MAINTENANCE/SERVICE CONTRACT FOR CYTEK AURORA FLOW CYTOMETER, S/N U0537/CD141, PRODUCT #N9-90136

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Cytek Biosciences, Inc. to renew a service agreement on the Cytek Aurora Flow Cytometer, S/N U0537/CD141, Product #N9-90136.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB), (collectively “Program”), investigates basic aspects of innate and adaptive immune function, and how different cell types within the body discriminate between self and non-self. This discrimination is the crucial mechanism by which the body patrols itself and is able to respond appropriately following exposure to microorganisms or vaccines. Using computational biological approaches coupled with more traditional biological experimentation, Program intends to build models of how the mammalian immune system responds to pathogens and vaccines.  The Cytek Aurora flow cytometer is an instrument that allows Program to discriminate between these cell types by analyzing markers on the cell surfaces which are indicative-of-and-unique-to specific cell types, while simultaneously freeing up other instrumentation in the lab which performs a partially similar function. Therefore a renewal service agreement is needed to keep the equipment functioning properly. 

The NIAID has a requirement for: Cytek Aurora 5 laser with loader Flow Cytometer renewal service agreement.

The Contractor MUST provide the following services:

1. SVC Cytek Aurora 5 Laser with loader - UV/V/B/YG/R - Premium, SN: U0537/CD141, Product #N9-90136, Qty 1

• factory trained field service engineers to provide on-site service at facility]
• 2 preventive maintenance inspections per year
• all non-consumable parts, travel, and labor for repair visits
• 24-hour (maximum) response time for technical support
• 48-hour (maximum) response time for non-functional instruments, with escalation to the top of our priority field service job queue
• on-site and remote assistance, including assistance with panel design, data analysis, assay optimization and troubleshooting, and general scientific consultation (“TAS assistance”), by a dedicated regional Technical Applications Specialist (TAS)
• unlimited telephone technical support
• vendors must certify all service personnel who will work on the equipment
• original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specification parts and services

Priority scheduling and onsite response for all repairs during the period of performance.

Priority is defined as giving priority scheduling equal to a direct contract and guaranteeing

the equivalent manufacturer’s priority onsite response. If you are a third-party service

provider, the priority scheduling and/or response time, must be listed on a capabilities

statement, as well as documentation of OEM trained technicians is required. If you are a third-party service provider, the priority scheduling and/or response time, must be listed on a capabilities statement/quote , as well as documentation of OEM trained technicians is required.

*All service providers must provide proof from Cytek Biosciences, Inc. that they are an authorized service provider for the equipment.* While this pre-solicitation does not constitute a solicitation, interested vendors may identify their interest and capability to satisfy this requirement. The Government understands that Cytek Biosciences, Inc. is the sole provider of the required service currently being utilized by NIAID per continuity protocols and compatibility requirements. However, vendors that believe they can provide the capability required to fully meet the Government's requirement may submit a capabilities statement, including past performance, in writing to the identified point of contact prior to the closing date and time of this notice. Such documentation shall be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement on NOI-NIAID-25-2260039.

Period of Performance: 

09/04/2025 – 09/03/2026

Place of Performance:  NIH, NIAID, 4 Memorial Drive, Bldg 4, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.  FOB:  Destination

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide this service may submit a capability statement along with a copy of agreement with manufacturer to service Cytek Biosciences equipment to be considered by 10:00 am EST, May 19, 2025. All required documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit their documentation. Instructions on how to register /submit documents are included on the website. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.