This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and solicitation for commercial Items,” as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotes are being requested. The Solicitation number is RFQ-NIAID-2072703 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ).

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-05, Effective 03/10/2021. 

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard size of 1,000 employees.

This requirement is not set-aside for small business.

This is Brand-name requirement.

Background and description of requirement:

The VEU section of Laboratory of Virology (LV) executes non-human primate experiments to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in protecting against viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 and Lassa fever. These studies are essential to provide requisite data supporting the progression of promising vaccine candidates to testing in human clinical trials. As part of our evaluations of vaccine performance in non-human primates, we conduct profiling of a wide array of cytokines present in samples collected at multiple timepoints after vaccination and virus infection. The multiplex detection of cytokines in non-human primate samples requires the use of highly sensitive, specialized kits and efficient modes of detection.

For a single study we need over 300 wells in order to individually assay all animals across all sampling timepoints in duplicates. We use the V-PLEX NHP Cytokine 24-Plex Kit for our studies as it will enable us to measure levels of 24 different cytokines, which are important to conduct a holistic evaluation of vaccine performance. The V-PLEX kit enables detection at significantly high levels of sensitivity and to the lower limits of detection for nearly all cytokines <0.5 pg/mL.

These items are used For the measurement of cytokine responses in serum and cell culture supernatants derived from cynomolgus macaque samples after immunization against or infection with Lassa virus during CEPI funded vaccine studies.

Item Requirements:

Brand: Meso Scale Discovery

QTY 2

Item: V-Plex NHP Cytokine 24-Plex Kit (5 plate)

Cat #K15058D-2

Place of Delivery: NIAID/RML, 903 S 4th Hamilton, MT 59840

Delivery Date:

30 days ARO

*Include your DUNS number on quote

*Include response to FAR 52.204-26 attachment and return with quote

*Include response to FAR 52.204-24 if applicable

*If an alternate item is offered, it must be accompanied with verification from Meso Scale Discovery that it is compatible with the MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 electrochemiluminescence reader.

The government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order to the responsible contractor as a result of this RFQ that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchase order award will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable.

The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Oct 2020)

FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020)

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (Jun 2020)

FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Feb 2021)

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://www.sam.gov/ in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items (Please ensure 52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015) is updated in your SAM record)

FAR 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements – Representation (Jan 2017)

The following FAR contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

FAR 52-212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (Jan 2021)

FAR 52.203-19 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (Jan 2017)

FAR 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020)

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013)

FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (Dec 2014)

HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (Dec 2015)

By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov).

Copies of the above-referenced provisions and clauses are available from http://www.acquisition.gov & http: //www.hhs.gov/regulation/index.html or, upon request, either by telephone or fax.

Offers may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to Ms. Skye Duffner, (E-Mail/ [email protected] 406-802-6092). Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f) (Jun 2020)

All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency. 

Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to Ms. Skye Duffner at [email protected].