SAM #75N98026Q00659NCI

Sole Source Procurement of Abeyance Cryogenic LN2 Vapor Cryo Freezer and Racks for NIH NCI Pediatric Oncology Branch

This notice announces a sole-source procurement by the NIH National Cancer Institute Pediatric Oncology Branch for a cryogenic freezer system and racks. - Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Pediatric Oncology Branch - Procurement Type: Sole-source, firm-fixed-price purchase order - Vendor: Lab Rep Co. - OEM: Azenta Life Sciences (manufacturer of Abeyance A440) - Equipment: Abeyance A440 Cryogenic LN2 Vapor Cryo Freezer and compatible racks - Purpose: Long-term storage of critical clinical and research samples - NAICS Code: 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) - Key Requirements: - Optimized size, capacity, and usability - Touchscreen controller - Automatic maintenance of freezer conditions - Cloud/email/USB data recording - Independent temperature and LN2 level monitoring - Increased capacity with same footprint - Cryogenic LED, automatic fog-clear, improved ergonomics - Compatibility with existing storage space - -190°C vapor storage, extended hold times, battery backup, gas bypass, onboard installation checklist - Justification: Prior positive operational experience with Azenta A440 units - Commercial Opportunity: Sole-source, but similar manufacturers may exist - No explicit period of performance or quantities provided

Description

NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source

NOTICE ID NUMBER: 75N98026Q00659 NCI

TITLE:

Abeyance Cryogenic LN2 Vapor Cryo Freezer and Racks

CLASSIFICATION CODE:

6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

NAICS CODE:

334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

RESPONSE DATE:

August 12, 2026 – 3 PM

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to award a sole-source firm-fixed-price purchase order to Lab Rep Co. for an Abeyance Cryogenic LN2 Vapor Cryo Freezer and racks.

Requirement

The Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH maintains several liquid nitrogen freezers used for long-term storage of critical clinical and research samples.

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

• Optimized design for size/capacity/usability

• Touchscreen controller automatically maintains freezer conditions

• Critical data is recorded (can be pushed to the cloud, emailed or saved to USB drive)

• Supports independent temperature and liquid nitrogen level monitoring and control

• Increased capacity while maintaining footprint size of current units to optimize restricted space

• Cryogenic LED and automatic fog-clear to enhance visibility and sample access

• Improved ergonomics allowing for safer/easier access to samples

• Cryogenic freezers must fit in space currently occupied by the units being replaced as floor space is limited. 

Sole-Source Rationale

The Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH has been systematically replacing aging liquid nitrogen freezers as they reach the end of their operational lifespan in order to mitigate the risk of catastrophic equipment failure and potential loss of critical clinical and research samples. The most recent replacement units were purchased several years ago.

Those units—the Abeyance A440 liquid nitrogen freezers from Azenta Life Sciences—have demonstrated excellent reliability, performance, and compatibility with the Branch’s current storage infrastructure. Based on this positive operational experience, the Abeyance A440 has proven to be a dependable solution for the long-term storage of valuable biological samples and represents an appropriate replacement platform as older units continue to malfunction and be retired.

The Azenta  A440 Cryo freezer is a secure cryo freezer designed for samples specifically with user feedbacks over the years. 

i.            -190°C vapor storage with extended hold times resulting in the most energy efficient system per sample

ii.           Unique design offers increased capacity resulting in 10-30% more samples stored

iii.          Improved ergonomics/sample access and workflow

a.           Cryo LED and auto fog clear system for full visibility

b.           Large folding step and safety handle

c.           Low profile liftover height

d.           Hinged lid

iv.          Monitor system for easy access to data to review performance graphs, export data and log/schedule maintenance

v.           Cloud-based controller with remote monitoring

vi.          Data can be directly emailed, pushed to the cloud or saved directly to USB flash drive

vii.         Supports secondary temperature and LN-level monitoring

viii.        Ductwork vents LN2 vapor away from lid to reduce user exposer as well as minimizing condensation

ix.          Battery backup and gas bypass

x.           Onboard installation checklist to ensure proper and safe setup

Authority

The intended sole-source acquisition is authorized under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), which permits solicitation from a single source when the Contracting Officer determines that only one source is reasonably available for an acquisition not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.

Capability Statements

This notice is not a request for quotations or proposals. However, responsible sources that believe they can satisfy the Government's requirement may submit a written capability statement. The Government will evaluate all capability statements received; however, the determination not to compete this requirement remains solely within the Government's discretion.

Submission Instructions

Capability statements shall reference Notice ID number NIH-NCI-NOI- 75N98026Q00659

and must be submitted electronically no later than August 12, 2026, at36:00 P.M. Eastern Time (ET). to Claudia.Ventola@hhs.gov

POINT OF CONTACT:

Claudia Ventola, Contract Specialist

Office of Acquisition Management Services

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Claudia.Ventola@hhs.gov

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