Notice of Intent (NOI) to Award Sole Source to Illumina, Inc. MiSeq Silver Support Maintenance Plan
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Seafood Inspection Laboratory (NSIL) intends to award a sole source contract to Illumina Inc. for the MiSeq Silver Support Plan. This contract is for annual preventative maintenance and emergency repair service for the existing Illumina MiSeq gene sequencer.
The MiSeq gene sequencer is highly specialized scientific equipment used for genetic sequencing. It is essential for the National Marine Fisheries Service's requirement for base year and four option years of preventative maintenance and emergency repair service. Illumina Inc. is uniquely qualified to meet this requirement as they are the only company that offers maintenance for the MiSeq platform. They possess proprietary technology and validated parts necessary for replacement or repair on the current machine, ensuring the MiSeq Whole Genome Sequencer maintains its instrument qualifications.
The service to be provided by Illumina Inc. includes full coverage for parts, labor, and travel, reagent replacement upon hardware failure, remote technical support, two business day on-site response, control software and hardware updates, onsite applications support, and one preventative maintenance visit.
The Government intends to negotiate a firm fixed-price contract with Illumina Inc. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing within 15 days after publication of this synopsis.
It is the Government's belief that only Illumina Inc. has the sole capability of providing the required services for the MiSeq gene sequencer.