Intent to Sole Source to McLane Research Laboratories for Imaging Flow Cytobot

Introduction/Background: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Western Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with McLane Research Laboratories, Inc. This acquisition aims to provide an Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) to improve phytoplankton sampling and identification in Alaska's Large Marine Ecosystems. This aims to enhance the Alaska annotated phytoplankton image library and support AI/machine learning.

The IFCB, combining flow cytometry and video technology, will be used on various platforms and at the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute. It will provide long-term data on phytoplankton, crucial for understanding ecosystem changes and increasing harmful algal blooms due to climate change. Additional context and requirements are further detailed in the attached Statement of Need documentation.

Policy: **This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available.** However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit sustainingdocumentation in writing to the identified point of contact (below) within the alloted time frame after publication. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.

A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are NOT acceptable in response to this notice. Capability statements are due no later than 26 July 2024 at 12:00 CST. Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads “143061-24-0104 - Cytobot”.

To ensure your response along with any and all attachments are received, attachment(s) must be less than 20 MB [in total]. It is the responsibility of the offeror to contact the government to confirm receipt prior to the offer due date and time. Capability statements shall be submitted by email ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following POC: jacob.gray@noaa.gov 210.400.9512