Dynamic Light Scattering Instrument Upgrade

Title: Dynamic Light Scattering Instrument Upgrade

Solicitation No.: 75N98026Q01220

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number is 75N98026Q01220. This solicitation is issued as a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a non-competitive acquisition and is intended to result in the award of a purchase order without providing for full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 12.603, Streamlined Solicitation for Commercial Products or Commercial Services. The statutory authority for this non-competitive acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), as applicable.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director, Office of Acquisitions, intends to negotiate and award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order on a non-competitive basis to:

Waters Technologies Corporation
34 Maple Street
Milford, MA 01757

for a Wyatt Systems DynaPro NanoStar II and associated upgrade/configuration, accessories, standards, installation, training, and technical support.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

The purpose of this acquisition is to replace an aging and failing dynamic light scattering (DLS) instrument currently used by the NIH laboratory. The existing Wyatt DLS instrument is approximately 16 years old and is well beyond its expected service life. In addition, degradation of the instrument's laser has significantly reduced its performance and rendered it unsuitable for many protein samples.

The Government requires a replacement system that provides reliable, high-sensitivity dynamic light scattering measurements while maintaining compatibility with the laboratory's existing Wyatt Systems infrastructure, workflows, and applications.

The proposed Wyatt Systems DynaPro NanoStar II provides combined Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Static Light Scattering (SLS) capabilities. These complementary measurements provide information regarding particle size and molecular mass and will support characterization of protein complexes and higher-order assemblies relevant to ongoing NIH research involving viral nucleocapsid proteins and other biomolecular systems.

The system's broad measurement range, wide temperature range, small-volume sample capability, and rapid, non-destructive measurements are particularly important for research involving limited quantities of protein or samples that are difficult to produce. The ability to perform measurements using small sample volumes will help conserve valuable research materials and facilitate routine sample characterization.

The replacement instrument will also support collaborative research projects by providing an accessible and standardized method for screening sample quality before more resource-intensive analyses are undertaken. This capability is expected to improve laboratory efficiency, maximize the use of shared research resources, and enhance the reliability and reproducibility of experimental results.

Failure to replace the existing instrument would adversely affect mission-critical research activities that rely on DLS characterization and could result in delays to ongoing studies and cascading impacts on collaborating laboratories that depend on access to this capability.

The Government requires the complete system configuration, associated standards and consumables, installation, certification, training, and applicable technical support identified below.

CONTRACT TYPE

The Government intends to issue a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order.

LINE ITEM / PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

CLIN 0001 – Wyatt Systems DynaPro NanoStar II

Quantity: 1 Each

Part/Model No.: 176850550 1 WYATT Systems

Configuration shall include, at a minimum, the following:

• WDN-0200 – Quantity 1
  DynaPro NanoStar II, 45 µL, Active USB.
• 900113 – Quantity 2
  1 mL ampule of Bovine Serum Albumin with lot certification. Concentration: 2 mg/mL. Provides molar mass validation and normalization for DAWN, miniDAWN, and microDAWN systems using an aqueous mobile phase and provides molar mass and size validation for DynaPro NanoStar, DynaPro Plate Reader, and related Wyatt instrumentation.
• 900174 – Quantity 1
  15 mL vial of aqueous suspension of polystyrene latex spheres for batch size and concentration validation for NanoStar, NanoStar II, ZetaStar, or Plate Reader. Certificates of Analysis and Safety Data Sheets are available through the manufacturer's documentation portal.
• 900175 – Quantity 1
  15 mL vial of aqueous suspension of polystyrene latex spheres for batch size and concentration validation for NanoStar, NanoStar II, ZetaStar, or Plate Reader.
• 900107 – Quantity 1
  Instrument Installation Kit.
• 725000561 – Quantity 1
  Ethernet Switch, 10/100/1000Base-T, 8-Port.
• 900510 – Quantity 1
  DYNAMICS 8 with DYNAMICS Touch.
• WZDMC – Quantity 1
  Package of 30 disposable cuvettes with 3 reusable caps for NanoStar II and ZetaStar. Cuvettes require a minimum sample volume of approximately 4 µL and are constructed of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).
• 741000536 – Quantity 1
  Wyatt System Installation Certification.
• Y-LSU2G – Quantity 1
  Training, LSU – 2 Days.
• 740007188 – Quantity 1
  TAW DynaPro NS/NS with Online DLS.

The offeror shall provide pricing for all required items and associated services, including any applicable tariff charges, shipping, handling, installation, training, certification, and other associated costs.

APPLICABLE PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01, dated March 13, 2026, unless otherwise stated in the resulting purchase order.

The associated NAICS code is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and the applicable small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

This requirement is not set aside for small business.

The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition. The Government will evaluate quotations based on technical acceptability, price, delivery, and the offeror's ability to provide the required equipment, proprietary software, accessories, updates, installation, training, warranty, maintenance, and technical support.

The Government may make award based on the initial quotation received without conducting discussions.

A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, issued to the successful offeror within the time specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party.

The Government reserves the right to accept an offer before the expiration date specified in the offer, whether or not discussions are conducted, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received prior to award.

Offerors shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, with their quotation.

FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable to this requirement.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Responses shall include sufficient information to demonstrate the respondent's capability to provide the required products and services. Quotations shall include, at a minimum:

1. Unit price;
2. List price, if applicable;
3. Shipping and handling costs;
4. Delivery timeframe after award;
5. Delivery terms;
6. Prompt payment discount terms;
7. F.O.B. point (destination or origin);
8. Product, model, catalog, and/or part numbers;
9. Product descriptions;
10. Warranty and maintenance information; and
11. Any other information relevant to the Government's evaluation.

Because this requirement involves proprietary Wyatt Systems equipment and compatibility with the NIH laboratory's existing Wyatt System, respondents shall provide documentation establishing that the offered products and services are supplied by, authorized by, or otherwise supported by Waters Technologies Corporation/Wyatt Technology and are compatible with the Government's existing Wyatt instrumentation and laboratory workflow.

Responses shall include, as applicable:

a. Product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s);

b. Product description;

c. Documentation demonstrating that the offered items meet the Government's required specifications and compatibility requirements;

d. Quantity;

e. Unit and extended pricing;

f. Shipping, handling, and installation charges;

g. Delivery timeframe after receipt of order;

h. Warranty and maintenance terms; and

i. Documentation establishing authorization to provide the specified proprietary Wyatt products and services if the respondent is not the manufacturer or authorized supplier.

Responses must also include the offeror's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and business size certification.

All offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of quotation submission and award.

RESPONSE DEADLINE

All responses must be received no later than September 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Responses shall reference Solicitation No. 75N98026Q01220.

Responses shall be submitted electronically to:

patricia.haun@nih.gov

The Government intends to evaluate all information received in response to this notice and may make award based on the initial quotation without conducting discussions.