36C24E25Q0047_1.docx

Special Notice Special Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Regional Procurement Office East Building 32 Suite 1A1111 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215-1802

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Contract Specialist Mae McGarry mae.mcgarry@va.gov (Calls shall not be accepted)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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DESCRIPTION

Regional Procurement Office (RPO) - East intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Alamar Biosciences, INC. 47071 Bayside PKWY, Fremont, CA 94538-6517, to purchase a High Multiplex Proteomic Platform for the Atlanta VAMC. Due to proprietary reasons, Alamar Biosciences (Small Business) manufacturer of the required high multiplexing proteomic platform, is the only authorized entity capable of providing the salient characteristics of this requirement. The award will be made IAW with FAR 6.302-1, "Only" One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

ITEM INFORMATION

Alamar ARGO HT System The ARGOr HT System is a fully automated, high-throughput precision proteomics platform for ultra-high sensitivity analysis across a range of multiplex levels to support broad biomarker profiling and translation of validated biomarkers into clinical use.

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800101

ARGO Instrument White Glove

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800130

On-Site Training NULISA (2 Day)

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800131

ARGO Installation

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800124

One Year Warranty

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800129

ARGO GOLD Service Plan

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800127

Alamar NULISAseq Inflammation Panel 250

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800103

Alamar NULISAseq CNS Disease Panel 120

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 800104

Alamar Biosciences, INC. is the original and sole manufacturer of the high multiplexing proteomic platform with an ultra-high sensitivity with lowest detection limit, compatibility with high multiplexing panel, and the use of DNA or RNA sequencing technology with a minimum sample volume of 40-80 uL. Likewise, Alamar Biosciences, INC. detects military exposures to environmental toxic elements, including the burn pit substance exposure, are now recognized as a significant and previously under-appreciated medical health problem affecting thousands of active-duty military personnel and military Veterans. Researchers at Atlanta VA submit that the eye and the brain will be among the organ systems that could be highly affected by military exposure to toxic substances both in acute intense exposure or repeated low levels exposure military operation settings. One of the researchers at the Atlanta VA has strong expertise and experience in using proteomic technology to identify biomarkers related to neurotrauma and other brain neurodegenerative diseases. The equipment to be acquired via funding from the Military Exposure Research Program (MERP) Shared Equipment Evaluation Proposal (ShEEP) award, is a high-multiplexing proteomic “liquid biopsy” platform. Having this equipment will allow the researchers to evaluate prolonged or repeated military exposures which can lead to overall systemic inflammatory response, and negatively impact specific organs such as the brain, visual system, and lung, kidney and heart. The equipment will have translational capacity – ranging from preclinical animal studies of Military exposure to human biosamples from Veterans and other subjects that might have been subjected to military exposure.

Due to the potential subtle changes of the human response proteome as detectable in blood and other biofluid samples, we require a platform of ultra-high sensitivity in the sub-femtogram/mL range. Due to the expected nervous systems and systemic perturbation, we require a high multiplexing and simultaneous detection of 100-200 markers from each of these subproteome (neurobiomarker subproteome or inflammation response subproteome). Due to the scarcity of biosamples, only a very small volume of potential biosamples might be available, we require that the platform only use less than 100 uL and concurrently measures all multiplexed markers. Due to the high multiplexing (over 100 to 200 analytes) we require the state-of-the-art DAN /RNA -seq (sequencing method to concurrently measure all multiplex analytes with high precision and reproducibility.

Salient Characteristics, High Multiplex Proteomic Platform This highly specialized piece of equipment needs to be able to:

· Ultra-high sensitivity with lowest detection limit at (zeptogram/mL, which is sub-femtogram/mL) analyte levels due to the use of combined ligation-based amplification and nucleic acid sequencing (DNA/RNAseq) technology;

· Compatibility with high multiplexing panel of neurobiomarkers subproteome as well as inflammatory markers subproteome with at least 100 analytes for each subproteome. These subproteome are highly important to the detection of how the Veterans might be affected by the burn pits and other military exposure. These neurobiomarkers cover brain injury markers, neurodegeneration markers, and also neurovascular markers, while the inflammatory panel covers 12 different pathways of cytokine and chemokine responses, acute phase response and autoimmune responses.

· The use of the DNA or RNA-Seq sequencing technology with the desired high throughput platform allowing for simultaneous quantification from 120-200 analytes all at the same time and a total time from sample loading to results time of < 24 hours.

· Due to the DNA or RNA-seq and amplification technology – the system must require minimum sample volume (40-80 µL)

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Any responsible sources who wish to identify their interest and capability to provide this equipment or equipment that is compatible must notify this Contract Specialist at Mae.McGarry@va.gov NLT Thursday, August 13, 2025 by 11:59 AM EST. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Upon receipt of the interested parties' notification, the Contracting Officer will determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement or proceed with sole source negotiations.

Special Notice