National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

66 -- MULTI-LASER FLOW CYTOMETRY SYSTEM & MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING FLOW CYTOMETRY SYSTEM SOL RFQ80184(NR) DUE 083198 POC Marsha Gorham, Purchasing Agent, (301)402-4509 & Todd Cole, Contracting Officer The National Cancer Institute (NCI) plans to procure a new multi-laser flow cytometer system and modifications to its existing system from Becton Dickenson Immunocytometry Systems (BDIS), 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, CA 95131-1807. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR FAC 97-06 The acquisition is being made in accordance with the test program for using simplified procedures for certain commercial items authorized in FAR 13.5. The Standard Industrial Classification Code is 3826 and the business size standard is 500 employees. However, this requirement is not set-aside for small businesses. A. Background The Experimental Immunology Branch (EIB), DBS/NCI, currently usesone multi-laser, highly modified Becton Dickinson FACSTAR Plus research instrument (SN#90253) with cell sorting capabilities and 3 user-operated single laser bench-top flow cytometers in its research. The Branch requires a new multi-laser flow, high-speed cytometry system and high-speed modifications to its existing system to increase its cell sorting capabilities. The new system must be capable of performing all cell analysis/sorting experiments available with the existing instrument, including multi-color (up to 7 simultaneous colors) immunofluorescence. The new system must also provide capabilities not available with the existing instrument such as identification and sorting of cells transfected with blue fluorescent protein gene constructs and recording of single cell data of cells sorted into micro-titer plates. B. Requirements The integrated system that NCI plans to procure from BDIS includes the following components: 1) a FACS Vantage/SE Cell Sorter with FACStation; 2) a Turbo Sort -- Plus HighSpeed Cell Sorting Option for FACS Vantage/SE; 3) a Clone -- CYT -- Plus Automated Cell Deposition System Option; 4) an Innova Model 302C Krypton Laser for FACS; 5) an Innova Model 305C 5W Argon Laser for FACS; 6) an Innova Model 306C 6W Argon Laser for FACS; 7) Coherent 599 Dye Laser for FACS Vantage/SE; and 8) a Turbo Sort-Plus High Speed Cell Sorting Option for the existing EIB FACSTAR Plus Cell Sorter; and 9) equipment for the FACS Cell Sorter such as filters, detectors, optics, laser mounts, cross beam compensation, pulse processors, log offset modules, and dichroic beam splitters to support the utility of the system. However, if any interested party believes that it can meet the above specifications, it may submit an offer to Marsha Gorham at the address above. The brand/models listed above establish a standard of quality, and NCI will consider offers for these systems and components or their equals. The successful offer must also meet the following functional specifications and requirements: I.The flow cytometer must provide: 1) a stable platform and electronic controls for the alignment and simultaneous operation of 3 lasers: one water-cooled argon laser, one water-cooled krypton laser, and one water-cooled argon laser acting as a pump for a dye laser; 2) detectors, electronics, appropriate hardware, dichroic mirrors and filters to support the detection of 2 scatter parameters (forward and 90 degrees) and 8 fluorescence parameters, including 4 fluorescence channels from the primary argon laser, 2 fluorescence channels from the dye laser, and 2 fluorescence channels from the krypton laser. A minimum of 8 channels (operator selectable) must be capable of simultaneous operation for analysis and sorting; 3) simultaneous pulse processing (pulse area, pulse width, ratio) of all 6 detector signals to detect doublets or as required experimentally; 4) crossbeam compensation to correct for excitation of fluorochromes by multiple lasers, to include a minimum of 32 simultaneous corrections functional during cell sorting; 5) optical filter set for use in measuring calcium flux with Indo-1 excited by ultraviolet light; 6) software and hardware which provides for non-rectangular sort gate definition based on Boolean logic combinations of up to 8 regions of various sizes and shapes defined on dual parameter plots, including multiple (up to 8) plots of compensated (inter- and intra-beam) data; 7) high speed cell sorting capability meeting or exceeding sorting of populations at a 25,000 events/sec (threshold plus abort) rate; 8) automated deposition system including software and hardware to allow for user defined sorting of 0-999,999 cells per position within microtiter trays or sorting to slides or other user defined devices; 9) software to record measured parameter values of individual cells deposited in microtiter trays for correlation of measured values with deposition site; 10) large particle sorting (up to 100 microns) with 200, 300 or 400 micron orifice tips; 11) stainless steel, autoclavable sheath and water reservoirs and capability of disinfection of entire fluid course to provide aseptic cell sorting; 12) hardware and software compatibility with Macintosh computer-based data transfer via network for remote data storage, archiving and analysis, including compatibility with data analysis on Macintosh based computers; 13) computer hardware and software to perform instrument control, data collection and data analysis; 14) on-site installation including set-up, laser installation and optical alignment by qualified field engineer; and 15) one year on-site parts and labor warranty on flow cytometry system. II. The Laser Systems must provide: 1) a primary argon laser to be Five-Watt Argon- Ion water cooled laser tunable to 488nm, 514.5nm and 457.9 nm with 400 mW ultraviolet, to include metal/ceramic plasma tube and automatic active-cavity stabilization and remote control; 2) 2 Watt Krypton Ion water-cooled laser with remote control and with actively stabilized beam positioning system, configured with a tuneable prism assembly for single wavelength selection from 350nm to 415nm with 250 mW ultraviolet (350.7nm) and 250mW 406.7nm; 3) pump laser for dye laser to be water-cooled Six-Watt Argon Ion laser with automatic active-cavity stabilization and remote control and with multi-line (458-514nm) output of 6 Watts; 4) CW tunable dye laser with high pressure dye circulator, sapphire nozzle, 3-plate birefringent filter tuning element and optics set for operation with Rhodamine 6G dye and to provide visible output between 580nm and 620nm with Rhodamine 6G; 5) on-site installation in flow cytometry system; and 6) one year parts and labor warranty on laser components. III. Modifications to BDIS's existing FACSTAR Plus equipment (SN#90253) to provide: 1) fluidics upgrade to provide operating range from 0 to approximately 50 psi; 2) electronic modifications to decrease dead time to approximately 5 microseconds, to provide drop delay up to 60 drops with resolution to 0.1 drop, to increase dynamic range of drop drive frequency and to increase charging resolution to accommodate increased drop drive frequency; 3) drop deflection control modifications for increased deflection plate voltage and to increase drop charging limit to 170 volts; 4) performance to meet or exceed 20K event rate (threshold plus abort); 5) to include components required for large particle sortine with 200, 300 or 400 micron orifice tips; 6) all modifications to be compatible with existing, highly modified, Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems Multi-Laser FACStar Plus (SN 90253) controlled by VAX/VMS computer; 7) certification that High Speed Sort modification to existing instrument will not void existing OEM maintenance; 8) modifications to be performed on site by qualified field engineer; and 9) one year parts and labor warranty on new components. All equipment shall be installed by the vendor and warranted for a minimum warranty period of one year, including parts and labor, as complete systems. Delivery shall be made F.O.B Destination, inside delivery, no later than 90 days after receipt of order, to the EIB Flow Cytometry Center, Bethesda, Maryland. C. Provisions and Clauses The solicitation incorporates the provisions at FAR 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS, and at FAR 52.212-3, OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS -- COMMERCIAL ITEMS. The latter provision includes the DUNS Number Addendum. The resulting contract will incorporate the requirements of the clause at FAR 52.212-4, CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS -- COMMERCIAL ITEMS, and the requirements contained in paragraphs (a) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.212-5, CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS -- COMMERCIAL ITEMS -- DEVIATION FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS. The following FAR clauses cited in paragraph (b) of the clause at FAR 52.212-5 are also applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.222-26, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY; FAR 52.222-35, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR SPECIAL DISABLED AND VIETNAM ERA VETERANS; FAR 52.222-36, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES; FAR 52.222.37, EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON SPECIAL DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF VIETNAM ERA; and FAR 52.225-3, BUY AMERICAN ACT -- SUPPLIES. Full text copies of the representations and certifications or other cited provisions and clauses may be obtained from Marsha Gorham on (301) 402-4509 or by fax on (301) 402-4513. D. Offers BDIS is the only source known to NCI that can meet the requirements and provide comparability to the existing BDIS system with full installation and a one year warranty as indicated Offers must be submitted on an SF-18 or SF-1449 that is signed by an authorized representative of the offeror and includes a completed "Schedule of Offered Supplies/Services." Offers must be accompanied by a completed and signed "Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items -- with DUNS Number Addendum." Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties, and/or other materials that demonstrate that the offer meets the stated requirements. Offers and related materials must be received in this office by 2:00 pm EST on August 31, 1998. No collect calls will be accepted. Please cite the solicitation number, RFQ-80184-NR, on your offer. Posted 08/13/98 (W-SN236522). (0225)

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