Notice of Intent DNA Synthesizer

The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) intends to award a Firm Fixed Price, sole source Contract on behalf of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to DNA Script Inc, located in Cambridge, MA, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as prescribed in RFO FAR 12.102(b) Restricting Competition for acquisitions valued over the SAT. This requirement is for the acquisition of 1 benchtop DNA synthesizer system with a preventative maintenance support contract for an additional 4 years. The benchtop unit shall meet the following minimum essential characteristics: 1. The synthesizer table-top dimensions must not exceed: 48 x 26 x 29 . The required vacuum cabinet (freestanding) is 33 x 26 x 26 (inches). 2. The synthesizer shall have same-day throughput e.g. 96 oligos of 20 nucleotides in length in approximately 6 hours and 120 nucleotides in less than 24 hours 3. The synthesizer shall synthesize oligos labeled with fluorophores, quenchers, or biotin with the use of appropriate reagent kits with up to 5 colors in parallel. 4. The synthesizer shall be fully automated: oligos are synthesized, quantified, and normalized in a single synthesis run without user interaction following an approximate range of 15 to 30 minutes of setup. 5. The synthesizer shall have console software that can be installed and hosted on a stand-alone, off-network computer connected to the synthesizer. 6. The synthesizer shall have no harsh organic solvents: the product uses biochemistry, composed of water-based reagents, proprietary enzymes, and proprietary nucleotides that are typically compliant with standard laboratory waste management systems. 7. The synthesizer can perform without any specific environmental control (no need for Argon or any Gas). 8. The synthesizer should have an output power capacity of 1800 W / 2200 VA, 120 VAC input/output voltage and NEMA 5-20P input connection. 9. The synthesizer should produce oligos as they occur in biology, producing oligos that are free of molecular defects or blemishes. 10. The data management software shall provide user authentication features to include: password complexity requirements; automatic logout; limited login attempts; and account inactivity period. 11. The data management software shall have full traceability for synthesis runs, quality control runs, instrument maintenance, reagent usage, user identification, and 5 years of support. 12. The synthesizer shall permit data export to a backup medium. 13. The contractor shall provide method validation services and on-site and off-site operator training, as well as on-site start up support. 14. The contractor shall provide onsite preventative and corrective maintenance for analyzers previously used in biocontainment laboratories (following decontamination). 15. The contractor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorized dealer, authorized distributor, or authorized reseller for the quoted equipment such that OEM warranty and service are provided and maintained by the OEM. All software licensing, warranty, and services associated with the equipment shall be in accordance with OEM terms and conditions. DNA Script is the only vendor who has a benchtop DNA synthesizer capable of producing 96 oligonucleotides of 20 nucleotides in lengths in 6 hours and 120 nucleotides in length in 24 hours. DNA Script also has the capability of adding biotin, quenchers, and fluorescent molecules to the oligonucleotides for downstream applications, reducing the cost of targeting pathogens. DNA Script s synthesizer is the only unit capable of meeting all the government s minimum essential characteristics. The safety features built into the synthesizer protect users by reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, dedicated fume vents, and gas cylinders limiting exposer to stored chemicals. This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirement under RFO FAR 5.101(a). This notice of intent is NOT a request for quotations (RFQ)…