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NIH-RFQ-26-PCA-NCI-02843
Response Deadline
Jul 21, 2026, 3:00 PM(EDT)4 days
Eligibility
Contract Type
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) / COMBINED SYNOPSIS-SOLICITATION
Solicitation Number: NIH-RFQ-26-PCA-NCI-02843
Notice Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Title: Attune Xenith Flow Cytometer or Equal
Posted Date: July 16, 2026
Response Date: July 21, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Set-Aside: None
NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
PSC Code: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice, and in conjunction with FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB), intends to acquire one (1) spectral flow cytometry system, including automation, software, installation, startup, training, warranty, and manufacturer-supported service, in accordance with the requirements set forth herein.
This acquisition is being conducted as an open market purchase. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order resulting from this solicitation.
2. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT
2.1 Background
The Pediatric Oncology Branch conducts laboratory, translational, and clinical research focused on developing new therapies for children and young adults with cancer, including CAR-T, TCR-engineered, NK-cell, ?d T-cell, and other immune-based treatments.
The Government requires replacement of an existing BD Fortessa flow cytometer, which is approaching end-of-life status, with a modern spectral flow cytometry platform capable of advanced immune cell analysis and characterization of patient-derived samples. The instrument will serve as a shared resource supporting six Pediatric Oncology Branch laboratories and multiple ongoing NIH intramural research studies.
2.2 Objective
The objective of this acquisition is to obtain a commercial spectral flow cytometry system capable of supporting advanced immunophenotyping and functional immune cell analysis of patient-derived and preclinical samples, while providing high throughput, automation, and compatibility with existing laboratory workflows.
3. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
The Government seeks one (1) Thermo Fisher Invitrogen Attune Xenith Flow Cytometer or equal. To be considered for award, any quoted product must meet all of the following minimum salient characteristics:
3.1 Instrument Requirements
The system shall:
3.2 Services Requirements
The vendor shall provide:
3.3 Compatibility / Operational Requirements
The quoted system must be suitable for use as a shared resource supporting multiple laboratories and must support high-parameter immune profiling using limited pediatric clinical specimens. Vendors quoting an “equal” product must clearly demonstrate how the quoted system meets all minimum requirements and supports equivalent operational capability.
4. DELIVERY / PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
Delivery, installation, startup, and training shall be performed at:
National Institutes of Health
Building 10 CRC, Room 1-3872
10 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
The required delivery/performance period is 12 weeks after date of award or sooner, inclusive of delivery, installation, startup, training, and Government acceptance.
5. CONTRACT TYPE
The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order.
6. BASIS FOR AWARD
The Government intends to award to the quoter whose quotation represents the best value to the Government, considering the following evaluation factors:
6.1 Technical Acceptability
Technical acceptability is the most important factor. The Government will evaluate whether the quoted product meets all salient characteristics and minimum requirements of this solicitation.
For any “equal” product, the vendor must provide sufficient technical documentation to demonstrate equivalency, including product literature, specifications, brochures, and a point-by-point crosswalk to each salient characteristic.
Failure to clearly demonstrate compliance with all minimum requirements may render the quotation unacceptable.
6.2 Past Performance
The Government will evaluate the vendor’s record of recent and relevant past performance for similar laboratory instrumentation or comparable scientific equipment acquisitions. The Government may consider information obtained from the vendor, CPARS, prior Government experience, and other available sources.
6.3 Price
Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. The Government may make award to other than the lowest-priced quotation if a higher-rated quotation is determined to provide the best value.
7. QUOTATION INSTRUCTIONS
Vendors shall submit a complete quotation package that includes the following:
7.1 Volume I – Technical Quote
The technical quote shall include:
7.2 Volume II – Past Performance
Provide up to three examples of recent and relevant contracts or purchase orders for similar laboratory instrumentation or scientific equipment, including:
7.3 Volume III – Price Quote
The price quote shall include:
The total quoted price shall include all costs necessary to provide a complete and fully functional system meeting the requirements of this solicitation.
7.4 SAM Registration
Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov at the time of award.
8. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Quotations shall be submitted electronically to:
Contracting Officer: Linda Smith
Email: linda.smith2@nih.gov and;
Procurement Technician: Danielle Tines (c)
Email: danielle.tines@nih.gov
Quotations are due no later than:
July 21, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Late submissions may be rejected and not considered for award.
9. CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS
The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition, in addition to any others required by law or agency policy:
FAR Provisions
FAR Clauses
HHSAR Clauses
10. BRAND NAME OR EQUAL INFORMATION
This requirement is issued on a brand name or equal basis. The referenced brand name product is the Thermo Fisher Invitrogen Attune Xenith Flow Cytometer.
Any quotation offering an “equal” product must include sufficient descriptive material to permit the Government to determine whether the product offered meets all salient characteristics identified in this solicitation. The burden is on the vendor to establish equivalency.
The Government is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the quotation.
If the vendor is providing an equal product(s), please supply descriptive data for evaluation purposes to determine the validly of how it is an EQUAL. The following FAR provision applies to this a solicitation FAR 52.211.6 Brand Name or Equal (August 1999)
(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.
(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-
(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;
(2) Clearly identify the item by-
(i) Brand name, if any; and
(ii) Make or model number;
(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and
(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.
(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.
(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.
(End of provision)
11. IMPORTANT NOTICE
This solicitation is issued as a competitive RFQ. The Government reserves the right to:
Quoters are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your quote, you will be consenting to disclosure of your quote to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.
Linda Smith
Danielle Tines
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OLAO
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OLAO
6011 EXECUTIVE BLVD., SUITE 503L
BETHESDA, MD, 20892
NAICS
Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
PSC
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES