BEACON ESSENTIAL SERVICE PLAN

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate an other than full and open competition basis Bruker Cellular Analysis, Inc. for a Beacon Essential Service Plan for the Beacon Optofluidic System.

The Laboratory of Immunogenetics (LIG) within the Nationals Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling functions of immune cell receptors. Research encompasses a wide spectrum of experimental approaches, from the structural determination of immune receptors to the live cell image analysis of the behavior of chemotactic receptors. Development of new chemotherapies for tuberculosis is also a major area of study.

The Antibody Biology Unit of the Laboratory of Immunogenetics (LIG), in furtherance of its mission to advance our knowledge of human B cells and isolation of monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic purposes, requires the Beacon Optofluidic System to be operational at all times. It is currently being used to research, identify, and develop potent therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against influenza and other diseases. The Beacon Optofluidic System is required for screening irreplaceable human clinical patient samples, a necessary step in developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. In addition to being an integral part of the monoclonal antibody therapeutics workflow, the Beacon Optofluidic System was a significant investment; therefore, continuous maintenance and on-call service technicians are imperative to the instrument’s operation.

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capabilities statement that will be considered. The documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov, (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-25-2259917 by 12:00 pm eastern standard time May 29, 2025. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit a capabilities statement. Instructions on how to register / submit quotes are included on the website. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). All responsible sources may submit a capabilities statement that will be considered by this Agency.