Bio-RAD CFX Opus DW RT PCR Instrument for FSD with Laptop

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: 

The USDA, Rural Development (RD), Procurement Management Office intends to award a sole source, Firm-Fixed Price Contract for a New CFX Opus Deepwell Real-Time PCR System (Bio-Rad part # 17007991) with 1 year manufacturer warranty. 96-well, 5-color plus FRET, network-connected real-time PCR detection system, includes CFX Opus 96 base unit, and cables. Exact machine (with FSD CFX Laptop (Bio-Rad part # 1201749) required to ensure 100% equivalent assay performance and comparable data output with an existing machine and our existing protocols.

The requesting agency is USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Project Requirements:

1. Overall performance and functional specifications similar to a Bio-Rad CFX Opus 96 Real-Time PCR System part # 12011319.
2. Compatible with standard semi-skirted 0.2ml 96-well plates (e.g., USA Scientific Cat# 1402-9800) and SYBR Green I mix assays (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific #A46012) with sample volumes from 1-125 ul.
3. ≥5 channels optical detection for multiplex probe assays, with dynamic range ≥10 orders of magnitude
4. Network-connected via ethernet for remote system control and data output to network connected storage or desktop PC
5. Compatible with Bio-Rad’s “CFX-Maestro” Windows 10 and 11 PC software for real-time PCR plate setup, data collection, statistics, and graphing of results
6. Compact benchtop size (dimensions ≤33x56x36 WxDxH)

This contract action is for a supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit from only one Source under the authority of 41 U.S. Code § 3304(a)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. A Justification and Approval for Sole Source Justification will be prepared.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a Small Business Size Standard of $1,000 Million.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS.

NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE WILL BE ISSUED. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations.

However, interested parties may identify their interest by submitting capability information (not to exceed 5 pages) to this requirement no later than August 29, 2026, at 3:00PM, Eastern Time (ET), in-order-to establish the ability of the source to meet this requirement. Responses must include sufficient evidence that clearly shows the vendor is capable of providing the same equipment mentioned above. If no written response is received, that clearly demonstrates the vendor's ability to meet all of the requirements of the PCR system, then USDA RD shall proceed with an award on a sole source basis to BIO-RAD.

A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct competitive procurement.

The USDA Rural Development will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine if a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award.

Interested parties are encouraged to furnish information by email only with “RESPONSE TO INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE Bio-Rad CFX Opus DW RT PCR Instrument for FSD” in the subject line. All documents submitted, will not be returned. All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to Contracting Officer, Marisol Olivera by email at marisol.olivera@usda.gov. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements.

Point of Contact: Marisol Olivera, Contracting Officer (e-mail: marisol.olivera@usda.gov).

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.