SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- EZ-Taxiscan System
- Notice Date
- 8/8/2008
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Blvd., EPS Suite 600, Rockville, Maryland, 20852
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- NCI-80175-NG
- Archive Date
- 9/9/2008
- Point of Contact
- Malinda L Holdcraft,, Phone: (301) 402-4509, Caren N Rasmussen,, Phone: (301) 402-4509
- E-Mail Address
-
holdcram@exchange.nih.gov, cr214i@nih.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology (LCMB) plans to enter into a sole source procurement for an EZ-Taxiscan system for quantitative measurement of chemotaxis from Effector Cell Institute; 3F 4-7-7, Aobadai, Meguro-KU; Tokyo, 153-0042, Japan. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority and FAR 13.5 to use simplified procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. The Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology (LCMB) investigates normal cellular signal transduction and aberrance in signaling pathways that are associated with neoplasias in humans and model systems. The LCMB studies the role of oncogenes, growth factors, immunoreceptors, and downstream effector molecules in neoplastic and normal cellular activation and proliferation. The goal of these studies is to define cellular activation pathways, to identify mechanisms that induce cancer, and to provide possible diagnostic and preventative measures to utilize at the clinical level. The objective of this procurement is to allow the researchers to obtain quantitative data for our chemotaxis measurements. The NCI will be able to simultaneously measure the behavior of six conditions on a wide variety of cell types. Indeed, the system will be useful to a variety of investigators within LCMB and the CCR. Particular emphasis has been placed on understanding signal transduction pathways mediated by the activation of G protein-coupled receptors and growth factors receptors. Studies include the understanding of paracrine, autocrine, and juxatocrine activation of growth factor receptors, activation of T-cell receptors, chemotaxis, and the identification and analysis of effector and adaptor molecules that control proliferation, differentiation, and motility through these different pathways. Moreover, understanding the signal transduction pathways and identifying the proteins involved in chemotaxis will lead to greater understanding of both the immune response to abnormal cells and the generation of cells with metastatic potential. The following salient characteristics apply: <!--[if !supportLists]--> 1) <!--[endif]--> System must have a compact body to fit on a lab bench/benchtop, <!--[if !supportLists]--> 2) <!--[endif]--> System must generate reproducible linear chemoattractant gradients using micro-fluidic technology with 4, 5, 6, 8 m m depth and 130 and 260 m m width, <!--[if !supportLists]--> 3) <!--[endif]--> System must contain a thermal unit control that sets temperatures from room temperature to 42 ºC with 0.1 ºC increments, <!--[if !supportLists]--> 4) <!--[endif]--> System must be compatible with a wide variety of cells, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes., lymphocytes, NK cells, dendritic cells, mast cells, cultured lymphoid cells, and Dictyostelium cells; The chips come in various depths (4, 5, 6, and 8 mm) and widths (130 and 260 mm), <!--[if !supportLists]--> 5) <!--[endif]--> System must allow the analyses of six samples at once, <!--[if !supportLists]--> 6) <!--[endif]--> System must work with as little as 100 cells, <!--[if !supportLists]--> 7) <!--[endif]--> System must record data digitally and provide software for quantitative analyses for automatic counting of migrating cells, tracking migration, and velocity vs. distance plot analysis. Benefits: The acquisition of the EZ-Taxiscan will be of immense benefit to the researchers as it will allow us to obtain quantitative data for our chemotaxis measurements. We will be able to simultaneously measure the behavior of six conditions on a wide variety of cell types. Indeed, the system will be useful to a variety of investigators within LCMB and the CCR. Therefore, a contract is the appropriate instrument since the Government will directly benefit from the instrument’s use. PART II: Facts and Reasons to Justify Other than Full and Open Competition <!--[if !supportLists]--> 1. <!--[endif]--> Statute: 13.106-1 (b)(2) (b) Solicitation from a single source. <!--[if !supportLists]--> (2) <!--[endif]--> For Sole source acquisition of commercial items in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold conducted pursuant to subpart 13.5, the requirements at 13.501 (a) apply. <!--[if !supportLists]--> 2. <!--[endif]--> Sole Source Justification. Accurate and quantitative measurement of chemotaxis is essential to adequately compare the behavior of various mutant cell types as well as assess the effect of inhibitors. This requires a system that not only provides reproducible linear chemoattractant gradients, but also provides software to extract quantitative information from the collected data. The EZ-TAxiscan is the only instrument available on the market that allows quantitative analyses of chemotaxis. The EZ-Taxiscan is a small microscope that is enclosed in a desktop-size box that allows the user to directly observe the movement of cells during chemotaxis. It contains a movable stage and a high-end microfluidic device that allows the generation of shallow, linear chemoattractant gradients. Most importantly, it is designed to analyze six samples at a time – an invaluable benefit. It contains a thermal control unit and comes with an impressive and user-friendly quantitative analysis software. This six channel device is easy to use and designed to meet the needs of small-scale chemotactic research. The migration of cells is filmed with a CCD camera located beneath the chip, equipped with a high performance lens and coaxial episcopic illumination system. Images are taken at time-lapse intervals and saved digitally. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the requirement as detailed they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished shall be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the contracting office by 11:00 pm EDT, on August 25, 2008. All questions must be in writing and must be emailed to Malinda Holdcraft at holdcram@mail.nih.gov faxed to (301) 402-4513. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed 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. In order to receive an award from the NCI contractors must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA). Please refer to http://orca.bpn.gov In addition; contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference NCI-80175-NG on all correspondence.
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