RFI - GEIS Network Illumina Sequencing Platform Modernization

The Defense Health Agency, through its Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Network, is seeking information on commercial offerings to modernize its Illumina sequencing infrastructure by transitioning to the MiSeq i100 Plus platform across 18 global laboratory sites, including locations in Japan, Germany, Kenya, Peru, and Guam. This Request for Information, issued under FAR 15.101(c), aims to assess market availability and determine if a commercially available product meets mission-critical technical and security requirements, with responses due by May 29, 2026. The solicitation number is HT942726QJBS2, and all submissions must be sent electronically to Jeffrey Sprecher at the Defense Health Agency in Fort Detrick, Maryland. The core objective is to replace legacy sequencing platforms with a system that integrates Illumina’s proprietary DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform for onboard genomic analysis, ensuring data remains secure within air-gapped, DoD environments without external network connectivity. The technical specifications demand absolute compliance with non-negotiable criteria: all sequencing reagents must be stable at room temperature to eliminate cold-chain logistics, enabling deployment in austere or remote operational settings; the system must achieve and maintain an Authority to Operate under DoDI 8510.01’s Risk Management Framework; and it must be deliverable with installation, training, and annual Silver-level service support at all 18 global locations. These requirements reflect the unique operational and cybersecurity demands of military public health surveillance, making the Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus the only currently viable solution due to its patented XLEAP-SBS chemistry and integrated DRAGEN technology, which excludes third-party alternatives. Respondents are required to submit a one-page cover letter, a completed Respondent Information Form detailing SAM registration, TAA compliance, and small business status, and a Requirements Compliance Matrix addressing seven technical specifications. While no formal contract value, evaluation weights, or award basis are defined—consistent with an RFI’s market research purpose—the structure of the requirements strongly indicates that any subsequent solicitation would prioritize technical superiority and mission assurance over cost, making a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable approach unlikely. The place of performance is Falls Church, Virginia, with delivery extending globally.