NOI - Flow Cytometer Maintenance Service
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 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), intends to award a non-competitive purchase order to Cytek Biosciences, Inc. for maintenance services for a Cytek flow cytometer (serial number Y1440). This pre-solicitation notice seeks capability statements from other interested parties to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible. Responses are due by April 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
This requirement is for comprehensive parts and services to maintain a Cytek Aurora 4 flow cytometer (Serial Number Y1440) and its associated lasers, which are critical for the Laboratory of Viral Diseases (LVD)'s research. The services include:
- Preventive Maintenance: Two inspections annually, covering non-consumable parts, labor, and travel.
- Emergency Support: Guaranteed 48-hour response for non-functional instruments and 24-hour response for technical support.
- Technical Assistance: Unlimited telephone technical support, on-site and remote assistance for panel design, data analysis, assay optimization, troubleshooting, and scientific consultation.
- Software & Service: Provision of software revisions and unlimited service visits Monday-Friday.
- Deliverables: Prompt response to service requests and documentation of all service visits, including new parts provided.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent to Sole Source
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (NAICS 811210, $34M size standard)
- Period of Performance: A 12-month base period (April 23, 2026, to April 22, 2027) with four subsequent 12-month option periods.
- Place of Performance: National Institutes of Health, NIAID/LVD/CBS, Building 33 Room 2E13C, 33 North Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892.
- Response Due: April 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST
- Published Date: April 14, 2026
Sole Source Justification
The Government's determination to award non-competitively to Cytek Biosciences, Inc. is based on market research indicating that Cytek Biosciences, Inc. is the sole provider capable of maintaining their proprietary equipment. Extensive market research, including reviews of GSA Advantage, Dynamic Small Business Search, and previous government acquisitions, revealed no other sources that meet the requirements.
Action Items for Interested Parties
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, responsible sources interested in demonstrating their capability to fulfill this requirement may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation. Submissions must include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery period after contract award, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in SAM.gov. Responses must be submitted electronically to Elaine Estrella (elaine.estrella@nih.gov) or Brian Lind (brian.lind@nih.gov) and reference solicitation number PCA-NIAID-02214.