two Eppendorf lnnova S44i stackable incubator shakers for bacteria cultures and insect cell cultures

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE This notice is being published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.101 requiring dissemination of information for proposed contract actions. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract, and is not a request for competitive quotes/proposals. The statutory authority for this sole source procurement is prescribed by FAR 13.501(a).

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders NIDCD/DIR/Section on Sensory Physiology and Biophysics intends to award a sole source, firm-fixed priced purchase order for one year to Fisher Scientific for two Eppendorf lnnova S44i stackable incubator shakers for bacteria cultures and insect cell cultures. The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders lab is engaged in fundamental research aiming to understand the structure and role of various components related to deafness in humans and known to be a source of various hearing-related disorders. Many of these proteins are not well understood and require fundamental characterization as well as investigation into their role in hearing. The purpose of this acquisition is to equip the SSPB section with the availability to perform bacteria culture in order to amplify cDNA constructs and other molecular biology preparations. The purchase of a second incubator shaker is for insect cell culture which will be used for protein purification.

The incubator shaker should have the following performance specifications:

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    • For higher plasmid or protein quantities: Up to twice as many flasks as other shakers (e.g. 15x/13x 2.5 L UltraYield™ or 39/36x 1 L Erlenmeyer flasks on dedicated/universal platform); 2x/3x stackable
    
    
    • Ready for high-speed expression protocols: Up to 400 rpm (orbit 25 mm/1 in) in all devices of a triple stack
    
    
    • True control with touch interface: All setpoints and current values are visible at a glance; Restrict access to change settings with user management
    
    
    • Optimized growth conditions: Speed accuracy +/- 0.5 rpm, temperature accuracy +/- 0.1 °C (at 37 °C), temperature uniformity +/- 0.25 °C (at 37 °C)
    
    
    • Made for 24/7 operation with high loads: Patented Eppendorf X-Drive with five shafts (four peripheral to support weight) for vibration-free shaking over years; Continuous imbalance monitoring and semi-automatic imbalance adjustment function
    
    
    • Easy door and platform handling: Space-saving door glides up and out of your way for easy access to all samples; Slide-out platform mechanism for one-handed operation
    
    
    • Programmability: Multistep or cyclic programming of temperature or speed rampings; Programmable LED intensity; unlimited program storage
    
    
    • Easy documentation and tracking: Data and event log (tracking of alarms, chamber temperature, rpm, door openings etc.) accessible via USS/User Interface or VisioNize® Lab Suite (touch enabled device)
    
    
    • Compatible with complementary systems: For example, microplate­ screening systems like the Duetz-system or in-flask biomass monitoring systems like CGQ (Aquila)
    
    
    • Options and accessories: Orbit 25 or 51 mm (1 or 2 in); Photosynthetic LED light bank; Two positioning bases; Darkening window shade; Sticky pad platform; Remote monitoring, documentation and more with VisioNize® Lab Suite
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

This request is specific for the indicated manufacturer due to its unique specifications. The incubator shaker is specifically equipped to perform bacteria culture or insect cell culture to gain the highest cDNA plasmid or protein yields in a compact footprint. The S44i incubator shaker can fit up to twice as many flasks as other shakers and it's ready to reliably support current high-yield expression protocol at high speeds up to 400 rpm.

This incubator shaker is equipped with Eppendorf X-Drive which is precisely engineered with five-eccentric shafts to balance even the heaviest load while providing consistent and smooth shaking. This technology senses imbalance and decelerates to a safe speed, which ensures vibration-free shaking even with uneven loads to protect lab personals and the cultures. The VisioNize touch interface introduces onboard monitoring, user management and the ability to export data via USB; or network integration via ethernet. The multi-touch capacitive display makes all information easy to monitor and track. A comprehensive service offering including IQ/OQ is also available.

For these reasons, we believe that the Eppendorf lnnova S44i incubator shaker is the best and only option that meets our bacteria and insect cell culture needs for cDNA plasmid preparation and protein purification.

However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement demonstrating the ability to provide the requested services, which shall be considered by the agency before the intended award date. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. The Government shall not reimburse interested sources for any information provided. No requests for capability briefings will be honored. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested vendors must respond to this notice on or before December 15,2022 at 11:00 am Eastern Time by sending an email to holleyv@od.nih.gov . NAICS Code: 334516- Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.