Illumina GCBC NextSeq2000 DNA Sequencer

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate a contract on a sole source basis with Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA. The purpose of the contract is for the contractor to supply the Illumina NextSeq2000 DNA sequencer to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Genomics and Computational Biology Core (GCBC).

The GCBC performs sequencing, genome-wide linkage scans, whole-exome variant detection studies and RNA expression array studies using primarily Illumina equipment. A key aspect of all this work is the high-throughput and high quality nature of the sequence data to best accommodate the requirements of project milestones. The NextSeq2000 DNA sequencer reduces the per-read cost of sequencing as well as offering substantial savings in Maintenance agreements. The NextSeq2000 is also easier to operate, requiring less hands-on time than our present NextSeq500 DNA sequencer. Illumina is the only company that manufactures Sequencing by Synthesis (SBS) chemistry and builds the machines capable of resolving SBS samples. The Genomics and Computational Biology Core has operated an Illumina HiSeq instrument for > 3years and has invested substantial money, time and effort in projects that utilize SBS chemistry.

Responses

The proposed acquisition action is for items and services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b). If you believe you can provide the items or services, please forward capability statements to john.alozie@nih.gov by 5pm (ET) on Monday, May 11, 2020 and reference solicitation number NIHOLAO-OD3-NOI-5700694.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract acquisition based upon responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

Any solicitation resulting from the analysis of information obtained will be announced to the public in Federal Business Opportunities in accordance with the FAR Part 5. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).