RFI.docx

Request for Information (RFI) GEIS Network Illumina Sequencing Platform Modernization

General Information:

This is an RFI as defined in FAR 15.101(c) to ascertain whether a commercial item exists that provides the capabilities described herein.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI will be treated as business-confidential information. Nonetheless, submitters should properly mark their responses if the information is confidential. Response to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

RFI Response and due date: 29 May 2026, by 8:00 A.M. EST.

Instructions to Responders:

Responses from all capable and qualified sources are encouraged to respond to this request.

White papers 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.

2. Cover Page (1page)

· Title

· Organization

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

· Topic area(s) addressed

3. Completed Attachment 1, and Attachment 2. Please note that the response shall provide sufficient technical data to determine how you fully meet the requirements as specified in Attachment 2 below.

Please note that responses are due no later than 29 May 2026, by 8:00 A.M. EST. The preferred method of submission is via email. The point of contact for this action is Jeffrey Sprecher, Contract Specialist, Email: jeffrey.b.sprecher.civ@health.mil. Only electronic responses are requested. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents. At this time no solicitation exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. It is the responsibility of any potential offeror to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

Background/Overview:

The Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Branch of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division (AFHSD) has a need to replace existing MiSeq (RUO), MiniSeq and iSeq100 sequencers across the global GEIS partner laboratory network. Upgrading the existing sequencers with the Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus Next-Generation Sequencing systems will ensure continuity of the global public health surveillance mission. The MiSeq i100 is the manufacturer's designated replacement for the legacy systems and includes onboard DRAGEN secondary analysis and room-temperature stable reagents, which significantly mitigates cold chain logistics for partner laboratories. The Illumina MiSeq i100 integrates the proprietary DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform directly onboard the instrument. This unique capability allows for secondary data analysis to be performed locally on the device itself, eliminating the need for immediate data transfer to external computational resources or a cloud-based architecture. This is a key feature for the AFHSD, as it allows the instrument to operate within a contained, air-gapped security environment. This drastically simplifies the Risk Management Framework process and is essential for obtaining an Authority to Operate.

Illumina is the sole manufacturer of the MiSeq i100 and associated reagents. The rationale is based on Illumina’s proprietary technology, which is essential for data continuity, and its unique system architecture, which is critical for operation within the Department of War’s (DoW) secure environment.

Proprietary Technology Ecosystem and Data Continuity: The cornerstone of this justification is Illumina’s proprietary Sequencing by Synthesis chemistry. This technology is fundamentally different from that of competitors, resulting in a unique data format and error profile. The Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus operates on Illumina’s proprietary XLEAP-SBS (Sequencing by Synthesis) chemistry. This technology utilizes a patented method involving fluorescently labeled, reversible dye-terminators. During the sequencing process, engineered polymerases incorporate all four nucleotides (A, C, T, G) simultaneously into a growing DNA strand. Because all four nucleotides are present and competing for the active site, incorporation bias is minimized. Once a base is incorporated, the reversible terminator prevents further strand extension until an optical sensor records the fluorescent signal, after which the terminator is chemically cleaved to allow the next cycle.

Illumina holds exclusive, fundamental patents on specific nucleotide linkers, engineered polymerases, and fluorescent dyes that constitute XLEAP-SBS chemistry. Consequently, it is legally impossible for a third-party vendor to manufacture or offer this specific chemistry. Furthermore, the XLEAP-SBS polymerases have been structurally engineered to remain highly stable at ambient temperatures. This proprietary bioengineering is the exclusive mechanism that allows the MiSeq i100 Plus reagents to be shipped and stored without a cold chain (freezers/dry ice). Competing chemistries rapidly degrade at room temperature and cannot support the logistical realities of the GEIS network's austere, forward-deployed OCONUS laboratories

Unique Capability for Secure DoW Operations (Onboard DRAGEN): The Illumina MiSeq i100 integrates the proprietary DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform directly onboard the instrument. Genomic sequencing generates massive raw data files (Base Call or BCL files). Transmitting these large files from austere, forward-deployed OCONUS laboratories over constrained military network bandwidth to a centralized server or cloud environment for secondary analysis often takes days or fails entirely due to network timeouts. By performing this analysis directly on the instrument, the MiSeq i100 Plus reduces the data footprint by up to 80% and cuts the time-to-answer from multiple days to approximately to hours. DRAGEN allows for secondary data analysis to be performed locally on the device itself, eliminating the need for immediate data transfer to external computational resources or a cloud-based architecture. This is a key feature for the DoW, as it allows the instrument to operate within a contained, air-gapped security environment. This drastically simplifies the Risk Management Framework process and is essential for obtaining Authority to Operate. No other vendor in this market segment offers a comparable, fully integrated, onboard analysis solution.

(End)

Attachment 1.

RFI Number

Company Name

Company Address

Point of Contact

Phone Number

E-mail Address

Tax Identification Number (TIN)

DUNS

Company Web Page

Company Location(s)

Company is / is not a Small Business

Company is / is not SAM Registered

Company is / is not ORCA Registered

Other Classifications (e.g. 8(a), HubZone, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned)

Product is/is not manufactured by a small business

The proposed product is/is not available on Army Computer Hardware Enterprise Software Solutions (CHESS), at www.chess.army.mil

The proposed product is/is not available on General Service Administration (GSA), at www.gsaadvantage.gov

The proposed product is/is not available on NASA Solutions Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP), at www.sewp.nasa.gov.

Proposed product is/is not TAA Compliant

Place of manufacture

Description of Products or Services that are Already Delivered to Customers Today, and Could be Comparable to what is Requested in this RFI

List of Customers using Comparable Products or Services (including contact information)

List of Customers using your Products or Services today, Although they are not Comparable with what is Requested in this RFI (including contact information)

Numbers of Years Product or Services on the Market and in use by Customers

Conditions that’s Listed in the RFI and can’t be met

Estimate of on-going Year Maintenance Cost

Other Solution Information Pertinent to this RFI for Government Consideration

Attachment 2.

The requirements listed in the table below shall be accommodated by the responder offering MiSeq i100 Plus sequencing instruments, with all necessary equipment, software, reagents, consumables, training, and technical service. Please indicate Y (yes) or N (No) if your system meets each requirement in the requirements list below, and use the comments column to further justify how your product meets the requirement.

REQUIREMENTS/ SPECIFICATIONS

Meets Requirement?

(Y/N) Comments

- 2 -