Service and Maintenance for CytoFLEX Flow Cytometer
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 Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Service and Maintenance for CytoFLEX Flow Cytometer. The intent is to award a firm-fixed price contract to Beckman Coulter, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), for essential maintenance of critical research equipment. This is not a request for competitive proposals, but interested parties may submit capability statements. Responses are due by February 17, 2026.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for preventative maintenance and service for the existing CytoFLEX LX Flow Cytometer (serial # BA37055 and BA14015). Services must be performed by OEM-authorized, factory-trained technicians using OEM certified parts. The contractor will provide proactive maintenance, planned inspections, onsite engineer calibrations, and all necessary documentation, repair parts, spare parts, accessories, maintenance supplies, special tools, and test equipment to ensure peak performance, reproducibility, and minimal downtime for critical research activities.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm-fixed price contract.
- Estimated Period of Performance: March 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026.
- Place of Performance: National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute (NEI), Bethesda, MD.
- Response Due: February 17, 2026.
- Published: February 6, 2026.
- Intended Awardee: Beckman Coulter Life Sciences.
Set-Aside & Justification
This is a sole-source acquisition to Beckman Coulter and is NOT set aside for small businesses. The justification, under FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), states that Beckman Coulter is the sole manufacturer and authorized service provider for the CytoFLEX Flow Cytometer. Using any other contractor would void equipment warranties, jeopardize system integrity and functionality, and risk irreparable damage to NIH research data due to the loss of analytical data from expensive and irreplaceable experimental samples. Only OEM-authorized technicians have access to proprietary parts, system schematics, software, and configurations required.
Response Information
This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, responsible sources may submit a capability statement demonstrating their bona-fide capabilities to fulfill the requirement. Responses must include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery period, prompt payment terms, F.O.B. Point, Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), UNIQUE ENTITY ID, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in SAM.gov. Submissions must be electronic to Shayna Simpson (Shayna.Simpson@hhs.gov) by the closing date.