Automated Nucleic Acid Purification System

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) requires a fully automated machine to purify nucleic acids and proteins from a variety of sample types. The purchase should also include a 3-year service agreement for the machine. Typically, the extraction of nucleic acids and protein from samples is done by hand and takes numerous hours. This piece of laboratory equipment must automate this process, thus saving work time. This machine will be used to extract DNA and RNA from piglet fecal, organ, and blood samples. A Firm-Fixed-Price award is anticipated. Technical requirements: The machine must fully automate the extraction of proteins and nucleic acids from 12 samples at one time, and output purified nucleic acid or protein. It should use spin-column-based sample preparation kits and have the capacity to automate over 80 kits with over 140 standard protocols. Three-year service agreement should be included and cover on-site visits for repair, parts, and labor. Deliverables/Schedule: Units should be delivered during normal business hours within 90 days of award. Ship To: USDA/ARS/ABBL 10300 Baltimore Avenue BLDG 307, RM 309, BARC-EAST Beltsville, MD 20705 Please provide complete specifications and price breakdown. EVALUATON FACTORS FOR AWARD This is a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection. The most important factor is price. Specifications factor is significantly less important that cost or price. The lowest priced quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability. If determined not technically acceptable, it will be removed from competition and the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability. This will continue until the lowest priced quote is determined technically acceptable. Once the lowest priced quote is determined technically acceptable, evaluations will be closed and award will be made. Quotes will be evaluated for the ability to satisfy the technical requirements listed above. The Government will award the contract to the offeror whose quote provides the lowest price based upon meeting a Go/No-Go on technical acceptability evaluation criteria as follows: Factor 1 - Price Factor 2 Specifications Provide a specification sheet showing the technical requirements are satisfied. Notice of Set-Aside for Small Business Concerns: This requirement is a Total Small Business Set Aside. The associated NAICS Code is 423490 Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers. The small business size standard is 150 employees. All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Specialist, Roger Ammons, via email to roger.ammons@usda.gov. Questions must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM ET on August 14, 2023. No questions will be answered after this date unless determined to be in the best interest of the Government as deemed by the Contracting Officer. Telephone requests for information will not be accepted or returned.