Notice of Intent to Sole Source to Qiagen, LLC. for robotic nucleic acid extraction equipment and extraction kits

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases hereby announces its intent to issue a sole source order/contract to Qiagen, LLC., 19300 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD, 20874. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The Centers for Diesase Control and Prevention is looking for a vendor who who carries robotic nucleic acid extraction equipment and extraction kits compatible with the Qiagen extraction platforms meeting the Infectious Disease Laboratory performance parameters such as sample preparation, high quality nucleic acid yield, and premier data quality. The QiaCube Connect MDx robotic equipment is specifically designed for nucleic acid extraction using the Qiagen DNA extraction kits currently used by the WDPB’s CLIA-accredited FLIA lab for the diagnostic testing of clinical specimens. These Qiagen extraction kits have been fully optimized and validated for manual extraction of DNA for use in real-time PCR, which is considered gold-standard. The QiaCube HT fully automated DNA extraction instrument is designed for mid- to high-throughput nucleic acid extraction and purification for up to 96 samples at once. The robotic QiaCube Connect MDx and QiaCube HT instruments will notably enhance the current extraction procedures by reducing manual intervention which can introduce undesired hand-to-hand variations impacting the test results. The QiaCube HT will increase reliability and convenience and save valuable time as it has the capacity to work with up to 96 samples simultaneously in each run thereby providing a faster turnaround time for real-time PCR results. Moreover the QiaCube Connect MDx and QiaCube HT closed-off system will strengthen extraction precision by minimizing the sample-to-sample contamination risk and improving high-quality DNA results which is highly desirable in clinical testing. This action is for supplies which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit quotations. This is not a request for competitive quotations ; however, the Government will review any/all product, capabilities, and pricing information submitted prior to the closure of this notice. 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 responses should be emailed to Zachary Perez (CTR) at [email protected] by June 2nd, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. ET.