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

66 -- UPGRADES FOR AN EXISTING SEQUENOM DNA MASSARRAY SYSTEM SOL NCI-RFQ-00166-NV DUE 080100 POC Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent 301-402-4509, Todd Cole, Contracting Officer 301-402-4509 The National Cancer Institute (NCI) proposes to enter into a sole source contract with Sequenom, Inc., 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, SanDiego, CA 92121 for upgrades to an existing Sequenom DNA MassArray System. The provided supplies and/or services are commercial as defined in FAR Part 2, and this acquisition is being made in accordance with the test program for using simplified procedures for certain commercial items as authorized in FAR 13.5. NCI is expanding its high throughput laboratory in the NCI Advanced Technology Center (ATC). The lab is equipped to perform "state of the art" automated genomic analyses, including DNA sequencing and genotyping. The lab is involved in both transferring established protocols to a throughput environment and in developing new, technically advanced protocols utilizing novel instrumentation for new projects. Under purchase order 263-MQ-916051, a high-speed array mass spectrometer, Sequenom's DNA MassArray system, was purchased in order to provide separation, detection, and characterization of analyte molecules. Given the volume of work, upgrading the nanoliter dispensing units and the robotic liquid handler is required to increase the sample throughput of the system. Upgrades to these units are necessary, and the Sequenom Spectro-Jet 4 Channel Nanoliter Dispensing Unit and Spectro-Prep 96 Pipettor will upgrade the system accordingly. The LPG currently has a need to increase the production rate of 500 sample wells per day to a rate of at least 5,000 samples. The proposed upgrades of the SpectroJet 96 Pipettoer will allow faster manipulation of the samples to increase throughput, and the SpectroJet 4-Channel Nanoliter Dispensing unit has enhanced software to increase the throughput operation rate via four needles for dispensing. The SpectroJet 4-Channel Nanoliter dispensing unit is equipped with a MassArray System with a specific customized stage, which contains a Sequenom exclusive customized platehead to accommodate the dimensions of the SpectroChips. In addition, the SpectroJet 4-Channel Nanoliter dispensing unit contains a magnetic lift which works in conjunction with the DNA MassArray system. The SpectroJet 96 Pipettor and SpectroJet 4- Channel Nanoliter dispensing unit contain modifications to establish complete compatibility to the Sequenom DNA MassArray system and are exclusive to Sequenom, Inc. Therefore, Sequenom, Inc. is the only source known to the agency which has a completely compatible upgrade to increase the existing system's throughput rate. This is not a request for competitive solicitations nor is an RFQ available. Vendors who believe they have a commercially available, off-the-shelf upgrade to the existing system which meets the above requirements must submit a capability statement containing sufficient technical detail to determine if the upgrade can fulfill the above requirements. Capability statements/descriptive literature must be received at the address contained in this announcement by 12:00 PM (Noon)(EDT)on August 1, 2000. 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 submitted will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Questions may be addressed to Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent, at (301) 402-4509. Collect calls will not be accepted. Posted 07/12/00 (W-SN473981). (0194)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0362 20000714\66-0004.SOL)

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