Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Sequencing Supplies

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 16 is procuring RNA sequencing supplies specifically for the Pharmacogenomics Analysis Laboratory at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The solicitation seeks a contractor to provide four types of sequencing kits: SuperScript VILO cDNA Synthesis Kit, Ion AmpliseQ TXome Chef Kit, Ion 540 Kit-Chef, and Ion 540 Chip Kit, all designed for use with a GeneStudio S5 Plus high-throughput next-generation sequencer. These supplies will support RNA biospecimen analysis from Gulf War Veterans with PTSD, with the sequencer capable of multiplexing up to 16 samples per Ion Chip. The technical evaluation will focus on product compatibility with the Ion GeneStudio S5 Plus and Ion Chef systems, with price and technical considerations weighted equally at 50% each. Responses to solicitation number 36C25625Q1270 are due by August 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM Central Time.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management and verified in VetCert to be eligible for award consideration. The contract will be structured as a firm-fixed price arrangement with a one-year period of performance, featuring monthly invoicing and electronic funds transfer payment methods. Performance will take place in Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, where the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System laboratory is located. The procurement falls under PSC code 6640 for Laboratory Equipment and Supplies, indicating the specialized nature of the required sequencing materials.