High Throughput Sequencing Reagents and Positive Controls

The Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC) intends to negotiate a single-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract on a sole source basis (in accordance with FAR Part 13.106-1(b)). The proposed source is the Illumina Inc., 5200 Illumina Way, San Diego, CA 92122-4616.

This requirement is for nucleic acid sequencing reagents and positive controls for Illumina sequencers MiSeq, iSeq, NextSeq and NovaSeq6000 sequencing instruments. These systems are designed to multiplex samples, meaning multiple samples are sequenced on a single instrument at the same time, greatly increasing the efficiency of the instrument and technician time and greatly increasing the number of samples that can be sequenced. NMRC-BDRD’s mission requires the rapid, efficient genomic characterization of biological threats to US military personnel, therefore these High Throughput Sequencing systems, which are the industry leader in the workflow requirement, need to be utilized and are the DoD-accepted standard for HTS. HTS are routinely used as needed, during the three-year ordering period for Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), Biological Defense Research Directorate (BDRD), Fort Detrick, Maryland.

Illumina Inc. is the sole manufacturer of the MiSeq, iSeq, NextSeq and NovaSeq6000 sequencing instruments routinely used at NMRC-BDRD. These instruments can only utilize patented nucleic acid sequencing reagents produced by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Illumina Inc. The Illumina systems utilize technology that generates very accurate data, greater than 99.9% accuracy, which no other system can approach.  This accuracy is needed to identify specific mutations that can affect countermeasures used by US military personnel to detect and treat the pathogen.    Based on the above information, the sequencing instruments are only provided by Illumina, Inc. See attachment (NOI-High Throughput Sequencing Reagents and Positive Controls) for Sequencing Reagents list. 

Specific deliveries will be outlined in a delivery order with shipments made to Fort Detrick Maryland.

This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Parts 12, 13.5 and 15. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 334516 with a  Size Standard of 1000. 

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement.  However, respondents shall have the capability of providing sufficient number of HTS kits to accommodate approximate 26 tests per month for a period of up to three years.  All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. Capability statements shall not exceed two (8.5 x 11 inch) pages, recommend using a Times New Roman font size 11-point or 12-point font.  A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source procurement. Capability statements are due by 1600 Local Time, December 15, 2022. Capability statements shall be submitted by email ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following e-mail address: marchaunda.l.tiller.civ@health.mil. No phone calls will be accepted.