Notice of Intent to Sole Source to Extend Services for N6264520P0020 - Molecular Assay-Analyzers

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has issued a Special Notice of Intent to sole source a bridge contract to BioFire Defense, LLC for molecular diagnostic analyzer systems at two naval medical facilities. The contract will cover Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in California and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, spanning a primary period from April 16, 2025 through October 15, 2025, with an optional 6-month extension through April 15, 2026. The notice specifically addresses the procurement of PCR analyzer systems with comprehensive diagnostic capabilities. The sole source approach indicates the government's determination that BioFire Defense is the most suitable vendor for these specialized molecular diagnostic instruments. The opportunity is classified under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing NAICS category and In Vitro Diagnostic Substances PSC category.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to secure critical molecular assay-analyzer systems capable of comprehensive pathogen detection across multiple medical domains. The system requirements are extensive, mandating FDA compliance and the ability to analyze respiratory, blood culture, gastrointestinal, and meningitis/encephalitis targets through integrated multiplex PCR analysis. Specific technical requirements include detecting a minimum of 20 respiratory targets, 24 blood culture organisms, 3 antimicrobial resistance markers, 22 gastrointestinal targets, and 14 meningitis/encephalitis targets. Interested vendors must submit capability statements by 4:30 PM EST on February 28, 2025, with submissions limited to 5 pages and sent via email to margaret.a.suever.civ@health.mil. While the notice indicates a sole source intention to BioFire Defense, the agency is still soliciting capability statements, suggesting potential openness to alternative proposals that meet the stringent technical specifications.