Cos Mx Spatial Molecular Imager kits, regents and consumables

PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE **NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOI-NIAID-24-2231508 NAICS – 325414 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 Nanostring Technologies Inc to provide Cos Mx Spatial Molecular Imager kits, regents and consumables specific only to the Cos Mx instrument manufactured by Nanostring.

The Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR) is dedicated to studies of malaria and insect vectors of infectious diseases. Research groups in the laboratory maintain an array of on-campus and overseas activities investigating disease-transmitting insects and broad areas of malaria biology and pathogenesis. Basic discoveries from these investigations support searches for new drug treatments, diagnostic tools, and vaccines.

As research is conducted, use of the CosMx SMI is the first high-plex in situ analysis platform to provide spatial multiomics with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen (FF) tissue samples at cellular and subcellular resolution. CosMx SMI enables rapid quantification and visualization of up to 1,000 RNA and 100 validated protein analytes.

It is the flexible, spatial single-cell imaging platform that will drive deeper insights for cell atlasing, tissue phenotyping, cell-cell interactions, cellular processes, and biomarker discovery. Historically, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence have been used to assess spatial heterogeneity of proteins and nucleic acids in tissue slices. However, these techniques are of limited utility due to restricted dynamic range, difficult quantitation, and limited multiplexing capability.

LMVR applies this technology to very limited samples from human clinical trial (NCT05036707) that will be tested at Nanostring’s facility. Hence this requirement to purchase consumables to run 8 slides with the 1000 RNAplex, as highlighted in the quote. No other company offers similar technology on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. LMVR has FFPE- slides samples from an IRB approved human protocol and these are ready to be tested.

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 comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered.

The documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov, (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-24-2231508 by 5:00 pm eastern standard time July 15, 2024. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit a quotation. Instructions on how to register / submit quotes are included on the website. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency.