Robotic Handling System

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS Suite 600, Room 6070, Rockville, MD 20852, UNITED STATES. Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cancer Center Research (CCR), Metabolism Branch plans to procure on a sole source basis a robotic handling system from Beckman Coulter, 250 South Kraemer Blvd, Brea, CA 92822 and associated twelve month service contract. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106 (b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. Delivery Date: February 28, 2013 It has been determined that there is no opportunity to acquire green products or services under this contract. The NCI Metabolism Branch is tasked with identifying the genetic causes of lymphomas (lymphoid cancer), and developing drugs to therapeutically treat this disease. The Metabolism Branch is employing genomic scale RNA interference (RNAi) library screens to identify essential genes in cancer. The bacterial clones representing a genomic scale RNAi library have already been purchased. To begin using this product in screens for therapeutic targets, the Metabolism Branch must prepare DNA from all 160,000 clones in the library. The Metabolism Branch requires an automated robotic handling system consisting of multiple instruments to process the 160,000 clones of plasmid DNA that will become a resource for the CCR. The Beckman Coulter robotic handling system will contain an automated liquid handling workstation to perform competitive DNA normalization and DNA preparation as well as an integrated absorbance plate reader to provide the detection for the quantitative data that will be used by the Metabolism Branch's existing liquid handler to automatically determine both concentration and volume to provide DNA normalization in a 96 well format. Future on-site expansion must be able to accommodate off deck ambient storage of additional microplates as throughput requirements increase. The following salient characteristics apply to the Beckman Coulter robotic handling system: Liquid Handling Units - modular-based platforms designed to accommodate a variety of sample throughput in 96-, 384-, and 1536-well formats - single arm with one Span-8 head with rotating gripping unit - single arm with one 96-channel head with a gripping unit with validated chemistry for DNA preparation - 96-channel multichannel head to run the validated chemistries of Beckman Coulter Agencourt CosMCPrep. This system has pipetting accuracies of 3% CV at volumes of 1 - L. The 96 channel head is upgradeable with a 384 channel head. - automatic tip loading and unloading achieved using pneumatic control. The deck of each system has at least 15 positions to provide the capacity needed. - system is able to wash the disposable tips, unload and reload the same tips in order to re-use the disposable tips. The systems are capable of adding a 96 or 384 channel active wash station with speed pump included. - liquid handling systems is able to operate as a stand alone workstation as well as with the option of fully integrated external labware storage and other devices - laser light curtain allows for complete work area accessibility while still providing operator safety. The light curtain is automatically controlled and may be activated or deactivated periodically to allow external robotic access to the work deck without manual attention. The lab positioners must be raised off the deck to allow wiring and tubing to be protected below the work area this also aids in operator safety. - liquid handlers include a self-calibration system with a laser system to allow for quick and easy calibration - liquid handlers have an integrated gripper with both the 96-channel and 384-channel head that are able to move labware to and from stacker carousels and automated hotels, move labware stacks, and distribute stacked labware (up to four standard microplates) along the work deck Software Control - runs on an external computer using a windows-based program. - provides the ability to optimally transfer liquids between various microplate formats through the use of pre-defined pipetting techniques - provides drag and drop commands, import/export functions, worklisting capability, advanced sample tracking capability, loop functionality, variables, if/then commands, and collapsible/expandable method reviews - able to track samples in each well and allow well calculation manipulation and well sample reporting - supports predefined pipetting techniques that include special low volume pipetting controls, taking into account variability of viscosity/surface tension from one reagent/solvent to another. These pipetting techniques can be quickly and easily called upon in a pipetting method by solvent name from a list of characterized fluids. - operating system software has Simulation Software for Desktop method writing and visual viewing of the method written. The robotic simulation provides a 360-degree view of the robot and allows for observation of the robotic execution of the method written. The software also provides the total amount of time that it will take to run the method written. Microplate Detection - includes the patented multichannel optical design of the SpectraMax 190. This Absorbance Microplate Reader mimics a dual beam spectrophotometer, measures each sample in the plate directly, and eliminates measurement error due to variations in light output between optical fibers on other instruments for more reliable data reporting. - eight-channel system delivers both high precision and speed when reading 96-well microplates for endpoint measurements, kinetic assays, and spectral scans. Chemistry Requirements - uses Beckman Coulter Genomics (Agencourt) SPRI methods in a fully automated format. This fully validated method shows data and an operational facility regularly performing purifications using both the automation and SPRI Interface equipped with a quick startup menu, a deck setup walkthrough menu, a method recovery menu, and a procedure menu. - Agencourt CosMCPrep methods incorporate a simplified, graphical user interface to allow for sample plate customization. Default settings; such as sample type, number of samples, plate dry time and elution volume; provide a general starting point for the user. Beckman Coulter is the only known contractor that can provide such a robotic handling system that is compatible with the Metabolism Branch's existing robotic system. In addition, the use of a robotic handling system from a contractor other than Beckman Coulter would void warranties of the Metabolism Branch's existing system. Therefore, Beckman Coulter is the only know contractor that can fulfill the requirements of this contract. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI Office of Acquisition on or before 11:00 AM EST on February 11, 2013. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax) an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI Office of Acquisition to the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Laura Glockner, Contract Specialist at laura.glockner@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through SAM.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-130033-LG on all correspondence.