Automated liquid handling system

Added: Jul 30, 2015 12:13 pm Modified: Aug 04, 2015 1:03 pmTrack Changes Mod #001 is being issued to clarify the following:

The award will be for a demonstration unit.

Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, MSA intends to award a sole source procurement to Eppendorf North America 102 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York, 11788 as they are the sole source for this type of system, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy agency Requirements. The award will be for an epM5073 automated liquid handling system (pipetting robot) for nucleic acid preparation (this is a demonstration unit).
Specially, our research requires thousands of marker assays in a very short window of time as part of our marker assisted selection program in maize. This system allows the researcher to extract DNA and run marker assays, in as efficient and fast a manner as possible; as required to provide this information to the breeders before pollination time, saving them hundreds of man-hours in the field. In order to perform DNA extractions and SNP marker assays more efficiently, our research has required us to move to 384 well plate assays, using very small volumes. It is not possible for a human to pipette by hand such large numbers and small volumes without introducing a lot of error. This system will expand our capabilities and efficiency of our existing equipment, which is a manual 96 - tip pipette system. The automated liquid handling system is required to pipet very small volumes between 384 well plates, between 384 and 96 well plates, and between reservoirs and 96 or 384 well plates, without introducing error. This system is also required to function unassisted. Our research requires us to use tips for the same plate of DNA for all steps of the process from DNA dilution to PCR, therefore the tips must be interchangeable between the this system and our existing equipment.
The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about August 17, 2015, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This Notice of Intent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 4:00PM central time, August 14, 2015. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries should be mailed to the Contracting Officer at the following address:

Contracting Office Address:
USDA-ARS-Western Business Service Center
P.O. Box 225
Stoneville, MS. 38776-0225