NextSeq 550 Sequencing System

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. This procurement will be processed pursuant to FAR part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. No solicitation will be issued.
All responsible sources who believe they can provide the services listed may submit, in writing to the identified point of contact, a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. Responses are to be received within 10 days of this notice. No telephone calls are being accepted.
The United States Department Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Island Animal Disease in Orient, NY, intends to negotiate and award to Illumina, Inc. on a Sole Source basis for NextSeq 550 Sequencing System. Contract type will be a Firm Fixed Price for a period of performance of approximately two months. NAICS Code is 334516.
Award is In accordance with both 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i)
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The USDA, ARS, Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in Orient Point, NY, requires an additional next generation sequencing (NGS) system, Illumina NextSeq550. Currently we are undergoing large sequencing efforts for PIADCs biorepository characterization for transfer to NBAF. We require that this NGS be compatible with both our analysis software (basespace) that is propriety software, and with hi throughput paired reads, with a low error rate.

Illumina is the only manufacturer and distributor for Illumina NGS technology. This technology is covered by a wide range of patents and cannot be replicated by other vendors.

Illumina is only manufacturer and has a patent for the benchmark of NGS, which can do paired end reads, this is important as by pairing reads you can virtually eliminate errors that occur with other technologies. We are currently using a Nextseq500, having an additional machine will allow increased capacity using the same protocols, reagents and the same workflow. Including being compatible with our current analysis software that is patented by Illumina technologies (basespace). Currently Illumina holds all the patents for this technology. In addition we have purchased specialized tools for our NextSeq500 that are required for calibration and set-up that can be utilized on this machine. Tools have to be purchased as the machine will reside in a BSL3 laboratory.

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