SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- Procurement of one (1) Brand Name or Equal Wyatt Technologies DynaPro NanoStar Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Detector
- Notice Date
- 6/28/2021 6:50:43 AM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- NIH National Cancer Institute Rockville MD 20850 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20850
- Solicitation Number
- 75N91021Q00125
- Response Due
- 7/6/2021 6:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 07/21/2021
- Point of Contact
- Adam Hernandez, Phone: 2402765633
- E-Mail Address
-
adam.hernandez@nih.gov
(adam.hernandez@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- SBA Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Description
- 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 small business concerns including 8(a), HUBZone or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business concerns that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract based on 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 American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code should not submit a response to this notice. This requirement is assigned NAICS code 334516 with a size standard of 1,000 employees is being considered. NCI may issue a request for quotation (RFQ) as a result of this Sources Sought Notice. 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. 1.0 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL This requirement is for the procurement of the brand name or equivalent instrument described in Section 4.0. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999) is applicable to this requirement. 2.0 BACKGROUND The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Metabolism (LOM), Chemistry Section have been investigating the mechanism of how chromosomal segregation is regulated and how the basis of this regulation is different between normal and cancer cells. Understanding this fundamental process is one of key questions of deciphering the differences between normal and deregulated cancer cells. To this end, LOM has been focusing on investigating the events critical for regulating the duplication of centrosomes, an intracellular apparatus central for chromosome segregation. As the main microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) of most animal cells, the centrosome plays a key role in the establishment of bipolar spindles. Since determination of the molecular basis of acentrosomal self-assembly will be important to provide new insights into how centrosome contribute to the regulation of cell division processes, LOM plans to investigate the differential mechanisms underlying this event between normal and cancer cells by purifying and characterizing proteins critical for the event. �The requested instrument will be important for detailed characterization of the mechanism governing this event. 2.1 OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this project is to analyze various biochemical and cellular events that govern the processes of centriole duplication, a tightly controlled process which occurs only once per cell division. LOM plans to further investigate how the proteins regulating the function of centrosomes are dynamically assembled and organized during the processes of cell division and proliferation. Understanding these processes will be one of the key events that may help better understand how deregulation of some of these processes lead to improper chromosomal segregation and aneuploidy, the hallmark of cancer. This will be important to fulfill the mission of the NCI in reducing suffering and death from cancer and to steer a drug discovery program. Investigating the characteristics of important regulatory molecules often shed new lights into the mechanisms of how certain intracellular processes are precisely regulated. To gain sufficient knowledge in this event, a system that can be used to determine biophysical properties of a given protein is necessary. Specifically, LOM has been focusing on understanding the biochemical and biophysical nature of large coiled-coil proteins that constitute human centrosomes. These proteins have an unusual character of assembling into a higher molecular weight complex, thus making it difficult to precisely determine each individual protein�s structural and functional states. �Thus, LOM requires a system that allows the following range of protein analyses over the entire range of molar mass, size, and temperature: � Determine biomolecular conformation and oligomerization � Detect and quantify protein aggregation � Study thermal, colloidal and conformational stability of biological drugs � Evaluate colloidal stability with the diffusion interaction parameter, kD and second virial coefficient, A2 � Measuring size and stability of liposomes and emulsions � Detecting compound aggregation � Assessing polymer solubility � Sizing fluorescent quantum dots (with the infrared laser option) 3.0�TYPE OF ORDER This is a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order. 4.0�PRODUCT FEATURES / SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS SPECIAL ORDER REQUIREMENTS: The required DLS shall be compatible with Wyatt Technology�s multiangle light scattering instruments T-rEX and miniDAWN TREOS, which will be operated together. LOM utilizes a Wyatt miniDAWN MALS detector for determination of molar mass in an on-line mode coupled with a size exclusion column, among others. The required DynaPro NanoStar or equivalent instrument shall provide, or be field-upgradeable to provide, remote DLS detection in a Wyatt DAWN, miniDAWN or microDAWN multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detector�s flow cell by means of an optical fiber between the MALS read head and the DLS-SLS detector. The DLS data stream shall be available to Wyatt�s ASTRA� software to acquire DLS data from sample eluting in flowing chromatographic separations. This capability permits efficient utilization of the DLS-SLS detector for both batch (unfractionated) and online (fractionated) analyses [with LOM�s current online instruments from Wyatt]. The DLS-SLS instrument shall provide dynamic light scattering measurements simultaneously with MALS data acquisition. The following product features/characteristics are required: Sample volume and cuvettes � The required instrument shall be capable of measuring as little as 1.25 �L of sample in a quartz cuvette and as little as 4 �L in a disposable cuvette. Due to LOM�s need to perform thermal experiments for understanding protein stability the cuvettes shall incorporate an evaporation reservoir that minimizes evaporation from the sample of interest by filling the space above the sample with solvent vapors. Temperature control - The required instrument shall provide temperature control of the cuvette from at least -15 �C to 150 �C with precision and accuracy of �0.3 �C or better, thermal stability better than 0.01 �C and programmable ramp rates in the range of 0.01 �C to 15 �C per minute. Understanding the temperature at which the macromolecule unfolds, and aggregates is important for examining stability. Simultaneous DLS and SLS - One of LOM�s critical research goals is to understand the oligomeric state of the protein; it�s conformation; and heterogeneity in size. Therefore, the required instrument shall provide dynamic light scattering (DLS) and static light scattering (SLS) measurements simultaneously and independently for this purpose. SLS calibration - The required instrument shall be calibrated for SLS measurements using a fluid such as toluene, commonly available with high quality and repeatability, rather than calibrated against a molar mass standard because the latter technique depends on precise knowledge of concentration and refractive index increment of the standard in each specific solvent. Because of the former calibration method, absolute rather than relative results will be obtained. Measurement range - Hydrodynamic radius by DLS shall cover 0.2 � 2500 nm and molar mass by SLS shall cover 300 � 1,000,000 g/mol. Sensitivity - The required instrument shall support quantifying the hydrodynamic radius of a purified solution of lysozyme at concentrations down to 0.1 mg/mL, with an accuracy of 5% and precision of 2% in both the quartz and disposable cuvettes. Dynamic Range - The required instrument shall provide a linear dynamic range for SLS measurements of at least 5 decades without attenuation of the optical signal to provide maximal accuracy relative to the calibration conditions in determination of molar mass and particle concentration. Correlator - The required instrument shall incorporate a multi-tau correlator with 512 or more bins that performs correlation over a large range of time scales simultaneously for optimal detection of a large range of particle sizes without the need to optimize data acquisition times. Wavelength - The required instrument shall utilize a red laser with wavelength longer than 650 nm to avoid exciting fluorescence which can overwhelm the DLS detector. Laser power and attenuation - The required instrument shall allow the user to reduce its laser intensity by 1% - 90%, either from the front panel display or from the control software. It shall also be capable of further attenuating the light intensity reaching the detector, automatically, by at least four orders of magnitude. These capabilities eliminate detector saturation due to very high concentrations of very large macromolecules or nanoparticles and protect the detector from exposure to damaging light levels. Connection to MALS instrument - The required instrument shall provide, or be field-upgradeable to provide, remote DLS detection. Laser Monitors - The required instrument shall be equipped with a rear laser monitor that measures the intensity of the laser beam prior to entering the cuvette. to calculate any necessary compensation to the scattering signal for laser source intensity fluctuations and drift related to ambient temperature changes, laser device aging, dust, or any other mechanism. This rear monitor ensures consistent molar mass measurements over long and short periods. The instrument shall be equipped with a forward laser monitor that measures the intensity of the laser beam exiting the cuvette, to assess the presence or formation of bubbles and for other diagnostic purposes. SLS-only operation - The required instrument shall provide a laser driver that quenches mode-hopping proclivities of the diode-laser light source when measuring only SLS. Display - The required instrument shall have an onboard computer with a touch screen display to allow one to visualize rapidly any of the detector outputs including all count rate, autocorrelation function, etc. as well as critical status indicators such as temperature. Such a display allows one to confirm the system is operating properly and to diagnose problems. Upgrades - The required instrument shall be capable of user-installed upgrades with new firmware releases. DLS Compatibility Kit � The required instrument shall include a DLS compatibility kit designed to be used with the DynaPro NanoStar and Mobium such that the DLS correlator within each detector can be connected externally to a MALS instrument. Validation � The required instrument and software shall have been validated through citation in at least twenty peer-reviewed publications. Software � The required instrument shall provide a software to characterize macromolecules and nanoparticles by batch dynamic light scattering, static light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering. The required software, along with the above instrument, shall combine advanced technical features to meet the following requirements which are deemed necessary to perform the measurements expected with acceptable ease of use, accuracy, precision, and repeatability: Presets (SOPs) The software shall be supplied with a variety of presets (standard operating procedures) that may be run in a single click, from initiation to final results. Customizable automation The software shall provide a scripting tool to fully customize automated measurements including temperature profiles, varying the number of acquisitions and length of each acquisition, enabling/disabling auto-attenuation, turning the laser on and off, and more. Solvent property temperature dependence The software shall account for changes in all relevant solvent properties, e.g. solvent refractive index or viscosity, due to changes in temperature. Data quality assessment DLS data interpretation can be opaque to non-experts, and low-quality data are subject to artifacts. The software shall provide, for each measurement, an assessment of the quality of the DLS data based on rules of best practice in DLS data interpretation. The feedback to the user shall be stated in clearly understandable terms and provide actionable recommendations regarding sub-optimal data. To facilitate data assessment, each measurement shall be clearly marked with a data quality icon. Data filtering The software shall provide automated means of filtering/deselecting low-quality data according to a variety of criteria including autocorrelation baseline value, sum-of-squares of the autocorrelation fit, maximum and minimum hydrodynamic size, etc. It must also provide a means of manually deselecting low-quality acquisitions or outliers. Result sorting and filtering The large quantities of data to be obtained can make data analysis cumbersome. The software shall permit sorting and filtering through the entire set of results in order to focus on the results of interest. Calculations and uncertainties The software shall provide for the determination of molar masses, sizes and size distributions of the macromolecules and particles in the solution/suspension, stating with each measured value the associated uncertainties (or error bars in graphs). Analyses The software shall be capable of performing the following analyses over the entire specified range of molar mass, size, and temperature: Weight-average molar mass from SLS Average particle size and polydispersity by means of 1) standard cumulants algorithms (ISO 22412, ASTM E2490-09) and 2) advanced cumulants fitting algorithms that do not allow for negative sizes in the distribution Particle size distributions per both CONTIN and DYNALS NNLS algorithms %Intensity, %Mass and %Number distribution types Conversion between distribution types assuming the particle shape factor is one of: Rayleigh spheres, Mie spheres, isotropic spheres or random coils D10/D50/D90 points and Span for each type of distribution Particle concentration (number of particles/mL) for monomodal and multimodal distributions; if multimodal, particle concentration for each population or mode. Second virial coefficient A2 Diffusion interaction parameter kD Aggregation rate Melting temperature, Tm, corresponding to the midpoint of a temperature-induced size transition Onset temperature, Tonset , corresponding to the beginning of a temperature-induced size� transition Fitting of general parametric analyses such as size versus pH or molar mass versus concentration to a variety of functions including polynomials, sigmoid, and linear intersection Solution viscosity Calculators The software shall provide built-in calculators to assist experiment design and data analysis including: Optimization of thermal ramps rate Setting the optimal acquisition parameters Estimating molecular radius from molar mass Estimating the relative fraction of two species present in solution that cannot be distinguished through regularization Estimating the axial ratio of proteins using the Perrin factor. Data export The software shall provide access to, and export capability of, all raw data and the data underlying each graph, as well as export to a spreadsheet of tabulated results. Reporting A single-page report containing just the essential information for a single sample measurement, or a complete set of measurements shall be available. A fully customizable report including all or part of the experimental information and results shall be available. 4.1 DELIVERY / INSTALLATION Delivery shall be within 7 weeks of the Purchase Order award. The Contractor shall coordinate delivery and tracking information with the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), TBD at award, with tracking information to anticipate delivery to the best extent possible. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included in the quote. Upon delivery, the Contractor shall notify the TPOC to schedule installation. The installation date and time shall occur within 15 business days after delivery. Installation shall be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified operator. The instrument shall be delivered and installed at the following location: 37 Convent Drive Building 37 Room 3118 Bethesda, MD 20892 The TPOC for delivery and installation are below: TBD at award Phone: TBD at award Email: TBD at award 4.2 TRAINING The Contractor shall provide one day of onsite training for approximately 10 primary users of the equipment. 4.3 WARRANTY The Contractor shall warrant that any instruments, equipment, components, or other supplies (�Supplies�) procured by this purchase are free of defects in design, material, or manufacture for a period of at least 12-months from date of installation. The Contractor shall warrant that all consumables or expendable parts are free of defects in design, material, or manufacture for a period of at least 90 calendar days from date of acceptance by the Government. Supplies which are repaired or replaced shall be warranted for the remainder of the initial warranty period or for 90-days � whichever is greater. 5.0 RESPONSE DELIVERY POINT Capability statements shall be submitted via email to Contracting Officer, Adam Hernandez, at adam.hernandez@nih.gov no later than 9:00 A.M. EST on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 (07/06/2021). All information furnished must be in writing and must contain enough detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the unique specifications described herein.�Please reference number 75N91021Q00125 on all correspondence. 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 capability. 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 RFQ may be published. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation(s).
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- SN06045288-F 20210630/210628230115 (samdaily.us)
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