Instrumentation, Flow Cells and Sample Preparation Reagents and Kits

The Utah Public Health Laboratory is conducting a sole source procurement (Solicitation Number KM20-100) for instrumentation, flow cells, and sample preparation reagents and kits specifically designed for DNA sequencing using a previously acquired MinION instrument. The procurement, classified under commodity code 42200 for medical diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine products, was posted on June 5, 2020, with a submission deadline of June 12, 2020 at 3:00 PM MDT. The primary objective is to acquire specialized laboratory supplies that are compatible with the existing MinION DNA sequencing equipment. Potential vendors are invited to submit challenges to the sole source determination by providing documentation of alternative sources, comparable products, or cost comparisons. The procurement contact is Kayla Medina, and all submissions must be made through the Utah Division of Purchasing, with strict instructions not to contact the procurement unit directly. If no valid challenges are received during the public notice period, the Division of Purchasing may award the contract to the identified vendor without further competitive bidding.

The solicitation appears to be unrestricted in terms of vendor qualifications, with no specific set-aside designations or enterprise restrictions noted in the available documentation. The procurement is structured as a sole source acquisition, which suggests a highly specialized requirement that may limit competitive bidding. While no specific budget range or award value is explicitly stated, the procurement focuses on technical compatibility with the existing MinION instrument, indicating a need for precise, specialized laboratory reagents and supplies. The sole source approach implies that the selected vendor likely has unique capabilities or is the primary manufacturer of the required sequencing materials. Interested vendors must carefully review the technical specifications and be prepared to demonstrate the unique qualities of their products that justify the sole source procurement method.