KingFisher PlasmidPro Maxi Processor

Background
The solicitation is issued by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the procurement of a KingFisher PlasmidPro Maxi Processor. This acquisition supports the diagnostic mission of the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) and the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF), focusing on developing diagnostic capabilities for highly pathogenic zoonotic pathogens that threaten American agriculture.

Work Details
The contractor is required to deliver and install a fully automated plasmid purification system that meets specific technical requirements. The system must:
- Be fully automated, allowing users to load bacterial culture and return only to collect purified plasmid.
- Consistently purify plasmids greater than 3kb in size.
- Produce maxiprep-scale plasmid yields (500 µg – 1mg) that are endotoxin-free and ready for transfection immediately after removal from the system.
- Fit within a 24x24 inch benchtop footprint and be self-contained without needing an external computer or software.
- Complete the purification process from bacterial culture to purified plasmid in under 90 minutes.
The contractor will also provide on-site installation, performance verification, and training for operation of the system.

Period of Performance
Delivery of the system is required within 60 days of award.

Place of Performance
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), 1980 Denison Ave, Manhattan, KS 66506.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must ensure that personnel performing installation and training are trained and certified by the vendor providing the system. Access to the NBAF requires a suitability assessment and approval from NBAF security, which may take up to 2 weeks for US citizens and up to 45 days for non-US citizens. Additionally, personnel may need to enter BSL-3 laboratories, which requires specific safety protocols.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract based on the prior award 1232SA21D0001-12639523F0975, awarded to Life Technologies Corporation for a “KINGFISHER PURIFICATION SYSTEM” valued at $64,616 (09/29/21–09/28/26). The current RFQ is also for a KingFisher PlasmidPro Maxi Processor and requires installation, performance verification, and training for an automated plasmid purification workflow, which suggests the prior work is a similar or continuing procurement of the same KingFisher purification platform.