Expansion of HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS

Project ID: NIH-NOI-26-PCA-NCATS-06129 FederalOpportunitiesSpecial Notice

Overview

Agency	NIH Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations
Deadline	06/24/26
Posted	06/12/26
Estimated Value	$660,656 (value based on agency estimated range)
Set Aside	None
NAICS	339113 - Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing
PSC	6640 - Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
Location	Bethesda, MD 20892 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

SAM.gov Draft Title: Notice of Intent to Sole Source Expansion of HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS

Notice ID

NIH-NOI-26-PCA-NCATS-06129

Notice Type

Special Notice / Notice of Intent to Sole Source Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

NAICS Code

339113 Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing

Set-Aside Status

No set-aside

Contract Type

Firm-Fixed-Price

Estimated Award Date

August 14, 2026

Response Date

6/24/2026, 11:00am EST Description This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source and is not a request for competitive quotations. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract to:

102 Cherry Hill Drive

Beverly, MA 01915

United States

for the Expansion of the HighRes Automated Plate Handling System for NCATS. The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. NCATS currently operates an existing HighRes automated laboratory plate handling system used to support high-throughput screening and translational research workflows. The purpose of this requirement is to expand the installed system to support increased screening capacity and improved management of specialized compound libraries. The acquisition includes proprietary HighRes hardware, software, and services necessary to integrate additional capacity into the existing platform, including but not limited to:

HighRes Custom Table System with ACell Robot

- SteriStore D automated incubator - Plate stackers - Lid handling components - Plate orientation devices - Cellario software/device drivers - Installation - Commissioning - User acceptance testing The current platform was specifically designed as a proprietary, scalable HighRes system, and any expansion requires direct compatibility with its hardware architecture, control software, and integration framework. HighRes Biosolutions is the original manufacturer and integrator of the installed NCATS system and possesses the unique technical knowledge, proprietary parts, software, and integration capability required to perform this expansion. Market research determined that while other vendors may offer laboratory automation and robotic plate handling systems, no other source can provide a fully compatible expansion to the existing HighRes platform without substantial risk of incompatibility, system disruption, redesign, reverse engineering, schedule delays, increased cost, and warranty invalidation. The estimated value of this acquisition is $660,655.85. This notice is for informational purposes only. However, any responsible source that believes it is capable of meeting the Government's requirement may submit a capability statement. Capability statements must demonstrate the ability to provide all required proprietary hardware, software, integration, installation, testing, and validation services necessary to expand the existing HighRes system without compromising compatibility, performance, or warranty coverage. Responses must be submitted in writing via email to the points of contact identified below no later than June 24, 2026 at 11:00am EST. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered only for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Place of Performance

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

9800 Medical Center Drive

Bethesda, MD 20850

Period of Performance

12 months from date of award

Instructions to Interested Parties

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement by submitting: - Company name and address - UEI number - Point of contact information - Business size and socioeconomic status - Technical capability statement demonstrating ability to provide the required OEM-compatible HighRes system expansion - Evidence of authorization to provide and integrate proprietary HighRes hardware/software into the existing NCATS system - Relevant past performance for similar proprietary laboratory automation system expansions Responses shall be limited to 5 pages and submitted electronically to the points of contact below.

Linda Smith

linda.smith2@nih.gov

Danielle Tines

danielle.tines@nih.gov Disclaimer This notice does not constitute a solicitation for offers, proposals, or quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice.

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), is issuing a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for the expansion of the HighRes Automated Plate Handling System. The contract will be awarded to HighRes Biosolutions, located at 102 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly, MA 01915, United States. This acquisition aims to enhance NCATS's existing automated laboratory plate handling system, which supports high-throughput screening and translational research workflows. The expansion is necessary to increase screening capacity and improve management of specialized compound libraries. Work Details The contract includes the provision of proprietary HighRes hardware, software, and services required for integrating additional capacity into the existing system. Specific items include: - HighRes Custom Table System with ACell Robot - SteriStore D automated incubator - Plate stackers - Lid handling components - Plate orientation devices - Cellario software/device drivers - Installation services - Commissioning services - User acceptance testing. The expansion must maintain compatibility with the existing HighRes platform's hardware architecture and control software. Period of Performance 12 months from date of award Place of Performance National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20850 Bidder Requirements Bidders must demonstrate technical capability to provide OEM-compatible HighRes system expansion. They must also provide evidence of authorization to integrate proprietary HighRes hardware/software into the existing NCATS system and relevant past performance for similar proprietary laboratory automation system expansions.

Contacts

Contact name	Linda Smith
Contact email	linda.smith2@nih.gov
Contact phone	None
Secondary contact name	Danielle Tines
Secondary contact email	danielle.tines@nih.gov
Secondary contact phone	None