SER-CAT beamline located at the Argonne National Lab in Argonne, IL
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 of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price purchase order to the University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc. for SER-CAT beamline services located at the Argonne National Lab in Argonne, IL. This is a Notice of Intent (NOI), not a request for competitive quotations. Capability statements from responsible sources are due by March 16, 2026, 11:00 AM EST.
Purpose & Scope
This acquisition supports NIAID's mission to conduct and support research in allergic, immunologic, and infectious diseases. Specifically, it provides access to the SER-CAT beamline, a critical synchrotron data collection facility for protein crystallography groups across multiple NIH institutes (including NCI, NIAID, VRC). This continues a long-standing collaboration, with NIAID now taking the lead in negotiating the contract.
Contract Details
- Type: Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order (Sole Source)
- Estimated Value: $236,819
- Period of Performance: March 20, 2026, to March 19, 2027
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source)
- Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 13.106-1(b), 13.501(a) (Only One Responsible Source).
- Place of Performance: Argonne National Lab, Argonne, IL.
Justification for Sole Source
The University of Georgia (UGA) Research Foundation Inc. developed and operates the highly advanced SER-CAT beamline facility. NIH has collaborated with UGA for over 20 years, and continuing with UGA ensures continuity of service, access to high-resolution data, and cost-effectiveness due to UGA's foundational role and NIH's historical contribution to the beamline.
Submission & Evaluation
This is NOT a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, any responsible source that believes it can provide the required services may submit a capability statement. Statements must be emailed to Linda Smith at linda.smith2@nih.gov (subject line: NIAID-NOI-26-2278124) by March 16, 2026, 11:00 AM EST. The government will consider these responses to determine if competition is feasible, but the decision to not compete remains at the government's discretion.
Contact Information
Linda Smith Email: linda.smith2@nih.gov Phone: 240-236-9341