Notice of Intent - Sole Source, SequalPrep Normalization Plates for DNA sequencing

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate and award a purchase order, on a sole source basis, under authority of RFO FAR 6.103-1, with Life Technologies Corporation (UEI JXAKAG32BVN4) for SequalPrep normalization plates to standardize DNA quantity and to remove low quality short DNA fragments that can disrupt sequencing. The normalization plates are for use in next-generation sequencing protocols, including but not limited to environmental DNA (eDNA), Genotyping-in-Thousands by sequencing (GT-seq), and whole genome resequencing. NOAA requires high-quality DNA material and yields that are crucial to downstream sequencing. The normalization plates must clean up and normalize the recovery of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) reaction products in one process. With 5 µl of PCR reaction, the resulting extract must be between 1.2 and 25 ng/µl of products per well within a 2- to 3-fold concentration range. No set aside is to be used for this sole source requirement. The associated NAICS code is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The sole source determination is based on Life Technologies Corporation being the only vendor NOAA is aware of providing normalization plates producing the extracts within the necessary concentration of DNA quantity necessary for sequencing at the quality levels required by NOAA. NOAA has conducted extensive testing on several other normalization plates with yields of insufficient concentrations to support its DNA sequencing needs. Additionally, NOAA has established and validated sequencing workflows based on SequalPrep Normalization Plates across multiple projects involving population genomics, genetic stock identification, environmental DNA, and whole-genome sequencing applications. Existing laboratory protocols, quality control procedures, automation workflows, and historical performance metrics have been developed specifically around the SequalPrep platform. Substitution of an alternative normalization technology would require extensive method development, validation, and comparison testing to demonstrate equivalency. Such efforts would increase costs, delay project timelines, consume limited sample material, and introduce uncertainty into ongoing analyses. Accordingly, NOAA has determined that the SequalPrep normalization plates provided by Life Technologies Corporation are the only responsible source to fulfill NOAA’s requirements, and no other type of supplies will satisfy those requirements. The period of performance is anticipated to be for a twelve month base period and three twelve month optional (per FAR 52.217-7) ordering periods. During each twelve month period, NOAA intends to order a quantity of twenty (20) normalization plates. The plates must be delivered to 17109 PT LENA LOOP RD, JUNEAU, AK 99801. This presolicitation notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation or a request for additional information in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 calendar days after publication of this presolicitation notice. Such requests and documentation 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 conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.