Sources Sought - Domestically manufactured alternative to Chromium XO and accessories

Sources are being sought to determine if there are manufacturers/contractors available offering a domestically sourced item that meets the minimum specifications outlined below.  This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal.  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 domestic sources.  Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision.  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 proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.

Purpose: ARS APD, Acquisition seeks to determine the availability and capability of potential businesses offering a domestically manufactured item(s) for the project below. The information received resulting from this market research will be considered for the purpose of determining domestically available sources of supply.

Product Information: The Government seeks information from qualified and experienced contractors capable of providing domestically produced item(s) that is capable of mirroring current genomics work done using a Chromium XO instrument and accessories.  Contractors must demonstrate the ability to perform under a potential contracting vehicle.   Brand Name or Equal (FAR 52.211-6)  

Current Known Manufacturer Source: 10X Genomics, 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasonton, CA  94588-3260.  The country of origin is stated as Singapore.

Place of Performance:  The place of performance is the USDA, ARS, Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Unit (IBDRU) at 1920 Dayton Avenue in Ames, IA.

Anticipated Solicitation Release: To Be Determined

 Estimated Delivery: Delivery is expected within 60 days of the order date.

Minimum Specifications:

Minimum Requirements: an instrument that can generate single-cell partitions from fresh, frozen, or fixed cells and captures molecular readouts of cell activity as gene expression, with ability to purchase software upgrades in future that allow assessment of chromatin accessibility, cell surface proteins, immune clonotype, antigen specificity, and CRISPR perturbation screens. 

The instrument will be used with samples in an elevated BSL-2 lab space and need to be able to mirror current genomics work done using a Chromium XO instrument in a high-containment BSL3 lab space.

The single cell partitioning device must meet the following minimum specifications:

o   Must be able to partition hundreds of thousands of fresh, frozen or fixed cells in a single run into partitions containing an identifying barcode for 8 samples for downstream analysis.

o   Must be able to capture molecular readouts of cell activity as gene expression and capable to upgrade software for capture of chromatin accessibility, cell surface proteins, immune clonotype, antigen specificity, and CRISPR perturbation screens.

o   Must be able to capture fragile or low-RNA content cells.

o   Must have cell size flexibility with no lower limits.

o   Must be able to partition at least 5,000 cells per channel in a total of at least 8 channels.

o   Must have a low doublet rate.

o   Must have high cell capture rates.

o   Must be able to run 8 samples in parallel.

o   Must be compatible with GEM-X microfluidic chips and reaction chemistry.

GEM-X OCM 3' Chip Kit v4 4-plex, 2 chips(equivalent)

Quantity: 2

Unit Type: Each

Minimum Requirements: Consumables compatible with both the new instrument and the 10x Genomics Chromium instrument already in laboratory service that can generate single cell partitions cells for transcriptomic and epigenomic research. In a single run, must be able to partition at least 5,000 cells from each of eight individually identifiable samples of fresh, frozen, or fixed cells and generate poly A capture gene expression transcript readouts.  Supplies are also needed for four runs, with up to 8 samples per run.
• GEM-X microfluidic chip and reaction chemistry use gel beads coated with oligonucleotides. These oligonucleotides include a unique molecular identifier that gives each transcript a unique fingerprint as well as adapter sequences for downstream next-generation sequencing.
• This unique molecular identifier enables the user to map each transcript back to its cell of origin.

• The automated partitioning and barcoding steps of the GEM-X microfluidic chip limit the potential for technical error or batch effects.
o   Single-cell partitioning chips compatible with a 10x Chromium instrument and 3’ mRNA gene capture.
 

GEM-X Universal 3' Gene Expression v4 4-plex, 16 samples (equivalent)

Quantity: 2

Unit Type: Each

Minimum Requirements: Consumables compatible with both the new instrument and the 10x Genomics Chromium instrument already in laboratory service that can generate single cell partitions cells for transcriptomic and epigenomic research. In a single run, must be able to partition at least 5,000 cells from each of eight individually identifiable samples of fresh, frozen, or fixed cells and generate poly A capture gene expression transcript readouts.  Supplies are also needed for four runs, with up to 8 samples per run.
o   Must be compatible with GEM-X microfluidic chips and reaction chemistry.

Single-cell partitioning & labeling kits compatible with a 10x Chromium instrument and 3’ mRNA gene capture.

Dual Index Kit TT Set A, 96 rxn (equivalent)

Quantity: 1

Unit Type: Each

Minimum Requirements: Consumables compatible with both the new instrument and the 10x Genomics Chromium instrument already in laboratory service that can generate single cell partitions cells for transcriptomic and epigenomic research. In a single run, must be able to partition at least 5,000 cells from each of eight individually identifiable samples of fresh, frozen, or fixed cells and generate poly A capture gene expression transcript readouts.  Supplies are also needed for four runs, with up to 8 samples per run.
o   Must be compatible with GEM-X microfluidic chips and reaction chemistry.
o   Single-cell dual indexing kit compatible with a 10x Chromium instrument and 3’ mRNA gene capture.

Disclaimers:

1. This notice is posted in accordance with FAR Part 5.2.
2. In accordance with FAR Part 4.1102, Procedures, System for Award Management (SAM), potential contractors must be registered in SAM prior to submitting responses, proposals, bids, or quotes. Offerors may obtain information on registration at https://www.sam.gov.
3. Any potential future solicitations will be posted exclusively on SAM.gov. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of solicitation and any updates or amendments.
4. Do NOT submit proposals, bids, or quotes at this time.
5. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice.

Instructions For Interested Parties, Capabilities:

Companies who have 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 as well as the Country of Origin of the proposed instrument and accessories.  Responses should be submitted by February 13th, 2026, to the attention of Shelley Steen at shelley.steen@usda.gov.