King Fisher Apex

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a Justification For Other Than Full and Open firm fixed price purchase order to Life Technologies . The King Fisher Apex is an automated extraction platform that uses magnetic bead technology. All of the branch protocols have been validated using magnetic bead technology that will no longer be supported after this calendar year. The branch has had a demonstration of this instrument and verified that the resulting purified nucleic acids have better purity than the instruments on which we have validated our protocols. For this reason, this instrument would maintain continuity of the protocols in place for viral detection, genotyping, and next generation sequencing. Other automated bead-based extraction systems move reagents in and out of wells, rather than using fixed magnetic rods with disposable tips to move the magnetic beads from well to well into successive reagents, preserving specimen and producing nucleic acids that are highly purified. The King Fisher Apex system is the only system in the market that can swiftly change heads from 96 to 24 depending on sample throughput. This platform also provides heating capabilities upon demand for chemistry requiring high temperatures for nucleic acid elution. The instrument is highly customizable allowing for use of chemistry from different vendors and workflows as well as nucleic acid purification. The Apex system is also the only instrument in the market that can process 96 samples in approximately 30 minutes, reducing the lead time for processing samples for downstream applications. The instrument has a small footprint which is critical for our lab requirements for a bench top instrument (max size 22”X18”). The instrument features an on-board computer eliminating the need for extra lab controller helping maintain the max size previously established. The instrument is also furnished with a touchscreen and smart graphical interface, completely avoiding the need for an extra monitor that will increase the footprint. Finally, the instrument can be integrated to robotic stations for automated workflows. This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of 6.302-1 and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals/quote. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at [email protected] by 8am, June 1, 2022.