Inactive

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES Type of Notice: Sources Sought Title: 12905B23SS0028 – Sources Sought for Liquid Handling Instrument Description: This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitatio... CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES Type of Notice: Sources Sought Title: 12905B23SS0028 – Sources Sought for Liquid Handling Instrument Description: This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. This requirement is covered under NAICS code 334516. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Liquid handling instrument to allow automated processing of up to 96 samples without user intervention. Instrument will be added to current workflow of tick sample processing for identification of parasitic species. Instrument will allow for implementation of multiple workflows for high-throughput testing. Salient Characteristics of Automated Pipettor Workstation Liquid handling instrument with 1-50ul & 40-1000ul single-channel and 40-1000ul multi-channel dispensing tools on a robotic arm which operate by a touch-screen computer supplied with the instrument for controlling the software and system functions Completely contained housing including door safety mechanism to stop operation if door is opened Fixed deck with six secure ANSI/SLAS workstations with options to hold microtubes & 96-well plates, reagent reservoirs, or tube and pipette tip racks Integrated touchscreen PC controller to operate the instrument using existing protocols for liquid additions and mixing and the ability to verify additional user commands and model the automated program before implementation Availability of annual preventative maintenance program and tool calibration to ensure instrument performance Optical sensor for detecting liquid levels, labware and tips Automatic sensing of 96-well plates or pipette tip racks loaded Automated processing of up to 96 samples Automation protocol application optimization and support Must contain integrated module that facilitates heating, cooling and mixing of samples in one location Includes optional magnet plate allowing bead-based purification in plates with minimal elution volumes for DNA extraction application Must contain HEPA Air Filter and UV Light for Decontamination of workspace Installation will be at the end-user’s location and performed by vendor’s trained engineers. On-site training will occur at the end-user’s location during installation, to focus on operation and maintenance of the equipment On-site training will occur at the end-user’s location after installation, to focus on applications used with the robot Must have automatic exchange of pipette tools and gripper within program methods which avoids manual intervention during an application run Includes optional gripper tool allows for moving labware to different deck positions or stacking of plates and tip boxes Contains database of predefined labware and consumables for all components used on the worktable Offers define user levels and access rights for increased operational security The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Capability Statement All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. Capability statements shall include the Contractors contact point to discuss their response. The capability statement should include: 1) Acknowledgement that they are able to provide the subject supplies/services being requested; 2) Interested vendors should identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration; 3) At least three previous requirements that are similar to the requirement include a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration, etc.; 4) Any other information considered relevant to this requirement; and 5) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. Any vendor responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine their qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on sam.gov depending on the responses received. All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by the notice’s POC by the deadline in order to be considered. Responses may not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.