Service for – BD FACSDiscover S8 BRVYGUV (SN: R66515800038) Maintenance Contract

Notice No.: 75N98026Q01241

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order to BD Biosciences for a BD FACSDiscover S8 BRVYGUV (SN: R66515800038) Maintenance Contract.

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's medical research agency, and the mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is to support research on arthritis, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases through scientific discovery, training, and dissemination of research findings.

The NIAMS Flow Cytometry Section (FCS) provides centralized flow cytometry and cell sorting services to investigators within the NIAMS Intramural Research Program and collaborating NIH researchers. The FCS operates several cell sorters, including the BD FACSAria Fusion, BD FACSMelody, Cytek Aurora CS, and the BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter (Serial No. R66515800038).

The BD FACSDiscover™ S8 is the only instrument in the FCS that combines full-spectrum flow cytometry with real-time, camera-free imaging, enabling simultaneous fluorescence, spatial, and morphological analysis during cell sorting. These unique capabilities improve identification of target cell populations, enhance sort quality and purity, and support advanced applications that cannot be performed on the Section's other cell sorters.

The instrument is a critical resource supporting ongoing NIH intramural research and has been used in numerous studies, including muscle stem cell isolation for the NIAMS Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, where its imaging technology has improved sorting efficiency and post-sort purity.

The objectives of the maintenance agreement are as follows:

The NIAMS Flow Cytometry Section (FCS) seeks to acquire a maintenance service contract for the BD FACSDiscover S8 BRVYGUV (SN: R66515800038). The primary objective of this procurement is to ensure the continued operation and reliability of flow cytometry services that support NIAMS intramural research. Maintaining this instrument under a comprehensive service agreement will help ensure optimal performance, minimize downtime, and sustain the high level of functionality required to support ongoing research efforts.

A determination by the Government to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

It is anticipated that an award will be issued approximately five (5) calendar days after the closing date of this notice, unless the Government determines that another vendor has the capability to meet this requirement.

Please submit responses electronically to davisroshonna@mail.nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EDT on September 25, 2026.

Please reference Notice No. 75N98026Q01241 in the subject line of the response.