Notice of Intent to Sole Source – Lease of Avatar™ Odyssey Instruments (Xcell Biosciences) 26-004627
Summary
AI-generated · Apr 02, 2026Lease four Avatar Odyssey instruments from Xcell Biosciences for six months to support process development in the Center for Cellular Engineering laboratories at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda. The Avatar Odyssey platform provides programmable control of oxygen tension, pressure, and temperature, allowing precise manipulation of the cellular microenvironment to generate data that informs process optimization for cell therapy manufacturing. The instruments are for research use only and will not be used for clinical manufacturing, but the resulting data will support the assessment and future acquisition of GMP-compliant systems.
This is a sole-source action; the government intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract to Xcell Biosciences, as they are the only identified source capable of providing the required system with transferable data for future GMP contexts. The period of performance is six months, with the work conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda. Capabilities Statements may be submitted within 10 calendar days.
Notice of Intent to Sole Source Lease of Avatar Odyssey Instruments (Xcell Biosciences) NAICS Code: 532490 Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing Product Service Code (PSC):W066 Lease or Rental of Equipment Laboratory Equipment Description: This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for quotations. A solicitation will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested. This notice is for informational purposes only. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Clinical Center (CC), Office of Purchasing and Contracts, on behalf of the Center for Cellular Engineering (CCE), intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract on a sole source basis to: Xcell Biosciences, Inc. 455 Mission Bay Blvd Suite 124 San Francisco, California 94158-2159 Requirement: The purpose of this acquisition is to lease four (4) Avatar Odyssey instruments for a period of six (6) months to support process development activities within the CCE laboratories located at the NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. These instruments enable precise control of cellular microenvironment conditions, including oxygen tension (hypoxia to normoxia), pressure, and temperature, which are critical for evaluating and optimizing cell therapy manufacturing processes. The Center for Cellular Engineering develops and manufactures investigational cell-based therapies for patients with limited or no remaining standard treatment options, in compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements (21 CFR Parts 210, 211, 600, and 1271). Although the instruments are designated for research use only and will not be used for clinical manufacturing, they are essential for generating data that will inform process optimization, improve cell phenotype and function, and support future acquisition of GMP-compliant systems. Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Soliciting from a single source when only one source is reasonably available. Justification for Sole Source: Market research conducted by the Government determined that Xcell Biosciences, Inc. is the only responsible source capable of providing the required Avatar Odyssey system. The Avatar Odyssey platform is the only commercially available system that integrates programmable control of both oxygen tension and pressure within a single system suitable for cell therapy process development. No other vendors were identified that can meet these requirements or provide data that is transferable to future GMP-compliant systems. Period of Performance: Six (6) months from date of award Place of Performance: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center 10 Center Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 Response Information: Interested parties may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet this requirement. Responses must be received within 10 calendar days of this notice. Point of Contact: Team Leader: Shasheshe Goolsby Email: shasheshe.goolsby@nih Office of Acquisitions and Logistics Management (OALM) Disclaimer: This notice is not a request for competitive quotes.
From Presolicitation posted on Apr 01, 2026Notice history
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Presolicitation LATEST Posted Apr 01, 2026
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