The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) located on the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD intends to issue a requirement for an isohermal titration calorimeter.

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; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number, HU0001-09-Q-0700, is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ). It will be the responsibility of the Contractor to monitor Federal Business Opportunities, http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ for the issuance of any changes/updates to the solicitation. This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation and incorporates all provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-29. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing; Size: 500 employees.

Direct any communications, questions or inquiries in writing to Kali Shelton, Contract Specialist, at Directorate of Contracting, Rm A1040C, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 or via email to [email protected].

Quote Format:

CLIN                Description
0001 Isothermal titration calorimeter (Qty of 1): $ ____ each

Delivery and Acceptance Location, and FOB Point, Destination:

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Loading Dock
Bethesda, MD 20814-4799

Description of Use:
The isothermal titration calorimeter will be used to directly measure heat evolved or absorbed in liquid samples normally as a result of injecting precise amounts of reactants. The sample and a buffer reference solution are enclosed in an adiabatic jacket. During an experiment the reference cell is heated by a very small constant power, the reference offset. The temperature difference between the two cells is constantly measured and a proportional power is increased or reduced to the sample cell by the cell feedback system to keep the temperature difference very small. A signal proportional to that cell feedback power is called CFB, and with the instrument temperature and time, constitutes the instrument's relevant raw data.

Specific and immediate applications of the isothermal titration calorimetry:
I. Characterize the molecular interactions proposed to use ITC to fully characterize the thermodynamics of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions that are implicated in the biological function of various biomolecules. In particular, interactions mediated by virion infectivity factor (Vif), which include those with RNA and cellular proteins.

II. To quantify the binding of substrates for substrate binding characteristics.

Minimum Specifications:

For biological applications where volume and concentration are limited, we require an instrument with superior sensitivity and minimal sample requirements. Specifically, a system capable of handling 40 µL or less of titrant and the capability of delivering injection volumes as low as 0.1 uL is required. Due to large numbers of samples, we also require the ability to upgrade to an automated system than can handle 100-200 samples a day. Since our users will have varied backgrounds in data fitting, we also require data analysis software allowing for selectable binding models, automated calibration procedures and standardized calibration report generators.

***No refurbished parts***

Evaluation Factors:
The government will award a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer, conforming to this announcement, will be most advantageous to the government; prices and other factors considered, e.g. quality and delivery schedule. Offerors must provide specifications and/or literature documentation.

Requirements:

1) To be eligible for contract award, a contractor must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. For instructions on registering with the CCR, please see the CCR website at http://www.ccr.gov.

2) All offerors are required to submit a completed copy of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, with their offer. This document can be found at http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/oa/oa52-212-3.pdf.

The following provisions and clauses, which may be viewed at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/, may apply to this contract:

52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items
52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items
52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items
52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items
52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items; applicable clauses contained within:
   52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government
   52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns
   52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns
   52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation
   52.222-3, Convict Labor
   52.222-19, Child Labor -- Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies
   52.222-21, Prohibition Of Segregated Facilities
   52.222-26, Equal Opportunity
   52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans
   52.222-36, Affirmative Action For Workers With Disabilities
   52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans
   52.222-39, Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees
   52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons
   52.225-3, Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act
   52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases
   52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--Central Contractor Registration
52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference, Fill ins are as follows:
     www.arnet.gov
     www.acq.osd.mil
252.204-7004 Alternate A, Central Contractor Registration
252.212-7001 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Applicable to Defense Acquisitions of Commercial Items; applicable clauses contained within:
   252.225-7001 Buying American Act and Balance of Payments Program
252.225-7002 Qualifying Country Sources As Subcontractors
252.225-7021 Trade Agreements

Deadlines:
All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Direct any communications, questions or inquiries in writing to Kali Shelton, Contract Specialist, at Directorate of Contracting, Rm A1040C, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 or via email to [email protected]. Hand deliveries will not be accepted. All responses are due by 22 December 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard time. The submitter should confirm receipt of submissions.