Sources Sought - Final.pdf

Sources Sought (SS)

Title: Short-Read Next-Generation DNA Sequencing System

ID: NIAID-SS-24-2225904

Post Date: August 13, 2024 Response Date: August 20, 2024 Classification Code: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies NAICS: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Introduction This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

Project Summary The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Laboratory for Viral Diseases (LVD) is seeking to acquire a highly accurate, next-generation sequencing instrument, which will enhance the Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit’s (QVEU) capacity for rare variant discovery and will also result in better sensitivity with up to 4-fold less sequencing. The intended outcome of this acquisition is to procure a high performance next-generation DNA-sequencer. The system must have the characteristics outlined in the Statement of Need below.

This statement of needs is for the procurement of a benchtop short-read sequencing platform and a compatible instrument capable of producing on-flow cell clusters for single-end and paired-end sequencing applications. Specific requirements include:

• The system must allow high levels of accuracy (≥ 90% at a Next-Generation Sequencing quality score of Q40 or 1 error in 10,000 bases), resulting in an enhanced capacity for rare variant discovery and overall better sensitivity with less sequencing.

• The platform must have library conversion kits to enable the sequencing of existing P5/P7 libraries (Illumina-generated, currently used in the lab). This will allow researchers to use their existing libraries without having to re-prepare them.

• The system must be able to detect variants down to 0.001% without the use of unique molecular indices (UMIs) for error-correction in certain amplicon-based samples.

• The system’s software pipeline should preferably be designed to be compatible with existing short-read ecosystems and include optional on-board demultiplexing of barcoded samples.

• Sequencer dimensions must be no larger than (W x D x H): 37 in x 27 in x 30 in

• Cluster generator dimensions must be no larger than (W x D x H): 16 in x 26 in x 18 in.

• Preferred computation capabilities of Network connection of 1 Gbps o Instrument control computer with Windows 10 Enterprise operating system o Output file size of 80-110 GB.

• An analysis PC with preferred dimensions (W x D x H): 8 in x 18.4 in x 18.1 in

• Instrument installation must be included.

• Procurement must include on-site instrument and application training by a Field Applications Specialist for a group of 10 researchers for up to 3 days. This training includes the necessary reagents and consumables.

• Procurement must include a warranty of at least 12 months.

Anticipated Period of Performance It is anticipated that an award will be made on or about September 27, 2024.

Capability Statement/Information Sought If your organization has the potential capacity to provide the required equipment and services which meet the minimum requirements and performance capabilities listed, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI number.

2. Company location(s) and number of years company has been in business.

3. Type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Other than Small, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code

4. Type of ownership for the organization

5. Identification of any Best-In-Class contract vehicles including Government Wide

Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) (e.g., GSA schedule) they may possess or are aware of that would support this possible requirement. If your organization does not provide the products/services under a GWAC, please identify availability as OPEN MARKET

ONLY.

6. Tailored capability statement addressing the capability of the equipment to meet NIAID’s minimum requirements. Capability document must be no more than six pages.

7. Place of manufacture for the equipment.

8. Evidence that the organization is an authorized reseller or manufacturer of the equipment. Authorized resellers must identify the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the equipment proposed in their capability statement. Only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products are acceptable.

9. Please describe any customary commercial contract terms or conditions that you feel would make any resulting contract more effective if applicable.

10. Published price lists for your products. If commercially available list pricing is not available, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude.

Submission Instructions Interested businesses who consider themselves qualified to provide the above listed equipment are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by August 20, 2024, at 3:00 PM ET. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to matt.lear@nih.gov.

Disclaimer and Important Notes This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).