USDA Sole Source Notification for the Purchase of Fluidigm Brand Genetic Analysis Equipment

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) Laboratory located in Edinburg, TX intends to award a Purchase Order to a single source (Fluidigm Corporation -- DUNS 133223631) for a Fluidigm® EP1 Reader and HX IFC Controller (genetic analysis equipment) under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i). The equipment will support pest identification to exclude and eradicate exotic plant pests.

The technology used in the Fluidigm® EP1 and IFC controllers are unique and specialized and was used to develop methods of plant pest identification. The methods developed using the chemistry associated with the EP1 by USDA Agricultural Research Service (Hilo, Hawaii) and similar Fluidigm® systems (China Agricultural University, Jiang et al 2016) must be reproduced with equivalent technology. The CPHST Laboratory needs these two Fluidigm® instruments to adopt those identification methods to support its mission within APHIS. The CPHST Laboratory already has an alternate Fluidigm® system that uses an AX IFC controller and FC1 cycler for a different function. The FC1 can be used with the EP1 and HX controller to complete the system and conduct methods of identification.

The specific items required include:

1 (each) -- EP1 Reader, 20 seats Analysis Software: Digital PCR, Genotyping, One Year Instrument Warranty, Installation, Basic application and instrument workflow training (Items# EP1-EP1, EP1-SVC-INT, APP-TRN)

1 (each) -- IFC controller HX (96.96) (Item# IFC-HX)

The anticipated Purchase Order value is $109,992.00. The pricing is determined to be fair and reasonable based on the technical nature of the equipment, receiving a discount from commercial list pricing, and past USDA purchasing. No other manufacturers were discovered that can produce similar equipment since the Fluidigm® equipment is proprietary using Fluidigm® Dynamic ArrayTM and/or Digital ArrayTM Integrated Fluidic Circuit (IFC) technology.

This notice is for informational purposes only. No formal solicitation will be issued. Any questions or inquiries must be e-mailed to the attention of the Contracting Officer listed below as the point of contact in this notice by 3:00pm central time on Thursday, September 7, 2017.

Point of contact: Michael, 612-336-3203 or michael.j.chiodi@aphis.usda.gov.