Real-Time PCR Detection System - Sources Sought

A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below.

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Quote. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources and to determine the capability of Small Business and/or Large Business companies to provide the supplies/services described below. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. Department of Agriculture (ARS) requests responses from ALL socioeconomic categories in order to gain a more complete understanding of the market for these products and service.

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.

The NAICS code for the expected acquisition is 334516, with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees and the PSC Code is 6625 Any subsequent procurement will be conducted as a commercial item purchased in accordance with FAR Part 12 and as a Simplified Acquisition Procedure in accordance with FAR Part 13.

The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following products:

001) Real-Time PCR Detection System

Scope of Work:

The UDSA-ARS Nation Center for Cool and Cold-Water Aquaculture Research

Unit out of the Great Lakes Water Institute (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences) in Milwaukee, WI is seeking sources for a small footprint real-time PCR detection system or the equivalent. Specifications for the purchase are itemized below.

Background:

The USDA-ARS Milwaukee Aquaculture Program uses the real-time detection system to measure quantitative levels of gene abundances (messenger RNA) in tissues of rainbow trout to characterize how genes involved with immune function are regulated.

Technical Requirements:

The Real-time PCR detection system will be used routinely to add analytical capacity for measurement of immune gene expression in rainbow trout.

• Small footprint detection system, with integrated touch screen capable of running instrument.
• Software is intuitive, convenient & flexible with unlimited number of licenses, enabling: Comparative Ct, Standard Curve, Relative Standard Curve, Genotyping, Presence/Absence, Melt Curve Analyses. Multicomponenting algorithm for optimal dye resolution.
• 96-well block, compatible with fast cycling or standard conditions/chemistries.
• No loss of multiplex-capabilities when running fast chemistries and cycling parameters.
• High-performance block cycling system with a wide programmable temperature range from 4°C to 100°C with flexible block technology to run independent Peltier blocks for 3 independent zones for better assay optimization and temperature zone precision & better than gradient reaction optimization.
• LED-based detection system, capable of simultaneous detection of 4 different dyes.
• LED system is pre-calibrated 4-color white LED optical system. For on-site set up a calibration, system comes with a free RNaseP Verification Plate.
• Real-time integration & normalization of assays using chemistries with ROX as a passive reference dye. 
• USB ports for convenient data download/upload on the instrument
• Simplified recalibration-option to guarantee optimal performance even
• PC/MAC computer compatible (using web browser-based software)
• Option to collect all filters for all wells regardless of plate setup enabling post-run setup.
• Multiplate Data Comparison—Compare an unlimited number of plates of gene expression assays.
• RDML export for compatibility with MIQE guidelines.
• Works with a wide variety of co-optimized reagents, such as TaqMan® assay portfolio and SYBR chemistries (all with ROX passive reference dye) for high performance of both, routine and challenging applications.
• Free optional Smart Monitor service to maximize system uptime and improve productivity.
• cUL (tested to CAN/CSA standards), UL, CE, C-TICK, RoHS/WEEE compliant.
• Optional: access to knowledgeable team of technical application scientists is available to assist with real-time PCR questions by phone or email with flexible service and training plans to fit specific laboratory requirements.
• Half day training – SmartStart
• Mfr. Design and Analysis Web Browser-based Software
• Mfr. Design and Analysis Desktop Software
• LIMITED WARRANTY: Two-year parts and labor
• Shipping must be included.

Laptop Computer Specifications:

• Laptop computer with control & analytical software.
• Control system should be compatible with a computer or tablet of the following specifications.
  • OS: Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU: Intel® Core TM i3 (2.1 GHz) or more
  • RAM: 4 GB or more
  • HDD: Free space: 2 GB or more
  • Screen resolution: 1366 × 768 or more
  • Web Browser: Google Chrome TM

• Vendor will work closely with ARS-USDA-IT to ensure computer/tablet complies with Government security requirements.

Warranty:

• Two (2) years parts & labor on system components

Brand Name or Equal: ABI QuantStudio 3 Real-Time PCR Detection System

Customer will provide access to movers to complete installation, planned maintenance, Installation Performance Verification, and other service calls within the warranty plan period.

Customer will provide no formal direction to vendor but will provide access to stored tools and other laboratory sites needed to perform service. Vendor determines which service engineer to send for site visits or repair.

Note: Quoted products should be USA Manufactured if at all possible with foreign manufactured products only offered if NO USA manufactured products are available.

Government will provide access to facilities and equipment and bench space for service engineer.  Government will also provide access to equipment storage areas and bench surface area when work is done. Access will be restricted during Wisconsin State holidays and during federal holidays. Facility location is: School of Freshwater Sciences, ARS-USDA, 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204, Room 156.

Travel:

Vendor to provide travel for field service engineer as part of warranty period.  Government should incur no additional costs.

Contractor’s Key Personnel:

Vendor to determine qualifications of field service engineer, not Government. Vendor will ensure qualifications and capability of field service engineer.

Data Rights:

Vendor has access to all data on instrument performance and tracking data and when necessary, Government generated data (when asked) to aid in any troubleshooting issues. Vendor cannot remove or transport Government data off-site without Government permission.

Evaluation:

Contract award will be based on price, past performance of the quoted product, and the degree to which the quoted product meets the features and technical capabilities outlines above. When combined, past performance and technical capabilities are significantly more important than the quoted price.

Key Deliverables:

• Real-Time PCR Detection System
• Laptop
• Software
• Delivery
• Instillation
• Training

Delivery:

Delivery is to be made to the School of Freshwater Sciences, USDA-ARS, 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204, Room 156 by or before 09/30/2021.

The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard USDA-ARS Milwaukee WI and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract

Capability Statement:

Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice.

Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business.

To be eligible, all vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register in SAM. A vendor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. Vendor must include their DUNS# on their capability statements.

Finally, to be eligible, all vendors must be NDAA 889 Certified. If they do not currently have a NDAA 889 Certification, then they must complete the attached NDAA 889 Certification form and submit it to aaron.dimeo@usda.gov so that they can be added to the list of NDAA 889 Certified vendors.

Submitting a Capability Statements:

Responses should be submitted via email to aaron.dimeo@usda.gov by Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. CST. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Disclaimer:

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Respondents are also advised that under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of information or provide feedback about any of the information received.  After review of the responses received, the Government may issue a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation. No proprietary, sensitive, confidential or classified information shall be included with your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation.