Fortessa Cytometer Service Contract
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 Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the NHLBI Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine Branch (PCCMB), has issued a Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent to Sole Source for a Fortessa Flow Cytometer Service Contract. This notice indicates the government's intent to award a non-competitive, firm fixed-price contract to Becton, Dickinson and Company for essential maintenance and repair services. Interested parties must submit capability statements by March 27, 2026, at 4:00 pm EST.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for comprehensive service and maintenance of a Fortessa Flow Cytometer (Serial Number H647794L5026), which is critical for ongoing immune system analyses at the Bethesda, MD facility. Services include:
- Unlimited on-call technical support and service visits.
- Free part replacement and software revisions.
- Two preventative maintenance inspections annually.
- Emergency on-site service response within 48 hours (Monday-Friday, excluding holidays).
- Provision of labor, parts, extended coverage hours, technical telephone response, planned maintenance, diagnostics software license, and service documentation.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order
- Period of Performance: A 12-month base period (April 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027) with two 12-month option periods, extending potentially through April 15, 2029.
- Set-Aside: This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses.
- Response Due: March 27, 2026, at 4:00 pm EST
- Published: March 12, 2026
Sole Source Justification
The government intends to award this contract non-competitively to Becton, Dickinson and Company (located at 2350 Qume DR, San Jose, California) based on market research. The Fortessa Flow Cytometer is proprietary to its manufacturer, and Becton, Dickinson and Company is identified as the sole provider capable of supplying the required maintenance services. This determination is made under FAR 6.302-1, citing only one responsible source.
Submission & Evaluation
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation to demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirement. Responses will be considered to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible. Submissions must include unit price, list price, shipping/handling, delivery period, prompt payment terms, F.O.B. Point, DUNS, TIN, and business size certification. All offerors must have an active SAM.gov registration.
Additional Notes
- NAICS Code: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (Size Standard: 1250 employees).
- Contact: Jaddua Johnston, Contract Specialist, at Jaddua.Johnston@nih.gov.