A--LYOPHILIZATION AND PACKAGING OF QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME POLYMERASE CHAINREACTION MASTER-MIX REAGENTS AND GENE-SPECIFIC ASSAYS

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) has a requirement for Lyophilization and Packaging of Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT PCR) Master-Mix Reagents and Gene-Specific Assays to complete ongoing research and development studies and to prepare the WetLab2 payload for flight on SpaceX-7. The overall work shall be the lyophilization of qRT PCR master mix enzymes and reagents sourced by the vendor in the reaction chamber of NASA-modified Cepheid SmartCycler tubes, with the addition of specific reagents that will be provided by NASA to the vendor. The deliverables shall be comprised of a Phase 1 batch of 1464 Lyophilized qRT PCR Assays for research and development and a Phase 2 Batch of 1464 Lyophilized qRT PCR Assays for Spaceflight. This task requires a specific formulation of stable lyophilized chemical reagents not available commercially to conduct the qRT PCR reactions on orbit. NASA ARC intends to purchase the requirement from BioGX, Inc. Because the reagents are intended for both spaceflight and spaceflight experiment verification testing prior to spaceflight, we must use the same source whose product has already been tested and evaluated in the laboratory by NASA and has demonstrated long-term storage and flight technical viability for use on the International Space Station. Since the biochemical performance and localization of the lyophilized product vary from vendor to vendor, and lot to lot, it is a science requirement to purchase the reagents from the same vendor that has already been tested by the Wetlab-2 Project science team in order to achieve consistent results during Mission Verification Tests and Spaceflight. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on September 25, 2014. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/p ub_library/Omb.html .