The reference combined synopsis/solicitation number is: NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2013-149-CSP.

The combined synopsis/solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).

This combined synopsis / solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 05-66, April 1, 2013.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 Employees. THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), 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 award a single, fixed-priced purchase order for the purchase of a Capillary Electrophoresis System.

Background:
The NIAMS Genomics and Immunity Section's main goal is to unravel the molecular mechanisms driving early development and peripheral activation of B lymphocytes. In particular, they are interested in the processes that assemble, diversify, and provide effector functions to antibody receptors, namely V(D)J recombination, somatic hypermutation, and class switching. Another major interest of the laboratory is to understand how deregulation of these reactions leads to B cell tumorigenesis. To achieve these goals, the laboratory is combining molecular biology, gene targeting, and transgenic techniques, as well as genomic and bioinformatic tools.

The NIAMS Genomics and Immunity Section laboratory requires the following item features and benefits. The item must meet the requirements below.

Equipment Specifications for the Capillary Electrophoresis System:

• Rapid analysis of up to 96 samples without manual intervention
• Safety and convenience with ready-to-use gel cartridges
• Robust results for nucleic acid concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/µl
• Standardized and accurate analysis with a resolution down to 3-5 bp

The system shall also include: required computer and software, installation, training, and 1-year warranty on parts and labor.

This system is needed to support the Cyclone G3 Robot and the TALEN FLASH assembly process for the Casellas Lab. The lab will analyze DNA fragments to ensure they do no interface with subsequent ligations performed during the flash assembly process.

Delivery shall be made after receipt of the purchase order. The delivery location is 10 Center Drive, Room 13C120, Bethesda, MD 20892.

FAR provisions and clauses that apply to this acquisition are:
FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items. The Offer shall include all documents as cited in the clause. An addendum is not applicable to this provision. FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items. FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

The award will be made to the Offeror whose price quote is determined lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA). In addition to a price quote, the Offeror must submit descriptive literature of the product proposed, a commercial price list, warranty provisions, and any other information the Offeror considers relevant to the Government's evaluation of the product proposed. The Government intends to evaluate the quotes and award the purchase order without discussion with Offerors. Therefore, the initial offer should contain the Offerors best terms for a technical and price standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, request product samples or demonstrations, if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any and all offers if such action is deemed necessary. The Government may also waive informalities and minor irregularities in the offers received.

In order to receive an award from NHLBI, contractors must have a valid registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) located at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating, is not applicable to this acquisition.

Offerors shall submit their proposals no later than 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on April 29 2013. The proposal must reference the RFP No. NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2013-149-CSP. All responsible offerors may submit a proposal, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency.

Proposals can be emailed to the Contract Specialist, Caitlin Palmer at [email protected]; Proposals shall not be deemed received by the Government until the quotation is entered into the e-mail address inbox set forth above.

For Additional information, contact Caitlin Palmer, Contract Specialist, electronically at [email protected].

Place of Contract Performance: NIH, 10 Center Drive, Building 10, Room 13C120, Bethesda, MD 20814

Set-aside Status: N/A