Procurement of a Thermo Fisher Scientific 3500xl Genetic Analyzer.

Title:  Procurement of a Thermo Fisher Scientific 3500xl Genetic Analyzer.

Document Type:            Special Notice

Solicitation Number:    75N91020Q00117

Posted Date:                     07/27/2020

Response Date:               08/07/2020

Classification Code:  6640 – LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Project Data

NAICS Code:  334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (1,000), Other than Small Business  

Contracting Office Address:

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E128, Bethesda, MD  20892, UNITED STATES.

Description:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), Office of Acquisitions (OA) plans to procure on a sole source basis Fisher Scientific 3500xl genetic analyzer.  This acquisition will provide a replacement instrument that will fulfil the needs of the laboratory from Life Technologies Corp.3172 Staley Grande Island, NY, 14972.

The response close date of this notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(a)(1). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (1,000), Other than Small Business

One award will be issued under this solicitation. This will be awarded as a severable firm fixed price type contract.

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

BACKGROUND

This equipment will be used by NCI/Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG)/Laboratory of Translational Genomics.  The overall goal of DCEG’s laboratory is to develop new approaches to the study of the genetic basis of cancer and its outcomes. Specifically, DCEG is investigating the genetic basis of strong association signals identified in candidate gene association studies, loci identified by linkage analyses in high-risk families, or genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Program currently has a DNA Sequencer Model No. 3730xl genetic analyzer; Serial Number 16111-012 that is no longer supported by the manufacturer as of December 2019.  This acquisition will provide a replacement instrument that will fulfil the needs of the laboratory.

SPECIAL ORDER REQUIREMENTSPRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

• Fluorescence-based capillary electrophoresis system
• 24-capillary array
• Fully automated from sample loading to base or fragment size calls
• Can use either 36 or 50 cm capillary arrays
• Can use POP-7
• For DNA sequencing, compatible with BigDye v3.1 cycle sequencing kits
• For fragment analysis, can detect up to 6 dyes
• Computer workstation with Windows 10
• Software to operate the instrument, data collection, and data analysis
• Designed for use with 8 strip tubes, 96-, and 384-well plates
• Single line 505nm, Solid state laser
• No special exhaust requirements.  Able to be used in the laboratory under ambient temperatures.
• Contractor must accept a trade-in for the currently Government owned DNA Sequencer Model No. 3730xl genetic analyzer; Serial Number 16111-012.
• A minimum of 1-year warranty, parts, labor and travel
• 100-240V, 50-60Hz, and maximum 15A current.  Plug type NEMA 5-15 or 5-20

TYPE OF ORDER

This will be issued as a Severable Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order.

DELIVERY

Deliver the item(s) within 90 days after award.  All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included. Upon delivery, Contractor shall notify the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to schedule the installation date and time that shall occur within 7 business days after delivery. Installation shall be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified operator. The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment at the following address:

9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, MD 20892-425

INSTALLATION/TRAINING

Installation and Training shall occur within 1 week of delivery.  Training shall be performed by a qualified Technical Applications Specialist for up to 2 people.

Sanger DNA sequencing continues to be the most accurate method for identifying genetic variation and a method that is essential to the research goals of our laboratory.  Fragment analysis of DNA is used for microsatellite analysis (for cell line identification and validation), MLPA, SNP validation and others.

Life Technologies Corp. by Thermo Fisher Scientific is the only known manufacturer of fully automated fluorescence-based capillary electrophoresis systems for DNA sequencing and fragment analysis with arrays of more than 8 capillaries for sequencing multiple samples in parallel. Introducing another DNA sequencing will result on variation on the results, forcing the Government to invest time and taxpayers funding on conducting experiments again. Thus, purchasing the instrument from Life Technologies Corp is more advantageous to the NCI.

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 the NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement.  Responses must be received no later than 3:00PM EST, August 7, 2020.  All responses and questions must be in writing and emailed to William Neal, Contracting Officer via electronic mail at william.neal@nih.gov and Reyes Rodriguez at reyes.rodriguez@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, current Entity Record, including current Representations and Certifications, in the System for Award Management (SAM) through SAM.gov. Reference: 75N91020Q00117on all correspondence.