Notice of Intent To Award Sole Source Contract; MolecuLight i:X System

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED.  THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) intends to negotiate a one-time, sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to the MolecuLight Corp., (CAGE Code 8TQN9), 2403 Sidney Street, Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203.  The Government intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

This notice will be distributed solely through the SAM.gov website.  Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the SAM.gov website to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about the acquisition.  The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516: Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing; and the Product Service Code is 6640: Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.

The Laboratory Division (LD), Scientific Response and Analysis Unit (SRAU) is responsible for developing the FBI’s capabilities for the collection of evidence in terrorism, criminal, and intelligence investigations involving hazardous materials such as chemical and biological warfare agents, nuclear materials, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives.  The work within the SRAU is highly technical and requires staff members to be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to support site safety, and the presumptive identification and characterization of hazardous evidence.  The SRAU has a requirement for a deployable, non-contact, lightweight, handheld detector of biological material, (bacteria, spores, viruses), on surfaces at crime scenes in support of criminal and intelligence investigations.  The detection and isolation of the surface contamination directs the traditional swabbing collection and eventual laboratory culture and identification. This process reduces potential downrange exposure to toxic pathogens and improves operational efficiency. 

The FBI intends to award a non-competitive, sole-source contract to MolecuLight Corp. for three (3) MolecuLight i:X Systems, which will be procured under FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.  The FBI purchased one MolecuLight i:X System on 15 April 2021 via Purchase Order (PO) Number 15F06721P0003082. 

The MolecuLight i:X meets the SRAU’s requirement for a deployable, non-contact, handheld detector and this system was chosen for its operational compatibility.  The MolecuLight i:X can be used on any shaped surface as it uses LEDs for illumination and excitation of the surface contaminant without touching it, (non-contact).  Extensive literature review has led to the conclusion that fluorescence detection at a variety of excitation and emission wavelengths offers a means to locate biological material.  Excitation at 266, 273, and 280 produces broad emissions (300nm-400nm) centered at 350nm.  Excitation at 365 and 405nm produces broad emissions (400nm-500nm) centered at 450nm.  The MolecuLight i:X detector can be used with one hand and weighs 398 grams, (less than one pound).  MolecuLight was chosen for its operational compatibility and field operation procedures have been developed.  SRAU employees who travel to CONUS/OCONUS crime scenes can carry this detector along with the other equipment they currently use. 

Interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement by contacting Bryan Lane via email only at bvlane@fbi.gov, no later than April 14th, 2023, at 7:00 AM, (EST).  Only emailed responses will be considered.  No phone calls.  Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government.  Responses shall include the firm’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) number and their Business Size.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed award upon response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided.  The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract.

Vendors must be registered in SAM, (effective July 29, 2012), to receive government contracts.  The FBI utilizes a financial system that has a direct interface with SAM.  Please ensure that your company’s SAM information is updated and accurate.  This includes the TIN, EFT, DUNs, UEI, addresses, and contact information.  The EFT banking information on file in SAM will be what the FBI uses to process payment to your organization.