Intent to Sole Source Lab Instrument

Pursuant to FAR 13.106(b), USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), intends to award a sole source purchase order in that only one source and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirements. The contract will be a firm-fixed price purchase order under FAR PART 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items with Agilent Technologies, 2850 Centerville RD Wilmington, Delaware 19808-1610, United States. The USDA-APHIS-S&T-PPCDL Laboratory located at 9901 Powder Mill Rd. Bldg 580 Laurel, MD 20708, has a requirement for an TapeStation 4200 that can automate electrophoresis of nucleic acid, which is an integral step in molecular diagnostic assays and sample quality control for sequencing. The statement of work (SOW) and sole source justification are attached. The instrument must be able to integrate with the PT and Methods Validation programs’ technical requirements: it can analyze sample nucleic acid length, concentration, and integrity for a large range of sample types. Furthermore, it can be used for just a few samples up to 96 samples, encompassing the range of needs for both groups.These systems will be used in accordance with validated work instructions to characterize plant reference material and to develop new diagnostic protocols for plant pathogens of concern to the US. These systems will outfit lab spaces for PPCDL’s PT and Methods Development groups, who lost their previous lab space to a fire. The requirement is essential to meeting the government's needs. All responsible sources capable providing the supply item listed above (and detailed in the attached SOW and justification) may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. The response must explain completely and in detail how the item meets each characteristic indicated in the justification and SOW (see attached). Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. The Government will not reimburse participants for information they provide. This is a notice of intent to sole source with fair opportunity for all responsible sources to see the solicitation and respond if capable. Information provided is strictly voluntary. Please email responses to Samantha Johnson at [email protected] no later than the time indicated below. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submission is 09/27/2022, at 3:00 p.m. central time. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334516 with a small business size standard of less than 1000 employees.