Primary Research Bioreactors

The state and local contract opportunity is being issued by Dakota Bioproducts Innovation Institute (Dakota BioWorx) and South Dakota State University, with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), specifically targeting Brown County, South Dakota. The procurement seeks five primary research sterile bioreactor systems designed for process screening and workforce development purposes. Each bioreactor system must consist of four 1L or less bioreactors with independent controls, operated from a single control unit, and must meet comprehensive technical requirements related to construction, health/safety, operation, materials, and reliability. The evaluation criteria will include mandatory technical requirements, pricing, technical response, lead time, warranty, and vendor experience. The contract opportunity was posted on June 24, 2024, with bid submissions due by July 8, 2024, and bids should be returned to Craig Arnold, Greg Opdahl, and Bobby Markham via their provided email addresses. Vendors must comply with federal "Buy America" and anti-boycott provisions, and the successful bidder will be required to provide system validation documentation, startup assistance, and access to US-based service and spare parts.

The contract opportunity does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. While the document does not list incumbent vendors or current contractors, it indicates the systems will need to integrate with existing research infrastructure at Dakota BioWorx and South Dakota State University. The procurement is partially funded by the EDA, suggesting potential federal compliance requirements and oversight. Although a specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the provided documents, the complexity of the bioreactor systems and the requirement for four independent 1L units with sophisticated control mechanisms implies a significant financial investment. The contract appears focused on supporting advanced bioproduct research and development, with an emphasis on workforce development in the biotechnology sector. Potential vendors will need to demonstrate technical expertise, provide comprehensive system capabilities, and meet the stringent technical specifications outlined in the User Requirement Specification (URS) document.