6640--678 - FORMULATRIX LIQUID HANDLER

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a RFI only. The purpose of this RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 334516 (size standard of 1,000 Employees). Responses to this RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing an automated liquid handling system. The list of DRAFT characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required. Model Number Description Quantity (ea) Country of Origin 839079A FLO i8 V3 Positive Displacement Instrument Must provide installation on-site and user training. 1
838451A Positive Displacement Pipette Tips 1
Scope The Contractor shall provide an automated liquid handling system meeting the salient characteristics listed in this SOW. The Contractor shall deliver equipment, software, installation, and required documentation. The system will be used to automate aliquoting of biospecimens from source tubes into microplates for research distribution. Requirements The liquid handler shall transfer biospecimen aliquots from source containers into microplates. The system must support high throughput processing of 500 1,000 cases per batch. The system must enable precise low volume pipetting suitable for molecular assays. The system must handle diverse biological samples with minimal adjustment. The system must integrate into existing workflows and be operable by standard lab personnel. The system shall produce consistent, traceable, high-quality aliquots. Salient Characteristics MUST HAVE Eight independent Pipetting channels. MUST HAVE Volume capability from 0.5 uL to 1,000 µL. MUST HAVE Non-contact dispensing to 0.2 µL. MUST HAVE Compatible with liquids of varying viscosity and volatility. MUST HAVE Uses specialized positive displacement tips. MUST HAVE Liquid level and well bottom sensing. MUST HAVE Integrated camera/vision verification. MUST HAVE Precision CV < 5% at 0.5 µL. MUST HAVE Independent reach for plates, wells, and tubes. MUST Reduce consumable waste. MUST HAVE User-friendly software and intuitive programming. MUST HAVE Real time run monitoring with safety interlocks. MUST HAVE External API for system integration.
Performance Monitoring The Government will review delivered equipment, installation, and system functionality. Acceptance is based on demonstration that the system meets all salient characteristics. Security Requirements No sensitive data will be processed. Standard laboratory security applies. No additional cybersecurity controls are required. The Contractor shall implement all VA IT security requirements associated with system interconnection documentation required under a Memorandum of Understanding or Interconnection Security Agreement (MOU ISA). The SOP and MOU ISA template are available on the Information Protection Risk Management (IPRM) Portal and will be provided upon request. The Contractor shall comply with and support all IT security requirements associated with the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) of the VA system to which the Contractor s solution connects. The Contractor shall meet all performance obligations related to VA IT security, including submission of required deliverables, completion of personnel screening requirements, and execution of termination and off boarding activities as applicable. Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Information (GFI) The Government will provide laboratory space, power, and network access. No additional GFE/GFI will be provided. Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations Installation coordination with SHIELD staff is required. Training shall be provided if included with the procurement. All equipment shall include standard warranties. If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies and services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS, please explain. For instances where your company can meet the SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement. (2) Please review the list of SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc. (4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI? (5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS? (6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available). (7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified. (8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6? (9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items? (10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice? (11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act? (12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate. (13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail? (14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained. (15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate. (16) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s). (17) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract. (18) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. (19) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to jasmine.pressley-barnard@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Friday, May 22, 2025 by 10:00 AM PT Local. All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.