NOI - Service and Maintenance of Flow Cytometers
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institute on Environmental Health and Safety (NIEHS), part of NIH, has issued a Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent (NOI) to award a sole-source contract to Becton Dickinson (BD) Biosciences. This contract is for the continued service and maintenance of critical, government-owned flow cytometer instruments located at the NIEHS laboratories in Research Triangle Park (Durham), North Carolina. The purpose is to ensure operational readiness and data integrity of essential research equipment. Responses from interested parties are due by April 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for comprehensive service and maintenance of specific BD Biosciences flow cytometers, including:
- Qty 1 - Fortressa (no lasers), S/N: R647800L6084
- Qty 1 - High Throughput Sampler, S/N: U030100073
- Qty 2 - S6 (no lasers), S/N: R66293700049 and R66293700115
Key requirements include:
- Personnel: OEM-certified and factory-trained field service engineers.
- Parts: Exclusive use of genuine, OEM-manufactured parts.
- Coverage: All costs for repairs, parts, labor, and travel.
- Support: Priority technical support with direct access to OEM-trained engineers.
- Warranty: Minimum 6-month warranty for repair services, 12-month for replacement parts.
- Maintenance: One scheduled Preventive Maintenance (PM) visit per instrument per year, including calibrations, alignments, and software updates.
- Repair Services: On-demand repair with access to proprietary diagnostic software.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sole-Source Contract (Pre-Solicitation NOI)
- NAICS Code: 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance ($34M size standard)
- Set-Aside: This acquisition is NOT set aside for small business.
- Regulatory Authority: FAR Subpart 13.5 (Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items) and FAR Subpart 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items).
- Statutory Authority: FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source).
- Period of Performance: 12 months base (April 20, 2026 - April 19, 2027) with one 12-month option year (April 20, 2027 - April 19, 2028).
- Response Due: April 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST.
- Published: April 15, 2026.
Sole Source Justification
The Government's determination to award without full and open competition is based on market research confirming BD Biosciences as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The equipment's proprietary technology, the need for certified technicians, and the exclusive availability of genuine OEM parts make BD Biosciences the only source capable of meeting the requirements.
Response Information
This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to fulfill the requirement. Responses will be considered solely to determine if a non-competitive basis is appropriate or if a competitive procurement is necessary. Submissions should include unit price, list price, shipping, delivery period, payment terms, F.O.B. Point, DUNS, TIN, and business size certification. All offerors must have an active SAM.gov registration. Responses must reference solicitation number PCA-NIEHS-00125 and be submitted electronically to the contacts below.
Contact Information
- Primary: Elaine Estrella (elaine.estrella@nih.gov)
- Secondary: Brian Lind (brian.lind@nih.gov)