The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of the NHLBI, DIR, Center of Human Immunology (CHI) intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole sources basis and award a purchase order for the Upgrade of the single Color platform GeneTitan to the Gene Titan Multi-Channel System to Affymetrix, Inc, Santa Clara, CA. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.

CHI is undertaking a major new effort to characterize human immune response using multiple novel high throughput technologies. One key aspect of this effort is to analyze the gene expression and regulation. We have been using the single color platform GeneTitan and its reagents for performing this kind of research for years. However, the GeneTitan instrument we have at CHI is single color fluorescent scanner which does not have the capability for four color SNP detection using Exiome platform. In addition, Affymetrix will no longer continue the service of the existing single color GeneTitan instrument.
The GeneTitan® Multi-Channel (MC) Instrument is a bench-top instrument that automates array processing from target hybridization to data generation. By combining a hybridization oven, fluidics processing, and state-of-the art imaging device, the GeneTitan MC Instrument manages all processing and plate transfers to provide a fully hands-free workflow. This completely integrated instrument maximizes data reproducibility and laboratory productivity by minimizing user intervention.

The basis for the sole source determination is based upon the fact that GeneTitan Multi-Channel Instrument is sold only through Affymetrix, Inc..

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) as set forth under FAR Part 13.106-1 (b) and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirements.

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this requirement is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 500 employees.

This Pre-Solicitation/Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This announcement constitutes the only notice; proposals are not being request and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The determination by the Government to award a contract on a sole source noncompetitive basis for the upgrade of the single color platform GeneTitan to the Gene Titan Multi-Channel System
to Affymetrix, Inc. Santa Clara, CA is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any information received as a result of this Pre-Solicitation/Notice of Intent will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct any future competitive procurement.

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability for any future competitive procurement by responding to this notice in writing, no later than August 15, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement. All responses must reference this Pre-Solicitation/Notice of Intent number NHLBI-CSB-HL-2013-240-RRJ and may be submitted electronically to Robin Jeffries, Contracting Officer at [email protected] or by mail to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6122, Bethesda, MD 20892-7902, Attention: Robin Jeffries, Contracting Officer.