Food Safety Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Systems

The Food and Drug Administration seeks newly manufactured, latest-model real-time PCR systems compatible with Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System assays, with proposals due June 26, 2026. The procurement is unrestricted and available to full and open competition, including small business.

Place of performance is Jefferson, Arkansas, with delivery to 11 specified FDA laboratory locations across the United States. Delivery must occur within 120 days of contract award.

The FDA intends to award a single firm fixed-price IDIQ contract with a base year and four one-year option years. The base year requires 20 PCR systems with 11 familiarization training sessions (up to 4 users per lab) and shipping/handling; option years 1–4 require 15, 5, 5, and 5 systems respectively with corresponding training and shipping. Minimum quantity is 1 unit; maximum is 50 units across the full contract period.

Technical requirements specify systems must detect a minimum of six distinct targets simultaneously, feature at least six decoupled excitation and emission filter channels with 21 filter combinations capability, support multiple fluorescent dyes, achieve 1.5-fold sensitivity detection, maintain 10-log dynamic range, include 96-well and 384-well block formats with six independent temperature control zones, operate from 4°C to 99.9°C, support USB/Wi-Fi/LAN connectivity with cloud platform capability, include an 8.5-inch touchscreen interface, provide multi-level user access controls and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, and complete 96-well 0.2 mL thermal cycling in less than 30 minutes. Complete systems must include all necessary supplies and consumables, one laptop computer (if PC-attached), user manuals, IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, training for up to four users, and a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty. Price quotes must be FOB destination inclusive of inside delivery, installation, training, and all associated charges.

NAICS code is 334513; small business size standard is 750 employees. Evaluation weighs technical acceptability more heavily than price. Offerors must submit a small business subcontracting plan and Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Report, and must be registered and active in SAM at proposal submission. Questions and proposals go to howard.nesmith@fda.hhs.gov.