Automated Liquid Handling Robot

Background
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Acquisitions and Grants Services (OAGS), is issuing this Sources Sought announcement on behalf of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to identify vendors capable of providing a robotic liquid handling system.

This requirement supports the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) which monitors antimicrobial resistance in pathogens affecting humans and animals. The goal is to procure an Automated Robotic Liquid Handling System that will automate labor-intensive bead purification and DNA shearing steps involved in long-read sequencing library preparation, improving workflow consistency, throughput, and operational efficiency under the One Health initiative.

Work Details
The contract involves the purchase of an Automated Robotic Liquid Handling System with the following salient characteristics:
- Automate DNA shearing (~10,000 bp) and bead cleanup for up to 96 samples
- Be compatible with PacBio Sequel IIe sequencing workflows
- Support user-defined workflows (minimum two additional workflows)
- Provide pipetting range of 1–1000 µL with ≤5% error
- Support 96-well plates, 384-well plates, reagent reservoirs, magnetic separation systems, and transfer liquids between plates and tube racks
- Include safety stop mechanisms (e.g., door open/error stop)
- Operate on standard 110V power
- Fit within footprint < 30” W x 25” D
- Include consumables for at least 96 samples.

Deliverables include a complete robotic liquid handling system, all required components and accessories, consumables sufficient for at least 96 samples, a minimum 12-month manufacturer warranty covering parts, labor, software support, firmware updates, technical support beginning upon Government acceptance, on-site training for a minimum of two users covering operation, maintenance, and workflow programming.

Period of Performance
Delivery shall occur within sixty (60) calendar days after contract award. Installation shall be completed within thirty (30) calendar days following delivery of all required components.

Place of Performance
FDA CVM Laboratory Facility, Bldg. MOD2, 8401 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD 20708.

Bidder Requirements
Vendors must provide a capability statement including company name, address, UEI; business size and socio-economic status; relevant experience with similar systems; description of proposed system meeting requirements; ability to meet delivery timeline; GSA Schedule contract information; identification of any small business subcontracting opportunities; identification of whether the proposed solution is manufactured by the respondent or an authorized distributor/reseller; identification of the manufacturer of the proposed system; identification of the country of origin of the proposed system and major components.