Statement of Work Biometra T Advanced 96 SG Gradient Thermal Cycler.docx

Contract VA241-15-D-0148 Contract VA241-15-D-0148 Analytik-Jena Biometra T Advanced 96 SG Gradient Thermal Cycler 689-25-4-7155-0187

1.0 Background & Introduction

The Clinical Neurosciences Division (CND) of the National Center for PTSD and the VA Brain Bank are studying the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid conditions with the goal of identifying novel targets for more effective therapeutic treatments. Specific purpose funding has been made available during fiscal year 2025 to procure three (3) Analytik-Jena Biometra T Advanced 96 SG Gradient Thermal Cyclers for the neurogenomics laboratory. The requested Biometra Thermocycler is a critical instrument used in molecular biology applications, particularly polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is essential for DNA amplification. It will also be used for genotype identification and gene expression analysis in experimental research tasks. This equipment will directly support ongoing research in the VA National PTSD Brain Bank intramural research program, which requires high-throughput, precision thermal cycling capabilities.

The thermocyclers will be used to perform the following tasks:

1.1. PCR Amplification: The thermal cycler is designed for efficient and precise DNA amplification, making it an excellent resource for PCR techniques.

1.2 Annealing Temperature Optimization: The gradient function allows optimized annealing temperatures for different primer pairs in a single run, leading to improved PCR efficiency and specificity.

1.3 High-Throughput PCR: The cycler's fast heating and cooling rates, along with its capacity for 96 wells, allow for high-throughput PCR experiments.

1.4. Ensure consistency and reliability in data, which is especially vital for clinical and forensic investigations.

2.0 Objectives

The objective is to establish a new contract with Marshall Scientific, LLC at 102 Tide Mill Road Hampton, NH 03842 to procure three Analytik-Jena Biometra T Advanced 96 SG Gradient Thermal Cyclers, 115V with the following components:

-96 x 0.2ml Silver Block with Gold Coating -Power Cord -Operator's Manual -Manufacturer's Documentation -2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty

3.0 Competition and Contract Type Selection

The request is for a brand name, limited source procurement. The contract does not have any outside time and material needs, labor, or anything not listed on the quote provided.

4.0 Minimum Salient Requirements

The following are the minimum salient characteristics that must be met:

4.1 Sample Block: Silver, gold-coated block with gradient function.

4.2 Capacity: 96 x 0.2 mL tubes, 96-well microplates, or 12 x 8-well strips.

4.3 Sample Volume: 5–50 µL.

4.4 Heating Rate: Up to 8.0 °C/s.

4.5 Cooling Rate: Up to 5.5 °C/s.

4.6 Temperature Uniformity: ±0.2 °C at 55 °C after 15 seconds.

4.7 Gradient Function: Linear gradient with a range of 40 °C to 0.1 °C.

4.8 Dimensions: 457 mm (W) x 277 mm (D) x 264 mm (H).

4.9 Lid Type: High-Performance Smart Lid (HPSL) with a temperature range of 30 °C to 110 °C.

4.9.1 Compatible Consumables: PCR tubes, high- and low-profile microplates (non-skirted, semi-skirted, full-skirted).

4.9.2 Time Increment: 1–240 seconds per cycle.

4.9.3 Temperature Increment/Decrement: ±0.1 °C to 20 °C.

4.9.4 Two-year warranty.

5.0 Deliverables and Price Cost Schedule

Includes:

-96 x 0.2ml Silver Block with Gold Coating -Power Cord -Operator's Manual -Manufacturer's Documentation -2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty

Shipping

6.0 Delivery

Deliverables should be received within 12-weeks post contract award. Shipments should be sent to:

VA CT Healthcare System National Center for PTSD ATTN: Matthew Girgenti 950 Campbell Avenue Warehouse Bldg 1 West Haven, CT 06516.

Tracking information on the shipments should be sent to the attention of Matthew Girgenti (Matthew.Girgenti@VA.Gov) and Brenda Martini (Brenda.Martini@VA.Gov). Any changes to this statement of work shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence to the COR and approval from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder. After delivery, invoices shall be submitted via the Tungsten portal for COR review, certification and payment by the Financial Service Center in Austin, Texas.

7.0 Government-furnished property, material, or equipment

None

8.0 Security

No special security requirements are associated with this purchase. The equipment will be used for laboratory analysis of deidentified samples and will be located and used at an offsite research laboratory under a license with the VA CT Healthcare System. The vendor will not be on VA property for installation or service. A&A requirements do not apply. A Security Accreditation Package is not required.

9.0 Special Material Requirements

There are no other special requirements or considerations for this contract.

10.0 Other Unique Requirements

There are no other unique requirements or considerations for this contract.

11.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance is 12-weeks from the contract award date.

12.0 Records Management

12.2. Definitions

“Federal record” as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them. The term federal record:

· includes VHA records.

· does not include personal materials.

· applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to the VHA contract.

· may include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables.

12.3. Requirements

The following standard items relate to records generated in executing the contract and should be incorporated, including, citations to pertinent laws, codes, and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228.

12.3.1. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

12.3.2. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records.

12.3.3. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

12.3.4. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

12.3.5 The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract.

12.3.6. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data.

12.3.7. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

12.3.8. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules.

12.3.9. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.

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