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Request for Information (RFI) for Biological Sequencing Devices in support of new program of record. 1. Objective: The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclea... Request for Information (RFI) for Biological Sequencing Devices in support of new program of record. 1. Objective: The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) is posting this RFI for market research, Analysis or Alternatives, and planning purposes. 2. Background: The Government is seeking a biological sequencing device capable of meeting the needs of USSOCOM requirements as well as the needs of the Joint force. Submission: Respondents are requested to provide the following information and responses to the below questions in their response to this RFI: The respondent’s name, address, point of contact, email, telephone number, DUNS/CAGE information, and business size (small or large). Is your company able to produce or provide a metagenomic sequencing device capable of meeting the specification listed in the Draft requirements below? Where is the device made and manufactured? Are there any consumables required for the device to function? What is the estimated costs per device? Please note we are not seeking proposals, we are seeking rough estimates at this time. Should you so choose; brochures, published technical specifications, and 3rd party performance verification. Can you provide any recommendations or clarification needed that the Government should consider on the below DRAFT requirements? DRAFT REQUIREMENT: Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Summary. Next Generation Biological Sequencing (NGBS) will provide a far forward capability that allows for earlier identification of biological materials of military concern than currently fielded equipment can achieve. The primary gap addressed by NGBS is the ability to identify and archive emerging or engineered Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs). Fielded biological detectors and identification devices are limited to HandHeld lateral-flow immunoAssays (HHAs) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Both detectors are incapable of keeping up with emerging biological threats and fail to identify engineered sections of known BWAs. If a substance is suspected of being engineered or modified, a false negative result will most likely be reported and the closest echelon laboratory capable of further investigation resides at the CONUS lab level. The decision delay caused by transporting samples to theater labs is unacceptable and fails to address any future operating environment or emerging threat. Operators will employ NGBS to enable tactical decisions on or near the objective while still transporting samples to theater-level assets for further confirmation. Overall Program Strategy: The NGBS Program aims to field a system capable of identifying known and emerging or engineered biological weapon threats to adjust force protective posture using tactically relevant information. Information produced by NGBS will also allow for detailed analysis and library updates through a reach-back process. It is envisioned that the delivered capability will support far-forward operations in expeditionary environments to include both fixed-site facilities and on the objective. The NGBS system is envisioned to be sampling equipment, consumables, and a sequencing device. The sequencing device will be capable of interfacing with a curated sequencing database, and have the capability to download the sequenced data onto a transmission device in order to send the data to a reach back analysis center. The NGBS system is envisioned to be sampling equipment, consumables, and a sequencing device. When used together, this system will allow for the identification and documentation of emerging or enhanced BWAs with the ability to reach back to biological warfare experts with detailed sequencing information. This system will decrease the detection to tactical decision timeline from weeks waiting on sample results to a matter of hours, saving countless lives and sustaining tactical capability. All equipment needed for untargeted sequencing on the objective will be handheld and fit the following size and weight requirements: The sequencing device should be smaller than 5” Length x 4” Width x 1” Height and weigh less than 3 pounds. a)The sequencing device should be lightweight and fit in a standard sized rucksack compartment. Sample preparation materials and required heating components should weigh no more than an additional 5 pounds. The display should be integrated into the sequencing device and be easy to read and provide an intuitive user interface to interpret on scene identification or detailed analysis. Battery power will support 240 minutes of sequencing and 60 minutes of non-sequencing time. a)Will be capable of plugging into standard US 120v with no adapter and 24v auxiliary port with adapter. All consumables used should have a shelf life of 1 year with no cold storage required. a)Storage and shipping temperatures are -40°C (-40°F) - +70°C (158°F). Can update software and the sequencing database through an approved portal using CAT5 cable connection to an approved network device. a)Sequencing information should be able to be transferred to the network using the same process. Using metagenomic sequencing, sample to answer time for high biomass, low complexity samples will occur in under 60 minutes for DNA viruses, bacteria, and fungi and 120 minutes for RNA viruses. Species identification should be completed within 30 minutes of starting the sequencing process. With a starting sample concentration of 10^6 colony forming unit or plaque forming unit, with a high biomass and low complexity sample, detect and identify all DNA and RNA viruses, bacteria, and fungi of military interest listed in BW Threat Module, DIA-F-10631, 08 Jan 2020 with consensus accuracies greater than 97% Special Notices: NONE Attached Documents: NONE Disclaimer and Important Notes: THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS SOURCES SOUGHT OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This request for information is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP), or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your responses to this sources sought will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this sources sought or Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or part, any contractor input resulting from this sources sought. The information resulting from this sources sought may be included in one or more RFP's, which may be released via the System for Award Management portal. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organizations’ capabilities. 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. Although it is highly encouraged, not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future proposal request. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Proprietary, confidential, privileged commercial or financial information submitted in the RFI response should be marked accordingly to ensure appropriate handling and disposition by the Government. No classified information shall be submitted in the RFI response. Only Government personnel will have access to information marked as proprietary. DUE DATE: Questions shall be submitted by 11 December 2021 to the Point(s) of Contact listed below. RFI submissions shall be submitted in writing (electronically via e-mail) to the Point(s) of Contact listed below. Submissions are due no later than 14 January 2022. Primary Point of Contact: Dan Adams dan.l.adams2.civ@army.mil (508) 206-2040 Secondary Point of Contact: Danielle Dechaine- Morris danielle.m.dechaine-morris.civ@army.mil (508) 206-2109