Maintenance Service Contract for Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq

DESCRIPTION  

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LBMB), intends to procure preventive maintenance  support services on a sole source basis from Illumina Inc. 

This procurement is being conducted using commercial item procedures pursuant to FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13, specifically FAR Subpart13.106-1(b)(1)(i) allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source. 

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a Severable Firm-fixed price type contract with one base period and  four option periods.  

It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement.

BACKGROUND

The Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LBMB) carries out basic research into the mechanisms underlying cell growth, division, differentiation and homeostasis with a focus on the biology of chromosomes and the cell nucleus. LBMB fosters an interdisciplinary approach in which the methods of biophysics, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology are used in an interactive and collaborative research environment to solve problems of fundamental importance to cancer research. As part of this research, Next Generation Sequencing (high throughput genome-wide sequencing) is routinely performed to investigate questions relating to epigenetic regulation of the genome. The MiSeq and NextSeq machines are manufactured by Illumina and are used to obtain sequencing data for in depth genome-wide analyses.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a full coverage maintenance service contract covering an Illumina NextSeq500 and a MiSeq instrument. The instruments are specialized equipment used to perform whole genome high throughput sequencing and are essential for the daily research activities at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The service will ensure that the MiSeq and NextSeq machines will remain operational, repaired as needed, and receive all necessary software and hardware upgrades. This acquisition will include free replacement consumables in the event of hardware failures and technical support by phone available 8am – 5pm, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide full coverage for all labor, material, travel and equipment necessary to maintain and provide preventive maintenance for the Government-owned high throughput sequencing MiSeq (serial number M00299) and NextSeq 500 (serial number NB501557) machines. All maintenance service shall be performed on-site in accordance with the manufacturer’s standard commercial maintenance practices. Coverage includes free reagent replacement upon hardware failure, one preventive maintenance visit, remote email and phone technical support 8am – 5pm, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, two business day on-site support, software and hardware updates and on-site application support.

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS 

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

Preventative Maintenance Inspections

The Contractor shall perform one (1) preventive maintenance inspections (PMI) during the contract period. Technically qualified factory-trained personnel shall perform service.  Service shall consist of a thorough cleaning, calibration, adjusting, inspection, and testing of all equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s latest established service procedures.  All equipment shall be operationally tested at the end of the preventive maintenance inspection to assure optimum and efficient performance.

Replacement Parts

The Contractor shall furnish all required replacement parts at no additional cost to the Government. Parts shall be new or re-manufactured to original equipment specifications. Hardware updates will be provided.

Software Updates/service

The Contractor shall provide software service and updates in accordance with the manufacturer’s latest established service procedures, to include email and telephone access to technical support for use of program software and troubleshooting of the sequencing runs (18x5), at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall receive advance approval for the installation of all software updates and revisions from the Government. Defective software shall be replaced at no additional cost to the Government.

Personnel Requirements

Technically qualified factory-trained personnel shall perform service to the MiSeq and NextSeq 500 machines as covered by this contract. All primary service personnel shall have at least one backup support person with at least the same level of expertise on the equipment as covered by this contract.            

TYPE OF ORDER

This is a severable Firm Fixed Price purchase order. 

The services acquired under this contract are severable services.  Funds are only available for use for the contract line item (CLIN) to which they are obligated.  Unused funds from one CLIN may not rollover for use in other periods.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be one 12 month base period with four 12 month option periods.

Base Period: August 15, 2020 through August 14, 2021

Option Period One: August 15, 2021 through August 14, 2022

Option Period Two:  August 15, 2022 through August 14, 2023

Option Period Three: August 15, 2023 through August 14, 2024

Option Period Four: August 15, 2024 through August 14, 2025

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Onsite services shall be performed at the following location:

            NIH, NCI 

            37 Convent Drive

            Bldg 37, Room 6056B

            Bethesda, MD  20892

This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement.  Responses must be received in the contracting office by 12:00 PM EST on August 10, 2020.  All responses and questions must be emailed to Jolomi Omatete, Contracting Officer via electronic mail at Jolomi. Omatete@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon 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. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) through sam.gov. Reference: NOI_75N91020Q00098 on all correspondence.