SATPC0041259 Tab 10 BNJ Redacted.pdf

This is a Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name document from NASA's Shared Services Center.

NASA seeks to procure an annual renewal of the Illumina NextSeq 1000 Bronze Support Plan from Illumina, the sole source vendor. The estimated period of performance runs from July 9, 2026, through July 8, 2027. The support plan is critical for maintaining sample processing and workflow operations for the NASA Space Microbial Culture Collection (SMCC) project, which utilizes the Illumina NextSeq 1000 benchtop sequencing system as a next-generation sequencing platform. The Bronze Support Plan provides comprehensive coverage for parts, labor, and technical support to ensure continuous instrument access, minimize workflow disruptions, and maintain optimal equipment performance.

The justification for sole source procurement emphasizes that competition is impractical due to NASA's substantial prior investment in the Illumina NextSeq 1000 sequencing system. Using an alternate support plan vendor or brand would be operationally cost- and time-prohibitive, as it could jeopardize the continuity of NASA's existing equipment investment and the SMCC project's operations. The document notes that NASA has already spent considerable funds on the sequencing system procurement, and pursuing an alternative support plan would present both operational and financial risks.