Presolicitation Notice - GEIS Network Illumina Sequencing Platform Modernization

Presolicitation Notice

The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) in Fort Detrick, MD intends to negotiate on a sole source basis (IAW RFO 12.201-1) with Illumina, Inc 5200 Illumina Way San Diego, CA 92122, as the only responsible source that can provide MiSeq i100 Plus sequencing instruments to replace Illumina MiSeq sequencing instruments around the world that are close to obsolescence.  This is a Presolicitation notice in accordance with RFO 5.101.

The Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Branch of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division (AFHSD) has a need to replace existing MiSeq (RUO), MiniSeq and iSeq100 sequencers across the global GEIS partner laboratory network. Upgrading the existing sequencers with the Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus Next-Generation Sequencing systems will ensure continuity of the global public health surveillance mission. The MiSeq i100 is the manufacturer's designated replacement for the legacy systems and includes onboard DRAGEN secondary analysis and room-temperature stable reagents, which significantly mitigates cold chain logistics for partner laboratories. The Illumina MiSeq i100 integrates the proprietary DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform directly onboard the instrument. This unique capability allows for secondary data analysis to be performed locally on the device itself, eliminating the need for immediate data transfer to external computational resources or a cloud-based architecture. This is a key feature for the AFHSD, as it allows the instrument to operate within a contained, air-gapped security environment. This drastically simplifies the Risk Management Framework process and is essential for obtaining an Authority to Operate.

Illumina is the sole manufacturer of the MiSeq i100 and associated reagents, consumables, with ability to also provide installation, training, and annual service agreements for the systems. The rationale is based on Illumina’s proprietary technology, which is essential for data continuity, and its unique system architecture, which is critical for operation within the Department of War’s (DoW) secure environment.

Proprietary Technology Ecosystem and Data Continuity: The cornerstone of this justification is Illumina’s proprietary Sequencing by Synthesis chemistry. This technology is fundamentally different from that of competitors, resulting in a unique data format and error profile. The Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus operates on Illumina’s proprietary XLEAP-SBS (Sequencing by Synthesis) chemistry. This technology utilizes a patented method involving fluorescently labeled, reversible dye-terminators. During the sequencing process, engineered polymerases incorporate all four nucleotides (A, C, T, G) simultaneously into a growing DNA strand. Because all four nucleotides are present and competing for the active site, incorporation bias is minimized. Once a base is incorporated, the reversible terminator prevents further strand extension until an optical sensor records the fluorescent signal, after which the terminator is chemically cleaved to allow the next cycle.

Illumina holds exclusive, fundamental patents on specific nucleotide linkers, engineered polymerases, and fluorescent dyes that constitute XLEAP-SBS chemistry. Consequently, it is legally impossible for a third-party vendor to manufacture or offer this specific chemistry. Furthermore, the XLEAP-SBS polymerases have been structurally engineered to remain highly stable at ambient temperatures. This proprietary bioengineering is the exclusive mechanism that allows the MiSeq i100 Plus reagents to be shipped and stored without a cold chain (freezers/dry ice). Competing chemistries rapidly degrade at room temperature and cannot support the logistical realities of the GEIS network's austere, forward-deployed OCONUS laboratories

Unique Capability for Secure DoW Operations (Onboard DRAGEN): The Illumina MiSeq i100 integrates the proprietary DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform directly onboard the instrument. Genomic sequencing generates massive raw data files (Base Call or BCL files). Transmitting these large files from austere, forward-deployed OCONUS laboratories over constrained military network bandwidth to a centralized server or cloud environment for secondary analysis often takes days or fails entirely due to network timeouts. By performing this analysis directly on the instrument, the MiSeq i100 Plus reduces the data footprint by up to 80% and cuts the time-to-answer from multiple days to approximately two hours. DRAGEN allows for secondary data analysis to be performed locally on the device itself, eliminating the need for immediate data transfer to external computational resources or a cloud-based architecture. This is a key feature for the DoW, as it allows the instrument to operate within a contained, air-gapped security environment. This drastically simplifies the Risk Management Framework process and is essential for obtaining Authority to Operate. No other vendor in this market segment offers a comparable, fully integrated, onboard analysis solution.

GEIS requires the sequencing systems to be replaced in multiple locations including Tripler Army Medical Center Department of Clinical Investigations, HI, Public Health Command Pacific, Camp Zama Japan, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Naval Hospital Guam, Guam, Public Health Command Pacific, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Thailand, Public Health Command Europe, Landstuhl Germany, Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH, Peru, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Africa, Kenya, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Europe-Middle East, Tbilisi Georgia, Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Ghana, Defense Center for Public Health Aberdeen, MD, United States School of Aerospace Medicine, OH, Naval Health Research Center Operation Infectious Diseases, CA, Naval Medical Research Command Biological Research Directorate, MD, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, MD and Naval Medical Research Unit INDO PACIFIC, Singapore.

This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures. There are no set-aside restrictions for this requirement. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 334516 with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,000 employees. This presolicitation notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, any parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same service. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this 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.  

Based on the above information, the only responsible source that can provide the MiSeq i100 Plus sequencing instruments, associated reagents, consumables, installation, training, and annual service agreements is Illumina Inc.

Submit email capability statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) to Jeffrey Sprecher at jeffrey.b.sprecher.civ@health.mil. Statements are due no later than 12:00 P.M. EST on 23 June 2026. No phone calls will be accepted.