Chromium XO and accessories for the USDA, ARS, Virus and Prior Research Unit in Ames, IA

The USDA Agricultural Research Service, Virus and Prion Research Unit in Ames, Iowa is seeking quotations for a Chromium XO single cell partitioning instrument and associated sequencing library preparation kits through Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1232SA26Q0148. The procurement aims to acquire equipment capable of partitioning hundreds of thousands of cells into individually identifiable sample channels while capturing gene expression data, with functionality that replicates existing 10X Genomics Chromium equipment currently operational in a BSL-3 laboratory to enable transfer of work to a lower biosecurity level BSL-2 facility. Key requirements include the instrument must demonstrate low doublet rates and high cell capture efficiency, support future software upgrades for advanced analysis capabilities, be compatible with GEM-X microfluidic chips, and include a 12-month warranty. Evaluation will be based on technical acceptability (meeting or exceeding salient characteristics with adequate documentation), fair and reasonable pricing, and past performance ratings (acceptable, neutral, or unacceptable), with award to the highest technically rated offeror meeting pricing and performance criteria without conducting tradeoffs. Critical deadlines include April 7, 2026 for submission of questions to shelley.steen@usda.gov and April 10, 2026 for quotation submission, with prices to remain firm for 90 calendar days from offer receipt.

This acquisition is unrestricted with no small business set-aside, and while the justification documents indicate 10X Genomics, Inc. as the sole manufacturer of the Chromium X instrument, the solicitation remains open to all responsible sources. The required quantities include one Chromium XO with accessory kit, two GEM-X OCM 3' Chip Kit v4 4-plex units containing two chips each, two GEM-X Universal 3' Gene Expression v4 4-plex units, and one Dual Index Kit TT Set A (96 reactions). Delivery must be completed within 60 days of order receipt on an FOB Destination basis to USDA Building 24 located at 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010. The applicable NAICS code is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees; no specific budget range is disclosed in the solicitation materials. This is anticipated to be a noncompetitive contract action awarded on a firm-fixed price basis with one award expected.