Service Maintenance Agreement for Celltrio RoboCell Cell Line Automation System
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 Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a Pre-Solicitation Non-Competitive Notice of Intent to award a sole source contract for Service Maintenance Agreement for the Celltrio RoboCell Cell Line Automation System. This acquisition aims to ensure the continued, reliable operation of the critical RoboCell system, which supports automated cell culture and translational research workflows. Responses from interested parties are due by May 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive OEM maintenance services for the Celltrio RoboCell system. Key requirements include:
- Platinum Maintenance services, encompassing OEM parts and labor.
- Quarterly preventative maintenance reviews and reports.
- Remote diagnostics and troubleshooting support.
- Software updates and upgrades.
- Annual updates to system documentation.
- Onsite response within 36 hours as required.
The RoboCell system is a closed, fully integrated platform, and maintenance requires factory-trained engineers with expertise in all integrated components (e.g., Agilent Cytation 10 confocal microscope, Biomek i7 liquid handling workstation).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Pre-Solicitation Non-Competitive (Notice of Intent to Sole Source)
- Authority: FAR Part 12 (Commercial Items) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), justified under FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source).
- NAICS Code: 811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance.
- Estimated Value: $34,000,000.
- Set-Aside: This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses.
- Period of Performance: One year after the Purchase Order is awarded.
- Response Due: May 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST.
- Published: May 7, 2026.
Justification for Sole Source
The government's determination to award on a non-competitive basis is due to the unique technical requirements. Celltrio, Inc. is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the RoboCell system. Only Celltrio possesses the proprietary software, firmware, diagnostic tools, OEM-certified parts, and factory-trained engineers necessary to maintain the system without risking failure, loss of data integrity, or voiding warranties. The intended source is Copia Scientific.
Submission Requirements
This is not a request for competitive proposals, but interested parties may submit capability statements for consideration. Responses must include:
- Unit and total price
- Shipping and handling costs
- Delivery timeframe
- Payment terms
- F.O.B. point
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
- Business size classification
All offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.
Contact Information
Primary Point of Contact: Jaddua Johnston, Contract Specialist, at jaddua.johnston@mail.nih.gov or 240-569-0006.