BioMérieux Masterclave 528

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to negotiate solely with Biomerieux, Inc. 100 Rodolphe Street, Durham, North Carolina 27712 to obtain the following supplies for the USDA FSIS Mid-Western Lab:

Masterclave 528 media sterilizing unit

The Government intends to purchase supplies and services from Biomerieux, Inc. for a Masterclave 528 media preparation unit, capable of preparing, sterilizing, and cooling liquid microbiological media in the capacity range of twenty-eight (28) liters.  The unit is on a wheeled frame for ease of transport, is capable of sterile pumping of the media directly to samples or another vessel.  The sterilizer has a locking mechanism which is dependent on temperature and pressure for safe operation.  The unit uses over pressure to prevent boil over/foaming of liquids.  The control panel is located on top of the instrument and has a large display window indicating current functions.  Dispensing can be done with peristaltic pump or pressure. The stir speed will vary at the end of the cycle as volume decreases to avoid foaming.  There are multiple heating/sterilization programs available and audible end cycle alarms.  There is a RS232 port for diagnostic capabilities.  A printer or USB port is included for data recording. Installation shall include hook-up to all utilities.  Second business day service is required for repair of  malfunctioning equipment by an ISO certified repair technician.

The lab is accredited to ISO 17025, and a requirement to maintain the ISO accreditation is procurement, installation, and calibration of sterilization equipment by an ISO certified company.  The sterilizers require the placement of hardware and software that is proprietary to the company.  It will require calibration and programming that can only be provided by company representatives.  Biomerieux is the only known source which can provide the required services to the current requirements. This procurement will be conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and no Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements Citation: 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1).

The approximate dollar value under consideration is $31,709.26.

  The contractor shall provide the following deliverables:

• One Masterclave 528 Media Preparation Unit          
• Installation
• 1 year warranty including parts and labor
• Second business day repair

This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Request for copies of this solicitation will not be honored or acknowledged. The Government does not intend to pay for information received. All interested parties must respond within five (5) calendar days from the date of this notice. Written responses must provide clear and concise documentation indicating your firm's capability to provide the proprietary services. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. When responding to this announcement, respondents should refer to announcement #123A9421Q0009. If no viable responses have been received in response after Friday, February 26, 2021, 5:00 pm E.S.T. to this announcement, USDA/FSIS shall negotiate solely with Biomerieux, Inc.