Replacement Auto DNA Extraction System

FBO ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT

ACTION CODE: SPECIAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: Sole source – Replacement Auto DNA Extraction System

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB643060-26-00803

RESPONSE DATE: 8/29/26

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Applied Genetics Group (AGG) in the Biomolecular Measurement Division of the Materials Measurement Lab conducts research to support the forensic human identification and clinical genetics communities. A key aspect of this research is the extraction of nucleic acids from biological materials deposited on substrates such as buccal swabs, blood storage cards, bullet casings, and clothing, among others. Automation systems are typically used in the forensic DNA and clinical environments to increase the reproducibility of DNA recovery from these items while also reducing likelihood of operator error. The requirement will provide an automated instrument to allow the AGG to perform research into the efficiency and purity of DNA recovery from various substrates. Salient characteristics are variable input volumes for recovery from fired bullet casings, number of samples processed per run, removal of inhibitory substances to downstream applications, and variable elution volume for optimum concentration of eluted DNA. Experiments are performed in the context of forensic and clinical DNA analysis; therefore, instruments that are commonly found in forensic DNA casework labs and clinical labs are most relevant to the intended audience of the research output.   Currently NIST owns an instrument manufactured by QIAGEN, Inc. which goes by the brand name EZ1 which is being discontinued and will no longer be supported.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR Part 12.102(b) with Qiagen Inc. located in Germantown MD, for this maintenance.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Market research has shown that in the requirement of procuring the replacement QIAGEN EZ2 Connect instrument shall verify the continuity of performance and quality of extracted DNA produced by the EZ2 instrument. NIST has historically used the QIAGEN EZ1 instrument for DNA extraction and that instrument is being discontinued. NIST requires the EZ2 instrument to evaluate the performance of the system, which uses similar chemistry as the EZ1, prior to switching our workflows completely over to the new EZ2 instrument. The EZ2 instrument will be a direct replacement for the EZ1 once performance characteristics have been verified and the EZ1 reaches the end of its support by QIAGEN. The new instrument will also allow added functionality with large volume extractions, facilitating research on DNA recovery from fired bullet cartridge casings for public safety by the continuity of past and future research results.

NAICS code for this requirement will be 334516– Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a small business size of 1250 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 1:00AM EST on 8/29/26 will be considered by the Government.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon 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.

Inquiry POCs

Erik.Fycklund@nist.gov  Primary

Andrea.Parekh@nist.gov Secondary

National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD)

100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640