A.02 Request for Information FAST 2MAR26.docx

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) NOTIFICIATION TO INCLUDE INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

RFI Number: HT9426-26-RFI-3175

Requiring Activity Name: Walter Reed Army Institute for Research (WRAIR) Medical Readiness Systems Biology Branch (MRSBB)

Contracting Office: Defense Health Agency Contacting Activity (DHACA)

Title: The purchase of a FORMULATRIX F.A.S.T. Liquid Handler, a liquid transfer system, compatible with the. The F.A.S.T. Instrument V2 with 96-channel head includes integrated controlling software and associated license, F.A.S.T. OLINK Installation Qualifications/F.A.S.T. Operational Qualifications, Plate Adapters, 110-240V power supply, and on-site user training.

Summary: This RFI/ SS Notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or serve as an obligation on the part of WRAIR MRSBB or the DHACA. responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are advised that the United States Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI/SS will be solely at the interested responder’s expense. Not responding to this RFI/SS does not preclude participation in any future Request for Proposal, if any is issued. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to Responders responding to this RFI/SS.

The information resulting from this RFI/SS will determine interest and capabilities available in the marketplace; and will assist in developing acquisition strategy.

Background/Scope: The WRAIR MRSBB is seeking to purchase a FORMULATRIX F.A.S.T. Liquid Handler, a liquid transfer system. The F.A.S.T. Instrument V2 with 96-channel head includes integrated controlling software and associated license, F.A.S.T. OLINK Installation Qualifications/F.A.S.T. Operational Qualifications, Plate Adapters, 110-240V power supply, and on-site user training and is and is compatible with OLINK Signature Q100 instruments currently in use by the WRAIR MSRBB.

The NAICS code for this requirement 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. Only capability statements and/or fact sheet will be accepted.

How to Respond:

Review the attached Minimum Essential Characteristics (MECs). Respondents should address how they best can fulfil the requirements set forth in the MECs in their capabilities statement. Capability Statements or any other proprietary information relative to this RFI/SS should adhere to the following formatting and outline instructions:

1. All submissions shall be made electronically and be in one of the following formats: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF and shall not exceed 3 pages (Cover page excluded from page count).

2. Cover Page

• Responders technical and administrative points of contact (names, addresses, phone, fax number and email addresses)

Address whether the respondent is offering similar or like services in the commercial market to the general public.

If you are an authorized 3rd-party vendor of an item that meets the required MECs via a mandatory source (GSA, AbilityOne, UNICOR, etc.) in accordance with FAR part 8, please provide the applicable contract information.

3. Please note that the response shall provide sufficient technical data to determine how you fully meet the requirements as specified in the MECs.

Please note that responses are due no later than 10 MAR 2026 10am Eastern Standard Time (EST). The requested information shall be submitted via email. The point of contact for this action is Herbert Caj Keen, Contract Specialist herbert.e.keen.civ@health.mil and Lance Nowell, Contracting Officer, lance.l.nowell.civ@health.mil. Only electronic responses are requested.

The Government will not entertain questions regarding this RFI/SS. All responses received will be considered; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

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A01-DHA MECs - FORMULATRIX F.A.S.T. Liquid Handler.docx Minimum Essential Characteristics (MECs)

FORMULATRIX Flow Axial Seal Tip (F.A.S.T.) Liquid Handler

· Shall be no more than 532mm (W) x 403mm (H) x 596mm (D) in dimensions.

· Shall not weight over 18kg.

· Shall have a small footprint suitable for desktop use but is also open for integration into larger automated systems.

· Allows for rapid and efficient transfer of liquids in 96-well or 384-well plates, and other formats.

· Capable of dispensing volumes from 0.1 µL to 13 µL with high precision and accuracy, minimizing reagent usage. Transfer precision of 5% coefficient of variation (CV) at 0.1 µL.

· Shall offer both low volume (0.1-13 µL) and high volume (0.5-50 µL) tips, compatible with various plate types on a single head unit.

· Shall have multiple transfer modes allowing to support tasks like simple transfers, plate copies, cherry-picking, serial dilutions, and more.

· Shall include tip position sensors, automatic tip arrangement, and collision detection for reliable and accurate transfers.

· Shall offer an open Application Programming Interface (API) for easy integration with other laboratory automation systems.

· Shall utilize positive displacement disposable tips to ensure the integrity of samples without any risk of cross-contamination.

· Shall provide contact dispensing and have wide viscosity range.

· Shall allow for interchangeable decks allow for set up of tips, plates, and reagents prior to working on the instrument.

· Shall allow for semi or fully automated labware definitions and calibration.

· Shall allow for automated audit trails.

· Shall include Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 compatible Debian Linux on board computer.

· Shall allow for web browser-based operational controls such as Google Chrome version 91 or higher or other compatible internet browser interface.

· Shall be compatible with Integrated Fluidic Circuits (IFCs) 192.24, 96.96, 48.84.

· Shall be a validated solution for Olink IFCs and Proximity Extension Assay (PEA) Target and Explore workflows including Target 48 and 96, Explore 3072, and Explore-High Throughput (HT) kits.

· Shall allow for both Olink pre and post workflows.

· Shall include Olink Protocol bundles, Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and new install training.

· Shall be shipped and delivered to Robert Grant Ave, BLDG 503-Ground West 47, Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500