National Cancer Institute (NCI), Surgery Branch (SB) plans to procure an Infors Multitron Orbital Shaking Incubators from Infors USA, Inc., of 9070 Junction Drive, Suite D, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions.  The response close date of this notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(a)(1). The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1,000 employees.

The Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LBMB) investigates basic mechanisms underlying cell growth, division, differentiation and homeostasis, with a focus on the biology of chromosomes and the cell nucleus. LBMB fosters an interdisciplinary approach in which the methods of biophysics, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology are used in an interactive and collaborative research environment to solve problems of fundamental importance for understanding the molecular processes underlying cancer biology. The LBMB relies on common core equipment, including shaking incubators that are used by all labs to culture yeast and bacteria. Two of our shaking incubator units have broken and cannot be repaired due to the lack of circuit boards that are now obsolete for these older units. This has caused our shaking incubator resources to become limiting. As we can anticipate other obsolete units may also break down and be unrepairable, it is becoming an urgent requirement to replace the broken units to avoid any severe impact on the ability to conduct research. Due to the age of the units and the lack of available parts, as well as the growing needs of the LBMB, we are seeking to purchase replacement units. Acquisition of replacement units will ensure that LBMB laboratories can continue to access a sufficient number of shaking incubators to conduct research.

Laboratories within LBMB investigate many aspects of chromosome biology, including heterochromatin formation, chromosome segregation, regulation of genome stability, and maintenance of telomeres. Many of the experiments conducted by LBMB researchers involve incubation of liquid yeast or bacterial cultures in orbital shaking, temperature-controlled units. To meet this need, LBMB uses common core resources consisting of Infors Multitron orbital stacking incubators. These shakers include a mixture of older Multitron I and II units, many of which are no longer supported due to the lack of parts for repair. The replacement of broken units will allow labs within LBMB to continue important ongoing projects. They will be widely utilized in their research efforts, ultimately benefiting the government through the support of basic research that answers fundamental questions in chromosome biology.

The LBMB uses orbital stacking incubators. A mixture of older, obsolete units is interspersed among newer units that are maintained under a current service agreement. The new shaker must be able to be integrated with existing shakers, therefore, the compatibility with existing equipment is required.

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

• 3 stack system with top unit capable of 350rpm at working height of 1.3m (speed ranges 20-400rpm). This range allows multiple protocols to be accomplished, including cell fixation that requires very slowest rotational speed through the vigourous high speed agitation required for cell suspension in 96 well plate formats.
• Dimensions of W 1070 x D 880 x H 550 mm. These dimensions (along with overall design of units) allow an interior space that can accommodate many flasks, which is an important feature for incubators that are shared among multiple labs.
• Top cooling capable of maintaining 12 degrees below room temperature. This feature is absolutely required for conducting experiments at 18 degrees Celsius, a common temperature used by lab members to investigate transcriptional profiles of cells experiencing “cold” environmental temperatures. This is a fundamental aspect of our studies, and cold temperature incubation is performed frequently.
• Automatic restart, removable trays, and stainless-steel bearings to withstand heavy loads
• Capability to maintain gradient-free uniform temperature distribution
• Large shaking tray capacity capable of holding 6 large 5L Erlenmeyer flask cultures
• Stacking compatibility to allow integration with current government owned InforsHT shaking to allow reconfiguration with changing infrastructure needs. The common core “shared” equipment already in place consists of InforsHT units, with which the new units must be compatible. Model and serial numbers of a selection of the equipment are listed below (one unit from a stack is provided):

• Multitron II s/n 78070704AT2
• Multitron II s/n 60070201MX2
• Multitron II s/n 60020201MX2

LBMB has a need to acquire additional shaking incubators to be used for culturing yeast and bacteria. The replacement shakers will allow basic experiments directed toward answering fundamental questions relevant to chromosome biology. Such studies will benefit government research into cancer and provide possible avenues for treatment. Listed below are the required features that are provided exclusively on the Infors Multitron shaking incubators, and that fulfill LBMB requirements. The combination of these features is not available on any other known system.

1. 1. Largest shaking tray capacity of any incubator system, required for the routine culturing of six large 4L cultures at a time
   2. Compatible with current laboratory infrastructure (able to be integrated through stacking or assembly together with existing Infors shaking incubators). This “stacking” feature is needed to preserve limited shared floor space. As units age or break down, units can be re-arranged and re-integrated as needed.
   3. Infors USA, Inc is the sole manufacturer and distributor of this equipment in the United States, thus these shakers can only be obtained through Infors, USA, Inc.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small business believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement.  Responses must be received in the contracting office by 12:00 PM ET, on July 20, 2021.  All responses and questions must be via email to Miguel Diaz, Contracting Officer at [email protected].  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV and have Representations and Certifications filled out. Reference: 75N91021Q00145 on all correspondence.