SOW_Final.DOCX

STATEMENT OF WORK

Automated Liquid Handler for DNA Manipulation

I. Background and Purpose:

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Biosystems and Biomaterials Division has a requirement for an automated liquid handler laboratory instrument capable of next-generation sequencing library preparation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA assembly. Installation and training are also required.

II. Scope of Work:

The Contractor shall deliver and install an automated liquid handler instrument, including operational software, and provide basic system training, meeting the specifications cited below. In addition, method programming for DNA extraction, and training for programming of instrument control software, shall be provided if options are exercised.

III. Specifications:

LINE ITEM 0001 – BASE LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) Automated Liquid Handler Instrument, Hamilton Robotics Model NGS Star, or equivalent meeting the following salient characteristics:

1. The instrument shall be capable of running automated library preparation methods for Illumina sequencing platforms including Nextera XT DNA, 16S rRNA, TruSeq Custom Amplicon v1.5, Nextera DNA Flex, and TruSeq Stranded mRNA.

2. The instrument shall include an eight-channel air displacement pipetting tool with the following specifications:

a. For use with disposable tips

b. Pipetting volume spanning at least the range from 0.5 uL to 1000 uL

c. Independent pipetting volume for each channel

d. Pipetting precision (with optimal tip size) of better than:

i. 6% at 0.5 uL

ii. 5% at 1 uL

iii. 1% at 10 uL

iv. 1% at 50 uL

v. 1% at 1000 uL

e. Pipetting accuracy (with optimal tip size) of better than:

i. 10% at 1 uL

ii. 6% at 1 uL

iii. 2% at 10 uL

iv. 2% at 50 uL

v. 1% at 1000 uL

f. Variable spacing and height (i.e. independent ‘Y’ and ‘Z’) for each channel

g. Pressure-based liquid level detection for each channel to detect the level of liquid in SBS plates, tubes, or other labware used with the system

h. Capacitance-based liquid level detection for each channel to detect the level of liquid in SBS plates, tubes, or other labware used with the system

i. Transfer volatile solvents (e.g. ethanol; methanol) without dripping

j. Zero force insertion on tip loading/ejection or other means to assure no aerosol dispersion

k. Pipetting channels positional accuracy of 0.1 mm or better in all 3 directions (X, Y, and Z)

3. Shall include at least five heater-shaker stations to accommodate the different labware formats and enzyme reactions required for the sequencing library preparation methods listed in Specification 1

4. Shall include at least one magnetic base for 96-well plates that is suitable for the magnetic bead-based DNA purification and manipulation steps required for the sequencing library preparation methods listed in Specification 1

5. Shall include an automated thermocycler suitable for polymerase chain reaction in 96-well plate format with the following capabilities and specifications:

a. Temperature control spanning at least the range from 4°C to 99°C

b. Temperature accuracy of ±0.3°C or better at 55°C

c. Temperature uniformity of ±0.2°C or better from 55°C to 95°C

d. Heating rate adjustable from 0.1 to 4.4 K/s

e. Cooling rate adjustable from 0.1 to 2.2 K/s

f. Lid heating with temperature control spanning at least the range from 5°C above ambient to 115°C

g. Compatible with 96-well skirted plates

h. Compatible with automation friendly sealing lids for the PCR plate (e.g. Bio-Rad Auto-Sealing Lid, Hamilton ComfortLid)

6. Shall include at least two on-deck SBS plate positions with cooling capability to 4°C or colder

7. Shall include capabilities for automated movement of SBS-format microplates between the different liquid handler deck positions and the thermocycler

a. The system shall be capable of moving SBS plates and pipette tip racks/boxes between positions on the liquid handler deck

b. The system shall be capable of automatically transferring SBS plates between the liquid handler deck and the thermocycler

8. Shall include a barcode scanner capable of automatically verifying that library preparation reagents are loaded into the system correctly before starting a method

9. Shall include carriers/holders for reagent tubes appropriate for the library preparation reagents for the methods listed in Specification 1

10. Shall include an enclosure around the liquid handler deck and the thermocycler with the following specifications:

a. HEPA filtration to provide positive pressure filtered air to the thermocycler and the pipetting space within the liquid handler to protect samples from the environment outside the instrument.

b. The HEPA air flow shall be controllable by the instrument software.

11. Shall include a supporting table with the following specifications:

a. The table surface shall be made of an inert, non-porous material suitable for use in a biological laboratory environment (e.g. phenolic resin, epoxy resin)

b. The table shall include casters for easy movement of the table and instrument within the laboratory

c. The table surface shall include cut-outs so that the automated liquid handler can drop waste pipette tips and labware through the cut-outs into a waste container located beneath the table surface

d. The table shall be structurally capable of supporting at least 900 lbs. of distributed weight

e. The table frame shall be made of a non-porous material with good corrosion resistance suitable for use in a biological laboratory environment (e.g. aluminum, stainless steel, powder coated steel) LINE ITEM 0002 – BASE LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) Software for Control of Instrument The Contractor shall deliver software for the control of the instrument of Line Item 0001. The control software must meet all the following specifications.

1. The software must allow for flexible programming of new instrument methods

2. The software must include programmed methods for the sequencing library preparation methods listed in Line Item 0001, Specification 1

3. The software shall be compatible with either Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 10 operating system

a. NIST shall supply the computer with the necessary Windows operating system

LINE ITEM 0003 – BASE LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) System Delivery and Installation The Contractor shall deliver the instrument to the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD, and install the instrument in Building 227, at NIST Gaithersburg, MD. Installation will occur during normal business hours defined as Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for federal holidays. Installation will be scheduled in coordination with the TPOC. The instrument system will meet the specifications above post installation.

LINE ITEM 0004 – BASE LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) Basic System and Instrument Training The Contractor shall provide basic training for up to two NIST personnel in the use of the instrument for the sequencing library preparation methods listed in Line Item 0001, Specification 1. Basic System Training shall take place at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD. The training may be completed immediately after completion of installation.

LINE ITEM 0005 – WARRANTY

The Contractor shall provide a one-year warranty for the system. All hardware and software shall be covered. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor and travel. Only parts approved for use by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) shall be used in the repair and maintenance of the instrument. The warranty shall commence upon acceptance of the instrument by the Government.

LINE ITEM 0006 – OPTION LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) Software Programming Training The Contractor shall provide training for one NIST personnel in the use of the instrument control software for the development and programming of new methods. The Software Programming Training shall take place either at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or at a contractor training facility within the United States.

This option shall remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of award.

LINE ITEM 0007 – OPTION LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) Additional Software Programming Training The Contractor shall provide training for one additional NIST personnel in the use of the instrument control software for the development and programming of new methods. The Software Programming Training shall take place either at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or at a contractor training facility within the United States.

This option shall remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of award.

LINE ITEM 0008 – OPTION LINE ITEM: Quantity One (1) DNA Extraction Method Programming The Contractor shall program and test methods using the instrument of Line Item 0001 and software of Line Item 0002 to automate the Agencourt DNAdvance Extraction kit for a 96-well plate.

This option shall remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of award.

*NOTE: The Government may exercise option line items, at its discretion, at the time of award or at any time in accordance with the timelines identified above. Options will be exercised by the issuance of a modification (Standard Form 30).

IV. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Installation of the instrument and Basic System and Instrument Training shall be accomplished at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Normal duty hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Federal holidays.

The Software Programming Training shall take place either at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or at a contractor training facility within the United States.

V. DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall ship the instrumentation to the specified address (see section III, Line item 0003) in accordance with the timeframe specified in the deliverable table below.

VI. GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor employee shall be responsible for knowing and complying with all installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and also is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. Each Contractor employee shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID, proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office, at which time a NIST vehicle pass will be issued. The pass shall be displayed on the vehicle in accordance with NIST Security Office instructions.