SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- BioRobot Universal System
- Notice Date
- 8/1/2008
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Blvd., EPS Suite 600, Rockville, Maryland, 20852
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- NCI-80154-NG
- Archive Date
- 8/27/2008
- Point of Contact
- Ashley L. Virts, , Malinda L Holdcraft,, Phone: (301) 402-4509
- E-Mail Address
-
virtsa@mail.nih.gov, holdcram@exchange.nih.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Epidemiology and Cancer, Laboratory of Translational Genomics plans to procure as a sole source the brand BioRobot Universal System with Qiagen Inc.; 27220 Turnberry Lane Ste. 200; Valencia, California 91355-1005. This acquisition will be conducted under the procedures for acquiring commercial items authorized in FAR Part 12 and under the authority to use simplified procedures for commercial requirements as provided in FAR 13.501. The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. No faxed or emailed capability statements will be accepted. Contractor shall provide one (1) original and one (1) copy of the capability statement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 11:00 AM EST, by August 12, 2008. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed or emailed to: Malinda Holdcraft, Contract Specialist via electronic mail at holdcram@exchange.nih.gov or fax 301-402-4513. It is the vendors’ responsibility to ensure all questions have been received in the contracting office. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA). Reference: NCI-80154-NG on all correspondence. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: Part I: Background information and description of requirements: The NCI Lab of Translational Genomics is focused on two courses of study: 1.Dissecting the genetic basis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the most common genetic variants in the human genome, using large scale, genome-wide association studies (GWAS). 2.Functional evaluation of associated genetic variants (SNPs) with use of several methods that include mRNA expression studies, construction of recombinant clones that carry alternative alleles of SNPs and large-scale resequencing of genomic regions that harbor candidate genes. This instrument integrates all the instrumentation, software, purification technologies, and enzyme technologies from Qiagen that are required for medium- to high-throughput applications in 96-well format. It is a fully automated robotics system that allows unsupervised automatic processing of samples. The BioRobot comes with optimized protocols that enable purification of highly pure RNA, genomic DNA, or plasmid DNA, PCR cleanup and high-throughput set-up of downstream reactions. The NCI lab must have laboratory cabinets to support the BioRobot because its larger dimensions (31 x 55 x 32 in.) as a floor model. There is limited bench space that will not suffice the capacity of the instruments size. Part II. Facts and Reasons to Justify Other than Full and Open Competition I.Statutory Authority Statute: This justification has been prepared under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1) as set forth in 13.106-1 (b)(2) and 13.501(a)(1). (b) Soliciting from a single source. (2) For sole source acquisitions of commercial items in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold conducted pursuant to subpart 13.5, the requirements at 13.501(a) apply. No other requirement and/or type for supply or service will satisfy agency need. Justification: The BioRobot is the only instrument known to the NCI that can perform accelerated, medium-to high scale throughput nucleic acid preparation (DNA, RNA and plasmids) with easy-to-use, reliable kits. This unique system enables processing of larger numbers of samples, starting at a minimum of 24 samples with most protocols, and up to 384 samples increments of 8. The BioRobot also has a unique modular system containing three software application packs and corresponding liquid handling robotics. These application packs “Gene Expression”, “Genotyping” and “Sequencing,” include software and protocols specific for the BioRobot and enable the instrument to perform high throughput purification of DNA, RNA and plasmids, respectively. The liquid handling system can then also automatically dilute the purified DNA and RNA to desired concentrations and set up the downstream PCR reactions that are currently done by hand. The Qiagen® BioRobot® Universal System is patented by Qiagen and a similar system is not available from any other source. Detailed Instrument Requirements for Sole Source Justification: 1. The instrument must be able to purify DNA, RNA, plasmids and PCR products in a high-throughput, 96-well format. 2. The instrument must have an automated vacuum system with the following capabilities: a.It removes contaminants by a combination of heating and vacuum steps. b.The manifold can be assembled and disassembled by the robotic handling system. c.It includes the temperature-controlled unit used for evaporation steps in the vacuum manifold when purifying biological material such as nucleic acids. 3. The instrument must have a worktable composed of a single metal sheet with appropriate slots so that the vacuum manifold and shaker can be integrated into the worktable. 4. The instrument must have a robotic handling system with the following capabilities: a.It can transport labware between different locations. b.It can load and unload the vacuum manifold of the automated system. c.It can manipulate the dispenser head of a high-speed dispensing system (see high-speed dispensing system). 5. The instrument must have a heating and cooling system that can a a automatically heat and cool samples and reagents with the following capabilities: d.It can maintain liquids in multiwell plates at temperatures between 4°C and 90°C. e.It has an electronic temperature control program. f.It has rapid ramp-up (heating) times. 6. The instrument must have a computer-controlled high-speed shaker system with auto-reverse shaking that can be performed at speeds of up to 1100 rpm. 7. The instrument must have a dilutor system with the following capabilities: g.It can be used in high-throughput, 96-well formats. h.It has a high-precision, small-volume pipetting system that allows transfer from tubes to microplates. 8. The instrument must have a probe spacing system that can allow the spacing between probes to be adjusted during sample processing allowing multichannel transfer of liquids between vessels such as tubes and 96-well plates. 9. The instrument must have liquid detectors with the following capabilities: i.The probes must be able to sense contact with liquids in different vessels. j.It must operate by monitoring the changes between capacitance between the probes and liquid. 10. The instrument must have a high-speed dispensing system with the following capabilities: k.It must deliver a continuous flow of liquids through 8 channels simultaneously. l.It must deliver volumes as low as 200 ul. 11. The instrument must have calibration protocols for checking and adjusting the high-speed pipetting system and syringes of the dilutor system. 12. The instrument must have a labware tracking system that utilizes a hand-held and internal barcode scanner. 13. The instrument must have a high speed shaker system. m.It comprises a CCD camera used for the identification of barcoded labeled reagent bottles. n.It is integrated with the liquid-level detection system and monitors buffer volumes. 14. The instrument must have a specialized controlling software system that has the following capabilities: o.It operates under Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional operating system. p.It provides comprehensive process documentation. q.It allows any information to be easily exchanged via data export and import to external databases or LIMS systems. r.It must enable simple administration of users. s.It must make users log in to run protocol files. t.It must have software to protect protocol files, system data, result and report files from inappropriate modification. 15.The instrument must have optional laboratory cabinet’s specific for the instrument that can accommodate the instrument, computer, vacuum pump, liquid container, waste container, carrier for tip-disposal bags and other accessories. 16.The instrument must be a contained, closed system to protect the user from biologically hazardous materials. 17. The instrument must have capability to process up to 600 samples per day. Contractor shall also provide a Project Pack that provides application development and comprehensive draining.
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