The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Cold Regions Research Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire intends to award a contract on a sole source basis Sony Biotechnology, Inc. upon the basis of the authority provided at FAR 13.500(a).
ERDC-CRREL intends to procure a SONY MA900 Multi-Application Cell Sorter with 488 nm/405nm/561nm/638nm laser and 96 and 384 well that can analyze and sort cells. The cell sorter must be able to sort and analyze cells using at least four excitation lasers. Peripherals, installation, training, and service agreements are also required.
The following items are required:
Table 1: One Full System - Hardware Elements of One Full System
Quantity
SONY Part No.
Description
1
LE-MA900FP
Sony MA900 Cell Sorter with 4 lasers with 488 nm/405 nm/561 nm/638 nm laser and 96 and 384 well plate system
1
WK100300
Computer Workstation
1
LE-U3E003
Power cord for computer workstation
1
LE-C3210
Sony SH800 and MA900 sorting chip 100 um (box of 40)
1
LE-B3001
SH800 and MA900 Automatic setup beads kit
1
AE700713
Sterile10X ClearSort sheath fluid
1
AE700522
8 peak beads
1
LE-C3200
Sony SH800 and MA900 cleaning chip (box of 40)
1
LE601275
12x75 mm test tubes (bag of 250)
1
AE100000
Air compressor for SH800/SA3800/FX500/MA900 (US-110V)
1
BIO-02
Biosafety cabinet for SH800/MA900 with AMS Sony part number
1
TRNG-Basic
On-site customer training (2 days) A 2 day training shall be provided on site by a Sony certified authorized provider. Field Application Scientist for up to four people.
2 years
SVC-MA900FP
Service Agreement MA900FP Full Coverage (base purchase of the system includes one year of service, but we also require a second year, thus two years in total)
1
LE-C3213
130 um SH800 sorting chip
1
LE-C3207
70 um SH800 sorting chip
1
LE-U3F021 5YX
Peek sample line
1
InstShipZ4T1
FOB Delivery / Shipping
Technical Performance Requirements and System Attributes: The required system must also fulfill the technical performance specifications listed below:
Table 2. Technical Performance Requirements & Attributes
Requirement
Technical Details
SONY Flow Cytometer - Full System
A
Data Collection Methodologies and Interoperability
CRREL requires this new procurement system to be compatible with an existing Sony flow cytometer system currently owned by PNNL and in use under this project. This new system will be paired with the existing Sony system to conduct similar experiments at the two institutions (i.e. CRREL and PNNL) yielding replicated results. CRREL needs the data to be sourced in exactly the same manner for quantitative comparability requirements. The cell parameters must be measured by four (4) lasers and technology using the same technology for cell analysis and sorting. The instrumentation must be the same in order to generate comparable datasets suitable to pass standards for peer review publications. Data collected using multiple methodologies (i.e., different systems using different sensors) will not generate comparable datasets.
B
Automation
The base system shall be automated to simplify subjective decisions enabling quantitative, reliable results. Instrument start up, cleaning, quality control, and sort set up automated with a push of the button to simplify maintenance and use.
C
Size
The overall system shall be small enough to sit within a biohood with specifications not to exceed 22 width, 22 depth, and 29 height. This size is considered bench top size to meet our lab requirements.
D
Cell Detection
The overall system shall have 4 excitation laser sensors: 488 nm, 405 nm, 561 nm and 638 nm
E
Laser Configuration
The overall system shall have 2 beam spots (488/561 and 405/638)
F
Bulk Sorting
The system shall have 4-way sorting to tubes to plates up to 384 well format
G
Sorter
Microfluidic chip-based sorter
H
Biosafety Cabinet
The system must include custom class A2 level II biosafety cabinet with a built-in aerosol management system, and the biosafety cabinet shall be constructed specifically for the sorter itself.
I
Output Data Formats
The system must be capable of generating flow cytometry standard 3.0 or 3.1 data files. CRREL will use the Sony software to conduct critical system checks and data analysis. To enable interoperability of all data collected (past and future), any system collecting data for this effort must be capable of generating the flow cytometry 3.0 or 3.1 output data files.
J
Tech support shall only be provided by a Sony Biotechnology Inc. authorized provider.
K
Product Warranty / Technical Support Service Agreement
The base system purchase shall include (at no cost) a two year product warranty and Technical Support Service Agreement, and CRREL additionally requests a third year of warranty and service support for purchase.
On site visits are currently anticipated under this contract.
Technical support shall be provided for the system on an as needed basis on field use of equipment, data processing, and other topics related to the system. CRREL shall be able to call and/or email the vendor regarding questions to obtain technical support.
The onsite warranty maintenance service work shall only be provided by a Sony Biotechnology Inc. authorized provider, and the trainer shall be a US Citizen able to provide valid US government issued ID (driver's license, passport) and able to pass a security review to gain onsite escorted access to CRREL. Warranty service shall cover parts, telephone support, preventative maintenance, and all on-site support
necessary to keep the system functional during service coverage.
L
Onsite Training 2 days
On-site customer training (2 days) shall be provided for up to four people. The training shall only be provided by a Sony Biotechnology Inc. authorized provider, and the trainer shall be a US Citizen able to provide valid US government issued ID (drivers license, passport) and able to pass a security review to gain onsite escorted access to CRREL.
Sony Biotechnology, Inc. has been identified as the only vendor capable of providing a product meeting both the Government's technical and interoperability requirements. The SONY MA900 Multi-Application Cell Sorter is required to analyze data in the exact manner as a partnering group at another Government organization also using the same SONY MA900 Multi-Application Cell Sorter. CRREL requires this specific brand and model instrument to generate data that are fully and seamlessly interoperable with datasets being generated with the partner group conducting the same analyses using the same SONY. Using a different make/model would result in incompatible datasets Sony Biotechnology, Inc. is sole distributor of its manufactured products, warranty, and service in the USA. As such, it is the only source available to meet the Government's requirement.
The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516, which has a size standard of 1,000 employees.
This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. Any interested party that believes they can fulfill this requirement should submit a capability statement to be reviewed. All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will in any way alter the Government's acquisition strategy.
Responses to this notice shall be submitted NLT 12:00 PM EST, 13 June 2023 to william.a.mcfarland@usace.army.mil.
Telephone responses will not be accepted.
Responses to this notice will not be considered as a response to any solicitation, a request to be added to a
prospective offerors list, or to receive a copy of any solicitation. A determination by the Government not to compete the contract 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.
To be eligible for award of a Government contract, vendors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), have no active exclusions, and complete the FAR and DFARS representations and certifications.
