Intent to Sole Source to Thermo Fisher Scientific for Specialized Scientific Equipment (KingFisher Apex)
ID: 143041-25-0009Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OFNATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATIONUS

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

PSC

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES (6640)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/b3edfc60e43e439da9a8bc50fd70ca0d/view
Timeline
    Description

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to negotiate a sole-source contract with Thermo Fisher Scientific for the procurement of a KingFisher Apex purification system, essential for the Genetics & Evolution Program at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle, Washington. This automated, magnetic bead-based system is critical for high-throughput genomic research, enabling efficient purification of DNA and RNA while minimizing contamination risks and manual processing strain. The KingFisher Apex must meet specific technical requirements, including compatibility with existing protocols, the capacity to process up to 96 samples, and integrated heating/cooling features, along with a warranty and service contract. Interested vendors who believe they can meet these requirements may submit supporting documentation to Sandra Caswell at sandra.caswell@noaa.gov by the specified deadline, with the subject line including "143041-25-0009."

    Point(s) of Contact
    CASWELL, SANDRA
    (253) 234-7603
    SANDRA.CASWELL@NOAA.GOV
    GRAY, JACOB M.
    JACOB.GRAY@NOAA.GOV
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    NWFSC_KingFisher__SON.docx
    The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) seeks to procure a KingFisher Apex purification system to enhance the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC). This automated, magnetic bead-based system is essential for high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) genomics, enabling efficient purification of DNA and RNA while reducing contamination and the risk of repetitive strain injuries from manual processing. The request details various technical requirements, including customizability for different extraction protocols, the capacity to process up to 96 samples, and integrated heating/cooling capabilities. The instrument must feature a sturdy one-year warranty and an optional service agreement for ongoing maintenance and technical support. Delivery is to be made to NWFSC in Seattle, WA. This procurement aligns with the goals of the NOAA to support marine conservation research through advanced genomic techniques and enhances the laboratory's capabilities to meet both ongoing and project-specific needs, including those funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
    SSJ.143041-25-0009-1_Redacted.pdf
    The document outlines a Single Source Determination for acquiring a KingFisher Apex nucleic acid isolation and purification instrument from ThermoFisher Scientific (also known as Life Technologies Corp). This acquisition is essential for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) to support its Molecular Genetics Laboratory's increasing demand for precise environmental DNA (eDNA) processing. The instrument, which is exclusive to ThermoFisher, includes automated magnetic bead purification capabilities and must align with existing validated protocols used in the lab. The justification for choosing ThermoFisher as the sole supplier rests on the uniqueness of the KingFisher Apex' specifications and the necessity for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and certified service technicians that only they can provide. Extensive market research revealed that no other available instruments could meet NWFSC's specific technical requirements. The document concludes with certification from the Molecular Genetics Team Lead and a contracting officer, affirming the necessity of this procurement. Overall, this highlights the complexities involved in specialized scientific instrumentation procurement within government frameworks.
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