NESTOR CELL AUTOMATION DISPENSING UNIT - RUO
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) intends to award a non-competitive contract for the NESTOR CELL AUTOMATION DISPENSING UNIT - RUO to CELLAVEN. This presolicitation notice indicates NIH's intent to procure a unique cell automation dispensing unit without full and open competition. Responses from interested parties are due May 26, 2026.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for the Cellaven NESTOR system, which is uniquely capable of providing a compact, fully automated, sterile cell culture solution. It features integrated refrigeration and programmable workflows specifically designed for sensitive iPSC cultures, ensuring highly controlled and reproducible environments essential for maintaining pluripotency and experimental integrity. Due to these unique characteristics, Cellaven is identified as the only responsible source.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Presolicitation, Non-Competitive (Notice of Intent)
- Intended Awardee: CELLAVEN (3 Les Coulots, 21110 Bretenière - France)
- NAICS Code: 334516 (Size Standard 1,000 employees)
- Regulatory Authority: FAR Subpart 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures (not exceeding $350,000)
- Statutory Authority: FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1) - Soliciting from a single source
- Set-Aside: Not Set-Aside
- Response Due: May 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern time
- Published: May 21, 2026
Evaluation
This 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 the Government should proceed on a non-competitive basis or conduct a competitive procurement. A determination not to compete is at the Government's discretion.
Additional Notes
Responses must include a technical proposal, cost-price proposal, period of performance, Unique Entity ID (UEI), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in SAM.gov. Responses should reference solicitation number 75N98026Q00430 and be submitted electronically to Mai Venson at vensonm@mail.nih.gov.