003)
52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation With Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2018)
52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015)
52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016)
52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014)
52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Jan 2019)
52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Aug 2011)
52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008)
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management (Oct 2018)
The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated as a separate attachment:
• NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (2/2014)
• FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2019)
(ix) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Evaluation will be performed in accordance to FAR 13.106-2 "Evaluation of quotations or offers" and may utilize comparative evaluations using price and the following factors as criteria.
a) Technical Capability:
Ability of the Offeror to understand the SOW and requirements, adequately describe the proposed approach, identify problems and potential challenges, and demonstrate how all contract requirements will be met. Offerors shall provide evidence of sufficient planning to show that the work will be accomplished and how it will be accomplished within time and other constraints specified in the SOW or as applicable. The Offeror shall utilize all available resources to include controlling the execution of assigned activities, tasks, sub-tasks, monitoring progress, status reporting, resolving critical issues and/or mitigating risks and fulfilling all delivery requirements.
b) Price; and
c) Past performance [see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)]
Offerors shall show documented evidence of personnel experience related to the subject requirement. Specific and specialized relevant experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education of proposed personnel shall be clearly documented. The offeror must submit with their proposal a list of the last two (2) contracts completed during the past three (3) years and / or contracts awarded currently in process that are similar in nature to the work scope. Contracts listed may include those entered into by the Federal Government, agencies of state and local governments and commercial concerns. Newly formed entities without prior contracts should list contracts and subcontracts as required above for such key personnel. For each contract, subcontract, or reference include:
(i) Name of Contracting Organization;
(ii) Contract Number (for subcontracts, provide the prime and subcontract numbers);
(iii) Contract Type;
(iv) Total Contract Value;
(v) Description of Requirement;
(vi) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
Price Quote: The Vendor shall submit a Fixed-price quote for the period of performance including unit pricing, total price proposed and all other relevant information and documentation that the item(s) quoted meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in this solicitation.
A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.
(x) The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer.
(xi) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
(xii) The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated in full text.
(xiii) The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices: There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition.
(xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.
(xv) Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount.
The Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov and the offeror representation in FAR Provision 52.204-24, which is attached, MUST be completed and submitted with any quotation or response to this RFQ.
All quotations must be received no later than the closing date and time specified in the solicitation. The solicitation number must be referenced on all correspondence submitted for this requirement. Responses must be submitted electronically to Hunter Tjugum at Hunter.Tjugum@nih.gov. Fax responses will not be accepted.
(xvi) The name and telephone number of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation: Hunter Tjugum, Contract Specialist, 301-827-5304, hunter.tjugum@nih.gov.
Hunter A Tjugum, Contract Specialist, Phone 3018275304, Email hunter.tjugum@nih.gov
