6640-- Maldi Contract Request

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This notice does NOT constitute a request for quote (RFQ), request for proposal (RFP), or invitation for bid (IFB). No solicitation is currently available. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes to conduct market research and determine the availability and capability of qualified sources prior to determining the appropriate acquisition strategy.

I. General Information

- Agency/Office: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, TX.

- Place of Performance: VA North Texas Health Care System, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS), Microbiology Laboratory, Dallas, Texas.

- Anticipated NAICS: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (or other NAICS determined appropriate for MALDI TOF instrumentation).

- Anticipated PSC: 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.

The Government is seeking to identify responsible vendors capable of providing a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Biotyper System (MALDI TOF), brand name or equal, configured and supported as described below for use in organism identification in the Microbiology Laboratory at VANTHCS.

II. Description of Requirement

VANTHCS requires the purchase (outright equipment acquisition) of one Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Biotyper System (MALDI TOF) and associated operating software to support high throughput, rapid identification of bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Microbiology laboratory. The system will be installed on site and integrated with the existing Beckman Coulter Microscan 96 plus / LabPro MBT solution. Testing for bacteria must be FDA cleared for in vitro diagnostic use and classified as CLIA high or moderately complex testing.

The contemplated purchase includes, at a minimum:

- One MALDI TOF Biotyper instrument (true benchtop system, small footprint, approximately 165 pounds, low noise) suitable for placement on a laboratory desktop or compatible table. Â

- Instrument specific, proprietary software required for organism identification, including MBT Compass HT 1890605, MBT Explorer Module, MBT HT Mycobacteria Module, and MBT HT Subtyping Module, plus applicable proprietary software upgrades (no third party software, and hardware upgrades for compatibility are excluded). Â

- Mycobacteria Module software and any future upgrades there to be made available during the warranty period. Â

- A MALDI TOF instrument and configuration compatible with LabPro MBT for a fully automated, LIS integrated solution with existing Beckman Coulter Microscan systems, without additional middleware. Interface connectivity support and training by a Beckman Coulter Microscan Systems application specialist must be included at no additional cost to the Government. Â

- Installation, verification/validation, and initial technical assistance by the instrument manufacturer, including set up in accordance with CLIA, FDA, The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and manufacturer requirements. Â

- On site training for Clinical Laboratory Scientists in the Microbiology laboratory, including lesson plans, course materials, and training handouts for all relevant procedures at no additional cost. Â

- Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) suitable for the system. Â

- Delivery of all operational, maintenance, troubleshooting, small repair, equipment specification, and test manuals. Â

Reagents and consumable supplies will be procured separately under a different purchase agreement.

III. Salient System and Performance Characteristics

Vendors capable of providing a brand name or equal MALDI TOF Biotyper System shall demonstrate that their offered system meets or exceeds at least the following **salient** characteristics:

- System configuration Â

 - True benchtop MALDI TOF mass spectrometry system with small footprint and low noise profile, not exceeding approximately 165 pounds, suitable for standard laboratory benchtops or compatible instrument tables. Â

-Electrical Data: 220V/110V.

-LXWXH :500X710X1070 mm (19.7 X 28.0 X42.2 inches).

- Weight:75kg (165.4 lbs) net weight.

- Temperature Range:16-30 degree Celsius. Operating Humidity:20-75% non-condensing.

 - Integrated ion source cleaning capability. Â

 - High capacity vacuum system enabling fast target exchange and minimized downtime following maintenance. Â

- Operational performance Â

 - Random access operation; samples must not be restricted to batch only testing. Â

 - Capability to perform testing for bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria. Â

 - Ability to identify bacteria in less than one hour from prepared target to result, under normal operating conditions. Â

 - Testing for bacteria is FDA cleared for in vitro diagnostic use and classified as CLIA high or moderately complex. Â

- Software, LIS and interface Â

 - Built in instrument software that is directly compatible with, and provides a fully automated, LIS integrated solution with, the existing Beckman Coulter Microscan 96 plus / LabPro MBT without the need for separate middleware. Â

 - Provision of latest LabPro MBT compatible software and reference libraries (including fungi and mycobacteria libraries). Â

 - Interfacing of the MALDI TOF system with the existing Beckman Coulter Microscan systems, including all required configuration and testing, at no additional cost to the Government. Â

IV. Submission Instructions

Interested and capable vendors should submit an electronic capability statement and include the place of manufacture for all equipment and reagents via email in PDF or Word format by April 21, 2026 by 9:00 AM Central Standard Time.

- Teresa Arzola Â

- Email: Teresa.arzola@va.gov Â

- Subject line: Sources Sought MALDI TOF Biotyper System VA North Texas HCS Â

No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Responses received will be used solely for market research and planning purposes to assist the Government in determining an appropriate acquisition strategy (e.g., small business set aside or unrestricted).

Submission of a capability statement is voluntary and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract, nor will the Government pay for information submitted in response to this Sources Sought.