6695--Quant Studio 5 Quantitative PCR Machine

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Office of Research and Development (R&D), Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East in Pittsburgh, PA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Fisher Scientific. The requirement is for the procurement of one (1) QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System and accessories. The requirement is for the contractor to provide and ship this equipment (all components that make up this system) to the Tennessee VA Medical Center, TN. This procurement shall be inclusive of shipping and handling charges (FBO Destination). This procurement is being conducted IAW FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirements; and VHAPM Part 806.3, Other Than Full and Open Competition less than SAT for Open Market Items. This is because the Government asserts that Fisher Scientific is the only contractor that can provide this specific equipment needed by the Tennessee VA Medical Center. Specifically, the salient characteristics of the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System that are unique are as follows: The system utilizes the Connect platform providing up to 1 TB of storage space. The system can be used with online scientific analysis apps available through the Connect platform. The system comes with desktop-based software, allowing for run setup, single-plate analysis, and multi-plate study. The instrument does not require a field service engineer (FSE) visit for installation and can be set up by the end user directly out of the box. An IT checklist is provided to streamline Internet connectivity. Instrument installation does not require dye calibration. The instrument s block is accessible from the front of the instrument to maximize bench space, and is fully motorized. The instrument includes a long-lasting bright white LED (light-emitting diode) source that has a median lifetime of at least 60,000 hours The instrument s touchscreen interface allows for editing of thermal protocols, including editing of individual PCR stages, individual PCR steps, VeriFlex Block settings, Auto Delta settings, programmable pause settings, temperature settings, step duration settings, reaction volume settings, heated cover temperature, and ramp rate settings. The instrument includes an OptiFlex system that combines six decoupled excitation and emission filter sets to enable collection of up to 21 unique combinations of wavelengths during a single run for multiplexing on the 96-well block instrument. The instrument includes an OptiFlex system that combines five coupled excitation and emission filter sets to enable collection of up to five unique combinations of wavelengths during a single run for multiplexing on the 384-well block instrument. The instrument supports at least two reaction chemistries, the fluorogenic 5 nuclease assay using Applied Biosystems TaqMan ® probes, and the DNA-binding chemistry of Applied Biosystems SYBR Green dye. The instrument has real-time quantitative PCR installation specifications to demonstrate the ability to distinguish 5,000 template copies from 10,000 copies at a 99.7% confidence level. The instrument software collects information on both TaqMan and SYBR Green assay chemistries in the same run by collecting different filter colors for PCR vs. melt curve stages. The instrument desktop software includes a security and auditing module that facilitates 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement and supporting documentation to the Contract Specialist no later than Thursday, September 22nd, 2022, (2:00 PM, EST). Interest/capability statements may be sent by email to Anthony LeAnder at Anthony.leander@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.