Brand Name or Equivalent, Purchase of Bravo Standalone Automated Liquid Handling Platform NGS Option A with a 96 Channel ST Head and a PlateLoc microplate sealer
I. Description of Requirement
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of the Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Genomics Core has the requirement to procure a Bravo Standalone Automated Liquid Handling Platform NGS Option A with a 96 Channel ST Head and a PlateLoc microplate sealer manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc., 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA. 95051, or Equal.
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The combined synopsis/ solicitation number is N02RC42560-83. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC 20) 05-72, (January 2014) Simplified Procedures for a Commercial Item. The Government contemplates only one award of a Firm-Fixed Price contract. The Associated North America Industry Classification Code (NAICS) 334516 and the Business Size Standard are 500. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement.
The Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute has multiple laboratories that provide genomics technologies to the CCR research community to advance cancer research, including the CCR Genomics Core and the CCR Genetics Branch. Investigating genetics alterations and their effects on the development and biology of cancer represents one of the most important avenues of current cancer research. The Genomics core is currently providing Next-Generation sequencing (NGS) services and would like to acquire the instrument to automate their NGS library preparation and target enrichment protocols in order to scale up their support of these services which are increasingly in demand, and to take advantage of the recently upgraded capability to execute 96 samples/run on the government owned MiSeq Sequencer. The Bravo platform is a versatile automated liquid handling system that aspirates and dispenses liquids with high accuracy and precision over a wide volume from 300nl to 250µl with 5 % CV ± 10 % accuracy from various single-well to full-microplate configurations, including row or column-wise pipetting for serial dilutions. The design allows it to be used without a specialized biological hood, and without an air compressor, while at the same time permits access from all sides for easy integration with other NGS devices, enabling easy increase in throughput and productivity. The VWorks Automation Control Software provides a user-friendly interface and is optimized and tested for Agilent SureSelectXT library preparation and target enrichment reagents but can also provide a simplified new protocol setup.
The CCR is in need of a versatile automated liquid handling system that aspirates and dispenses liquids with high accuracy and precision over a wide volume from 300nl to 250µl with 5 % CV ± 10 % accuracy from various single-well to full-microplate configurations, including row or column-wise pipetting for serial dilutions. Different easy-change head types shall be swapped in minutes, and numerous platepad options are available to enable a wide range of assays providing great versatility in protocol development to fit the CCR's diverse needs. The design of the platform shallbe open to allow for access from all sides for system integration with other NGS-related instruments. The softwareshall have protocols already developed and optimized to support multiple NGS sample preparation methods, and be compatible with the ones the core is currently using.
The following salient characteristics apply - The system must include:
a. Compact, space-saving nine microplate-position footprint that can fit on a standard bench top or laminar flow hood without disrupting air flow if needed.
b. Fully customizable platform with each position configurable for shaking, heating and cooling.
c. 96 Channel LT Head and a 96 Channel ST Head for high-accuracy pipetting and dispensing from 300 nL to 250 uL with 5 % CV ± 10 % accuracy in 96-well microplates with either disposable or fixed tips for specific applications.
d. Dispenses 2 uL with 2.1 % CV ± 3.3 % accuracy.
e. Unique open design permits access from all sides for system integration as well as stand alone use.
f. Different easy-change head types can be swapped quickly to enable easy scale up.
g. Compatible with major leading sequencers and complementary applications, such as PCR plate setup and nucleic acid purification.
h. Powered by VWorks Automation Control Software with outstanding event driven scheduler, easy-to-use graphical interface, and innovative error recovery technology, so complete control is easy for all levels of operators.
i. Software should have existing optimized and tested protocols for Agilent SureSelectXT library preparation and target enrichment reagents as well as additional automation protocols available for a variety of other reagents for various NGS applications'. PlateLoc Thermal Microplate Sealer should be programmable easy to use and flexible, accommodating a wide range of microplates and tube racks.
k. Microplate Sealer should create a high precision seal to preserve integrity of low volume samples during heated incubations and even overnight.
II. Delivery
Contractor(s) shall deliver the item within four - eight weeks after award to NIH/NCI Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The Contractor that receives the award will be provided with the complete mailing address and point of contact. Upon delivery, contractor must notify the NCI Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to schedule the installation date and time.
III. Installation
The contractor shall install the equipment and have ready to use within seven (7) days after delivery. The purchase will include installation of the instrument and accessories.
IV. Training
Contractor shall provide training on proper use of equipment, software and related use for seven (5)
NCI researchers at above location within one week of installation by Agilent engineers and specialists.
V. Payment
Payment shall be made after delivery, installation, and successful operation of the equipment. Payment authorization requires submission and approval of invoice to the NCI COR and NIH Commercial Accounts.
QUOTATIONS ARE DUE: July 28, 2014 at 11:00 am, EST.
PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The following provisions and clauses will be incorporated by reference:
52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal
(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as quote mark brand name or equal, quote mark the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government's needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that quote mark equal quote mark products must meet are specified in the solicitation.
(b) To be considered for award, offers of quote mark equal quote mark products; including quote mark equal quote mark products of the brand name manufacturer, must-
(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;
(2) Clearly identify the item by-
(i) Brand name, if any; and
(ii) Make or model number;
(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and
(4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification.
(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate quote mark equal quote mark products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.
(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an quote mark equal quote mark product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.
(End of provision)
52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors Commercial Items
52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items:
The purchase order will be awarded to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). The award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of quotations meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for the requirements/technical specifications stated above. The technical evaluation will be a determination based on information furnished by the vendor. The Government is not responsible for locating or securing any information which is not identified in the proposal. The Government reserves the right to make an award without discussions.
52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (November 2013) WITH DUNS NUMBER ADDENDUM (52.204-6 (July 2013):
52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
52.212-5 Contract terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders---Commercial Items (January 2014). The following additional FAR clauses cited in this clause are applicable:
(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:
52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S .C. 2402)
52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First Tier Subcontract Awards
52.209-6, Protecting the Government' Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment
52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns
52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns
52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation
52.222-3, Convict Labor
52.222-19 Child Labor Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies
52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities
52.222-26 Equal Opportunity
52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans
52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities
52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act
52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans
52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving
52.225-1 Buy American Act - Supplies
52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchase
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer System for awards Management
52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels
52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies-Fixed Price
Full text copies of the representations and certifications for other cited provisions and clauses many be obtained on line at the NCI website at http://ncioa.cancer.gov/oa-internnet/ or from Gwennifer Epps, Contracting Officer at [email protected].
Quotations must be received in the NCI-OA contracting office by 11:00 a.m. EST on July 28, 2014. Please refer to the solicitation number N02RC42560-83 on all correspondence. No collect calls will be accepted. Faxed or electronic mail quotations will NOT be accepted.
OFFERORS: Offers must be submitted on an SF-1449 with a completed 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items-with DUNS Number Addendum, signed by an authorized representative of the offeror OR provide a copy of the valid certification registrations of the offeror's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov.
All questions shall be in writing and may be addressed to the aforementioned individual noted above by July 28, 2014. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representation and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov.
Gwennifer K. Epps, Contracting Officer, Phone 240-276-5445, Fax 240-276-5401, Email [email protected] - Terry Galloway, Contracting Officer, Phone 240-276-5384, Fax 240-276-5401, Email [email protected]
