National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

66 -- LIGHT CYCLER SOL RFQ90178 DUE 090799 POC Marsha Gorham, 301-402-4509 The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Medicine Branch, proposes to procure a Light Cycler from Roche Diagnostic Corporation, 9115 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250-0414. The Department of Experimental Transplantation and Immunology (DETI) requires a Light Cycler for various projects involving molecular biological techniques. In particular, the laboratory requires the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection equipment to identify, characterize, and quantify factors that affect leukocyte reconstitution. The Roche Corporation light cycler is currently the only company that offers the necessary features for the aforementioned work. The machine shall employ gene-specific primers (useful in genotyping and mutation analysis) that are fluorescently modified, and take advantage of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) which occurs when the two probes exist in close proximity on a DNA template. The basic system shall have the following characteristics: 1) The machine shall integrate a 32 samples micro-volume fluorimeter with an air driven ultra-rapid thermal cycler to deliver quantitative real time analysis; 2) The instrument must provide rapid analysis of samples of 32 samples or more in 30 minutes or less in order to allow assessment of results and redesign of experiments up to ten times per day; 3) The system shall also have real-time display of data making it possible to detect an error early and to save time in correcting it; 4) The machine shall also have three or more channels for monitoring florescent product accumulation and allowing for accurate and precise quantification; 5) The system shall have melting point analysis for use with hybridization(nonhydrolytic) probes in order to provide a fast and reliable method for point mutational analysis (the system shall use monitoring fluorescence upon binding utilizing an approach that allows product differentiation by analysis of product melting curves); 6) The system shall also have a removable sample carousel for easy cleaning and sterilization in an autoclave to control contamination between sample groups; and 7) The system shall also utilize less reagents (less than 20 ul of reagents per reaction is necessary) by virtue of being an air driven machine. Based on the above, Roche Diagnostic Corporation is the only source known to the NCI researcher that can meet the above requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The capability statement and any other information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can fully meet this requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 p.m. EST, on September 7, 1999. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Gorham, on (301) 402-4509. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice issolely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Posted 08/19/99 (W-SN370070). (0231)

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