INSTRUMENTS AND ELECTRONICS
 Instruments & laboratory equipment
NAICS Code:
334 -- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing/334516 -- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Notice Number:
SS-N02RC42553-62
Issued By:
National Cancer Institute (NCI), 
Office of Acquisitions (OA) 
http://www.nci.nih.gov or http://rcb.cancer.gov/rcb-internet/


This Small Business Sources Sought Notice (SBSS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified concerns including 8(a), HUB Zone or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned businesses that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This requirement is assigned North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516 with a size standard of 500 employees is being considered.
As a result of this Sources Sought Notice, the NCI may issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NCI's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.
A portion of NCI's activities are devoted to research intended to identify and characterize mechanisms that initiate and regulate skin inflammation in health and disease in mice and humans. To carry out these studies it is necessary to identify, characterize and ultimately isolate leukocytes (white blood cells) that actively participate in skin inflammation, and then carefully characterize their functional characteristics using a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays. This can be accomplished by identifying combinations of cell surface molecules that are characteristic of cells of interest and using antibodies (alone or in combination) that bind to these molecules in conjunction with either preparative flow cytometry or magnetic bead based approaches (such as that used by the autoMACS). 
The autoMACS Pro Separator, an automated magnetic separation system, was developed to isolate specific sub-populations of cells from larger heterogeneous populations. The system allows for positive selection or depletion of cells and biomolecules without affecting their function or viability. The autoMACS Pro Separator can separate and label up to 6 samples (for positive or negative selection) sequentially without the need of user intervention. Separated material can go directly to culture, flow cytometric sorting or analysis, functional studies, or transplantation without detaching the MicroBeads. MACS Products are ideal for rare event isolation and small sized particles. The autoMACS Pro Separator is extremely flexible allowing users to separate manually labeled samples alongside those that have been automatically labeled. The autolabeling reagents are the same as those used in manual separations so reducing costs by avoiding the purchase of specialized reagents and allowing the easy translation from manual to automated systems. A 2D code reader ("barcode" reader), which is fitted as an integral part of the autoMACS Pro Separator identifies the reagent and programs the instrument accordingly. If desired, the program can be manually adjusted to suit individual protocols.


MACS MicroBead reagents are a colloidal suspension of 50 nm super-paramagnetic nano-particles (iron) coated with polysaccharide. The MicroBeads are directly conjugated to monoclonal antibodies directed against human, non-human primate, mouse, or rat antigens, fluorochromes, isotype specific antibodies, or avidin-biotin molecules. No tetrameric antibody complexes are utilized and cross-linking is avoided.
The autoMACS Pro Separator utilizes a patented column technology. The magnetic field generated by the system's high-energy magnet is even amplified by each of the dual super-paramagnetic column structures. In addition to amplifying the magnetic field, the columns spread the magnetic field into hundreds of micro-gradient fields. This amplified magnetic field gently retains the Micro-Bead bound biomaterial as it flows through the column, thus allowing the researcher to use a minimal amount of antibody bead complexes. With this unique column based system, the amount of MicroBead antibody complexes required for cell separation, typically only occupies part of the target epitopes on a cell thus allowing to restain the cells with fluorochromes recognizing the same epitopes without any loss of intensity. This leaves the remaining epitopes open for normal function or staining with a fluorochrome for analysis. MACS Technology patented columns are optimized in size to bind up to 2x10*8 target cells from up to 4x10*9 total cells.


The equipment must have the following salient characteristics: 
• Barcode reader ("code reader") or touchscreen activated automated cell isolation system with pre-programmed isolation protocols that are utilized by the integrated computer. 
• Sequential separation and labeling of up to six samples without user intervention for both negative and positive selection. 
• Six samples that can consist of both manually and auto labeled cells. 
• Custom cooling sample rack to keep samples cool during the separation process. 
• Reagents that are used for auto-labeling will be the same as used for manual protocols using MACS Reagents. 
• System must use biodegradable 50 nm super-paramagnetic MicroBeads (iron) coated with polysaccharide that form a colloidal suspension. 
• MicroBeads must be able to directly be conjugated to monoclonal antibodies. 
• Have a separation time of 3-10 minutes, depending on the program. 
• Input volume of 100 µl to 50 ml. 
• Automated system cleaning. 
• Patented columns: Dual super-paramagnetic, bio Teflon coated matrix column that are reusable over a two week period or up to 100 separations, whichever comes first. 
• High-gradient magnetic field optimised for cell isolation while maintaining optimal cell viability and function. 
• Sensitivity: Highly pure selection and recoveries of very rare populations, frequencies down to 10*-8 .


Delivery shall be within 90 days from award..


How to Submit a Response:


1. Page Limitations:


Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement not to exceed 10 single sided pages including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc. (single spaced, 12 point font minimum) that clearly details the ability to perform the requirements of the notice described above. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Responses should include a minimum of a one page resume of the individuals meeting the requirements, and up to two pages demonstrating experience over the past two years meeting the requirements of this notice. Statements should also include an indication of current certified small business status; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of your capability statement (preferable placed under the eligible small business concern's name and address). Responses will be reviewed only by NIH personnel and will be held in a confidential manner.


2. Due Date:
3. Delivery Point:
All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the unique specifications described herein. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed to (240) 276-5401 or emailed to Tiffany Kittrell at Tiffany.kittrell@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this 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 have valid registration and certification in the System for Award Management through sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference number SS-N02RC42553-62 on all correspondence.


Disclaimer and Important Notes:


This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, an RFQ may be published in eBuy. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation(s).


Point of Contact:
Inquiries concerning this Notice may be direct to:
Tiffany Kittrell
9609 Medical Center Dr, Room 1E144
Bethesda, MD 20892-9705
Tiffany.Kittrell@nih.gov
Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation.

Contracting Office Address:
Bldg 1050
Frederick, Maryland 21702 
United States 
Primary Point of Contact.:
Tiffany D. Kittrell
Tiffany.kittrell@nih.gov
Phone: 2402765434