Statement of Need.-ABI3500.pdf

STATEMENT OF NEED

Applied Biosystems 3500

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 BACKGROUND

The NWFSC Marine Forensics lab provides casework analysis for NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE). OLE relies on the Marine Forensic Laboratory to provide DNA and morphological analyses, written reports, and expert testimony in support of criminal and civil investigations. OLE is charged with enforcing federal laws on endangered species take, seafood mislabeling, and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. This request is to purchase one Genetic Analyzer in order to maintain the high quality and timely work product for NOAA Fisheries. The Genetic Analyzer must be compatible with existing laboratory workflows and reagents, and include a contract for on-site service.

1.2 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this request is to purchase one, refurbished, Genetic Analyzer for the NWFSC Marine Forensic Laboratory in Charleston, SC. We require that this Genetic Analyzer be capable of producing DNA sequence data via the Sanger sequencing method, and have the potential for genotyping via microsatellite fragment analysis, to maintain and improve our capacity for processing NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) Forensic DNA casework. The current ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer in the Charleston forensic lab is out-of-date and no longer supported by the manufacturer. We need to replace our out-of-date Genetic Analyzer to prevent a disruption in casework analysis for NOAA OLE. In addition, we require the Genetic Analyzer and components in our Charleston, SC laboratory to be the same as that in Seattle, WA in order to increase our sample throughput, standardize forensic DNA protocols, and simplify troubleshooting.

2.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

We require a capillary electrophoresis-based instrument (ABI 3500) that will perform DNA Sanger sequencing as well have the potential to do fragment analysis (sizing) of samples should that need arise in the future. The genetic analyzer must be compatible with existing workflows and reagents in both the Charleston and Seattle laboratories.

● Shall be capable of running sequencing and fragment analysis samples at the same time (i.e.

using the same reagents and capillary)

● Shall be capable of running at least 8 samples simultaneously

● Shall be capable of tracking reagent use and lot numbers for forensic case reports

● Software shall be capable of secure access and provide an audit trail for forensic use

● Shall include computer (minimum Windows 10 for IT compliance) and software for analysis of DNA sequences (i.e. Sequencing Analysis Software).

● Software for producing genotype data from fragment analysis data is not necessary at this time, but the software shall be able to be modified for fragment analysis should the need arise.

● For data compatibility with legacy databases, the instrument shall be capable of detecting a minimum of four fluorescent dyes simultaneously for DNA sequencing and five fluorescent dyes for fragment analysis

● Shall be compatible with ABI BigDye v1.1/v3.1 sequencing chemistry and workflow

● Individual instrument reagents and components (capillary, buffer, polymer, etc) shall be able to be replaced separately from one another as they expire.

● Includes shipping and on-site instrument installation plus initial training

● May be a refurbished instrument

● Shall include on-site instrument and associated computer maintenance service/warranty for one-year past purchase date.

● Four additional option years for on-site preventative maintenance/service contract.

● Response time for service calls must be within 48 hours, and service must occur on site.

● Service calls as needed to address instrument malfunction. These calls must have a priority

(<48 hours) response time.

3.0 DELIVERABLES & SCHEDULE

The ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer items will be delivered by September 24, 2022 or sooner.

The Bill of Lading for freight charges is required. Service contract option years will be delivered as detailed in the “Period of performance” section.

4.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Date of award for one year plus 4 options for a annual preventative maintenance/service contract.

5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance will be at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center / Conservation Biology Division / Marine Forensic Laboratory, Charleston, SC.

See full addresses below:

NOAA/NMFS/NWFSC Marine Forensic Laboratory 331 Fort Johnson Road Charleston, SC 29412-9110

6.0 POINT OF CONTACT – TBD upon award

7.0 SECURITY

● Personnel performing work shall wear visible identification at all times when physically within Government facilities or on Government premises.

● Personnel performing work will work on-site.

● Personnel performing work will require access to NOAA facilities.

● Personnel performing work will not require a PIV or CAC.

● Personnel performing work will not require a NOAA email address.

● Personnel performing work will require use of DOC owned IT Equipment (Laptop, Desktop Computer).

● Personnel performing work will not require Non-Government IT equipment to interconnect to a DOC network.

● Personnel performing work will not require access to non-public DOC/NOAA data.

8.0 DATA PRIVACY

Should work on this agreement require that personnel have access to Privacy information, personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable agency rules and regulations.

Data created, obtained and collected during the performance of this agreement is the property of NMFS. Data may not be released by any party without written consent from the NMFS POC.

Data must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Personnel must comply with all Federal, DOC, NOAA, and NMFS policies relating to IT and data security.

9.0 NON-PERSONAL SERVICE

Personnel performing services under this order will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Personnel will perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S. Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

The NMFS will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.