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-RML-2084054 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) 2021-06 July 12, 2021.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325414, Biological Product Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1250 employees. The requirement is being competed full and open with a brand name or equal restriction.  The small business set aside is dissolved for this requirement.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has a requirement for

Brand Name Or Equal Requirements:

Manufacturer: https://www.sartorius.com/en

Catalog#18-1105 Sample dilution buffer for kinetics assay, 50mL, 10X concentration, contains Kathon – Qty 80

Catalog#18-5013 ProA BioSensors  - Qty 8

Catalog#18-5076  384 well tilted bottom Plate – Qty 12

Catalog#MSPP-18-5084 Biosensor Protein G – Qty 4

shipping date      15-Sep      15-Dec    15-Mar    15-Jul

18-1105                20              20           20           20

18-5013               2                2              2              2

18-5076               3                3              3              3

MSPP-18-2084    1                1               1             1

Quote submissions must include the following:

Shipping/Delivery charges

Place of Manufacture for each item.

If an alternate item is offered, it must be explained in the quote how it meets all the following conditions:

• Must be tested and proven to be compatible with the onsite Octet Platform.
• The biosensors must be made to the exact specifications of size, optical clarity, length, material, and biological function in order to successfully integrate with the Octet machine and produce scientifically reliable data. Please provide documentation to support this.

Delivery: NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814

The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition:

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

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

FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

(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)

52.204–26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation

(OCT 2020) *** Must complete representation if attached to this solicitation- see attachment 52.204-26

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 (JULY 2021)

*The applicable subparagraphs of FAR52.212-5 are included in the attachment to this posting.

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

FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)

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

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

52.252-2 -- Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:  http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm

52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal.

As prescribed in 11.107(a), insert the following provision:

Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999)

      (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

      (b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-

           (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

           (2) Clearly identify the item by-

                (i) Brand name, if any; and

                (ii) Make or model number;

           (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and

           (4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.

      (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

      (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

(End of provision)

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/far/loadmainre.html & http: //www.hhs.gov/regulation/index.html or, upon request, either by telephone or fax.

Submission shall be received not later than September 6th, 2021 @ 1:00 EST

Offers may be e-mailed to Janna Weber (E-Mail/ [email protected]). Offers shall include RFQ number in the subject line (RFQ-RML-2084054). Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f)

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 Janna Weber @ [email protected].