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

66 -- MICROARRAY SCANNER SYSTEM SOL NCI-RFQ-00073-NV DUE 052200 POC Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent 301-402-4509, Todd Cole, Contracting Officer 301-402-4509 The National Cancer Institute plans to procure a microarray scanner system in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes a combined synopsis/solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation incorporates applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 97-17. The standard industrial code is 3826 and the business size standard is 500. However, this solicitation is not set-aside for small business. BACKGROUND: Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) is currently being used in the Cancer Genome Anatomy Program (CGAP) in an effort to catalog the genes which are expressed in human tissue as normal cells undergo premalignant changes and further develop into invasive and metastatic cancer. Microarray hybridization panels containing these index sets are being used to obtain a molecular fingerprint of gene expression in microdissected human tissue biopsies. Such a fingerprint of gene/protein expression patterns may provide crucial clues for etiology and may contribute to diagnostic decisions and therapies tailored to the individual patient. Particular molecules found to be associated with a defined pathological lesion may serve as future imaging or therapeutic targets. The microarray hybridization panels consist of glass slides, or nylon membranes, upon which are spotted arrays of hundreds to thousands of cDNA clones or individual proteins. In order to apply these arrays to microdissected tissue, we extract the RNA and proteins from the tissue cells and label it with a detectable signaling tag, either radionucleotides or chemiluminescent nucleotides. The labeled sample is then applied to the surface of the glass/nylon array. Any RNA/protein species that recognizes the bound cDNA/protein on the array binds to its respective cDNA or protein spot. The result is a microarray of thousands of spots, each spot possessing a detectable tag bound in proportion to the amount of the RNA/protein species recognized by thatparticular immobilized cDNA or protein. REQUIREMENT: A robot is required in order to array cDNA clones or proteins in a microarray format. Specifically, the arrayer shall have the capability to array many different types of biomolecules and liquid cultures in a format that spaces the spots far enough apart in order to efficiently analyze radioactive signals from a phosphorimager. The arraying robot shall have the ability to array cDNA clones, proteins, liquid cell cultures, and bacterial cell suspensions. The research requires that the arraying robot possess the following features: A.) The system shall be able to array the following molecules and not just subsets of them: 1) DNA, 2) cDNA, 3) proteins, 4) live bacterial cultures, 5) live mammalian tissue culture cells, and 6) phage lysates; B.) The arrayer shall be able to vary the size of spots in the range of 150 microns to 500 microns in diameter. C.) The system shall be able to handle spacing needs twice this size so that if 500 micron sized spots are required the system can provide spacing of at least 1,000 microns apart. The system shall ultimately provide for spacing of spots up to 1,200 microns apart. Offerors shall provide descriptive literature, warranties, and/or other technical materials in sufficient detail to demonstrate that their quotation/offer meets the foregoing requirements. The literature furnished must show the item to which the specifications herein pertain to. The anticipated purchase order will be awarded to the responsible offeror with the lowest-priced offer that fully meets the requirements of this solicitation. The solicitation incorporates the NCI Representations, equipment, delivery, installation, training, and other applicable charges. In Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors or Quoters (Simplified Acquisitions). The award document will incorporate the requirements of 52.213-4, Terms and Conditions Simplified Acquisitions. Full text copies of these documents may be obtained from Debbie Moore at (301)402-4509 or by fax at(301)402-4513. Quotes must be submitted on an SF-18 that is signed by an authorized representative of the offeror and includes a complete "Schedule of Offeror Supplies/Services". The quotation should include a fixed price for all addition to the aforementioned descriptive literature, offers must also be accompanied by a completed and signed copy of the NCI Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors or Quoters (Simplified Acquisition). An original and one copy of your quotation/offer and related materials must be received in the contracts office by 1:00 P.M. EDT (local Washington, D.C. time) on May 22, 2000. No facsimile quotations or collect calls will be accepted. Please cite the solicitation number, RFQ-NCI-00073-NV on your quotation. Posted 05/03/00 (W-SN450895). (0124)

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