ChemiDoc Go Imaging System with Image Lab Touch Software

The ChemiDoc Go Imaging System with Image Lab Touch Software is being procured under a sole-source acquisition by the National Institutes of Health through the Department of Health and Human Services, with the solicitation number 26-003616 and a response deadline of May 15, 2026. The system is required to feature a 20.4-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS detector with 16-bit imaging depth and high dynamic range to ensure precise gel and blot analysis, accurate band densitometry, and seamless compatibility with existing stain-free workflows and Smart Tray accessories. It must operate as a fully standalone unit with an integrated 9.7-inch touchscreen interface, eliminating the need for external computers to comply with NIH cybersecurity protocols and avoid revalidation of established laboratory procedures. Alternative systems using CCD sensors or line-scan architectures are explicitly excluded due to incompatibility with validated SOPs and the risk of disrupting longitudinal data integrity. The procurement is governed by a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation model, meaning only proposals that fully meet all technical requirements—such as detector type, field of view, light source, and physical footprint—are considered acceptable, with award going to the lowest-priced among them. The system must fit within constrained benchtop and biosafety cabinet spaces and be delivered to the designated government laboratory site in Bethesda, Maryland, though performance and delivery are specified to occur at the manufacturer’s location in Hercules, California. No formal contract clauses, packaging specifications, marking requirements, payment details, COR/COTR information, or invoicing instructions are provided, and no options, security clearances, or socioeconomic certifications are applicable. The acquisition, estimated between $15,000 and $350,000, is classified as a simplified purchase due to its unique technical necessity and vendor exclusivity, making Bio-Rad’s ChemiDoc Go the only system capable of preserving workflow continuity, data consistency, and operational efficiency in NIH research environments.