SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- Laser capture microdissection (LCM) instrumentation
- Notice Date
- 7/22/2016
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SBSS-2016-570
- Archive Date
- 8/16/2016
- Point of Contact
- Hunter A. Tjugum, Phone: 301 435 8780
- E-Mail Address
-
hunter.tjugum@nih.gov
(hunter.tjugum@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- INTRODUCTION This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a small business social-economic set-aside, competitive or non-competitive method is possible, and to determine the availability of all qualified small business companies technically capable of meeting the Government's requirement. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. NORTH AMERICAN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE The NAICS code applicable to this requirement is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with associated business size standard 1000 employees. BACKGROUND The National Institute of Aging (NIA) is one of 27 Institute Centers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) committed to making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. The Laboratory of Genetics (LG) is contained within the Intramural Research Program (IRP) at the NIA and is driven to understand the genetic and genomic determinants of aging. LG investigates the genes and gene expression programs that govern the physiologic decline of aging (e.g. reduced strength, menopause, decreased ability to respond to nutrient imbalances, diminished immune function, etc) and the increased pathologies of the elderly (e.g. neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, cancer, etc). The RNA Regulation Section is contained within the LG and is driven by the long-term goal to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate gene expression in aging physiology and pathology. This Section focuses on age-related changes in gene expression controlled at the post-transcriptional level by RNA-binding proteins and noncoding RNAs (both microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs). The central hypothesis of the program is that post-transcriptional gene regulation governs the normal physiologic decline seen with advancing age, as well as the aberrant gene expression patterns that underlie age-associated disease. This hypothesis is investigated by focusing on the following research areas: cellular senescence, age-related changes in energy metabolism, carcinogenesis, and neurodegeneration. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES This Small Business Sources Sought notice seeks to determine eligible sources with the capability to provide an instrument for Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM). LCM is an automated sample preparation technique that enables isolation of specific cells from a mixed population under microscopic visualization. This technique of isolating a pure sample from a heterogeneous mixture allows for more efficient and accurate results with downstream microgenomics applications. The isolation and characterization of specific cells from a heterogeneous cell population is important for the analysis of gene expression because the differences between various cell types present within normal tissues have significant effects on gene expression analysis. LCM allows one to obtain answers in a single cell that may otherwise have been missed in a mixed cell population. The LCM technique can be used to isolate just a few cells or even a single cell from tissue samples or other heterogenous cellular mixtures, depending on the application. The cells can be chosen on the basis of their morphology, immunohistochemical phenotype, or even their genotype, using in situ hybridization methods. The RNA Regulation Section conducts research interested in RNA subpopulations. With information resulting from samples, it is often a concern that larger populations are contaminating, or interfering with localized RNA, thus masking the actual role of these important molecules. This potential requirement is to obtain an LCM utilizing instrument that can more accurately identify these populations without the distractions of outlying cells. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Contractors submitting a response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice shall possess the ability to achieve the essential requirements described in this potential requirement. Specifically, Offerors to this Small Business Sources Sought notice shall document evidence of being able to provide an instrument utilizing the technique of laser capture microscopy in accordance with the essential requirements described herein. DELIVERY: Offerors to this notice shall indicate warranty and shipping terms and shall indicate the soonest estimated time of delivery after receipt of an any order to a government facility located at 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21224. CAPABILITY STATEMENT / INFORMATION SOUGHT Interested parties are expected to review this notice to familiarize itself with the requirements of this product or service. Failure to do so will be at your firm's own risk. Respondents must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in this announcement; quantity; shipping, handling, and/or installation instructions; and/or any special delivery conditions after receipt of an order. Respondents that believe that they are manufacturers or authorized re-sellers of the equipment specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the product requirement. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist identified in this notice. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. Respondents must reference announcement number HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SBSS-2016-570 on all correspondence related to this Small Business Sources Sought notice. The response must be submitted to Hunter Tjugum, at hunter.tjugum@nih.gov prior to the closing date specified in this announcement. The response must be received on or before the closing date specified in this announcement. CONCLUDING STATEMENTS 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, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. 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(s).
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