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, intends to award a sole-source contract to Becton Dickinson (BD) Biosciences for the continued service and maintenance of critical, government-owned flow cytometer instruments. This is a Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent (NOI), not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may submit capability statements by April 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Opportunity Details
- Agency: National Institute on Environmental Health and Safety (NIEHS), NIH
- Purpose: To ensure the operational readiness and data integrity of essential flow cytometers used for researching environmental effects on human health.
- Location: NIEHS laboratories in Research Triangle Park (Durham), North Carolina.
- NAICS Code: 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance ($34M size standard).
Scope of Work
The contractor shall provide all necessary services, qualified personnel, materials, and equipment for comprehensive maintenance and repair of specific BD Biosciences instruments, 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, with adequate supply or 48-hour acquisition.
- Coverage: All costs for repairs (parts, labor, travel).
- Support: Priority technical support, including direct telephone access to an OEM-trained engineer.
- Warranty: Minimum 6 months for repair services, 12 months for replacement parts.
- Documentation: Written service documentation after maintenance/repair.
- Preventive Maintenance (PM): One scheduled PM visit per instrument per year, including calibrations, alignments, adjustments, lubrications, part replacements, and proprietary software updates.
- Repair Services: On-demand services with technicians having access to proprietary diagnostic software and test equipment.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Sole Source (Presolicitation)
- Set-Aside: This acquisition is NOT set aside for small business.
- Period of Performance: 12 months base year (April 20, 2026 – April 19, 2027) with one 12-month option year (April 20, 2027 – April 19, 2028).
- Response Due: April 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST.
- Published: April 9, 2026.
Sole Source Justification
The Government's determination to award without full and open competition is based on market research indicating that BD Biosciences is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of these complex, proprietary instruments. Only BD Biosciences and its authorized agents can provide the required services due to proprietary technology, the need for certified technicians, and the exclusive availability of genuine OEM parts. Market research confirmed no other vendors are authorized or capable.
Response Information
This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may submit capability statements to demonstrate their ability to fulfill the requirement. Responses will be considered to determine if a non-competitive basis is appropriate. Submissions must include unit price, list price, shipping, delivery period, prompt payment terms, F.O.B. Point, DUNS, TIN, business size certification, and active SAM registration. Responses must reference solicitation number PCA-NIEHS-00125.
Contact: Elaine Estrella (elaine.estrella@nih.gov) or Brian Lind (brian.lind@nih.gov).