THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.
The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) in coordination with the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System DNA Operations requests a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract with Life Technologies Corporation. AFMES requires the purchase, delivery, installation, and extended warranty of one (1) Life Technologies Applied Biosystems SeqStudio 24 Flex Genetic Analyzer system. This system includes the main instrument, associated software, installation, and training. The acquisition includes the main instrument, all associated software and accessories, delivery, installation, training, and extended warranty services.
Technical Specifications
The delivered system must meet the following minimum essential characteristics:
- System Type: A 24-capillary electrophoresis system with 8-dye capable chemistry for advanced multiplexing.
- Laser: A solid-state, long-life 505 nm laser providing signal uniformity.
- Thermal System: An advanced thermal system to ensure precise temperature control for demanding DNA fragment analysis.
- User Interface: An integrated touchscreen computer with on-board data collection software for instrument control, run setup, and real-time data quality assessment.
- Software: The system must include and be compatible with:
- Windows 11 compliant Data Collection Software.
- GeneMapper ID-X Software v1.7 or higher for the analysis of human identification data.
- Features to support security, audit trails, and electronic signatures (SAE) to meet ISO 17025 and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
- Compatibility:
- Must provide data consistency with results from legacy Applied Biosystems 3130xl and 3500xl systems.
- Must be validated for use with Similiar forensic STR kits (e.g., GlobalFiler™, Yfiler™ Plus, MiniFiler™) and BigDye™ Terminator v1.1 Cycle Sequencing chemistry.
- Standards Compliance: The system must meet all ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to AR3125, ISO-17025 and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Quality Assurance Standards (QAS). The instrument must be developmentally validated by the manufacturer.
- Consumable Tracking: System must utilize Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to track key consumables, lot numbers, and usage data.
- Application Flexibility: Must allow for both fragment analysis and Sanger sequencing runs on the same instrument and plates.
- Extended warranty and service contract.
Shipping, Delivery, and Installation
- Shipping: The awardee shall handle all shipping, handling, and insurance for the ground shipment of the SeqStudio 24 Flex system and all accessories to AFMES. Freight terms are FOB Destination.
- Delivery Crew: The awardee will provide an appropriately staffed delivery crew to deliver the workstation to the designated room within the AFMES facility.
- Installation: The crew will unpack the instrument, place it on the identified workbench, and remove all debris associated with the movement and unpacking of the instrument.
- System Setup: A certified Field Service Engineer will install the SeqStudio 24 Flex Genetic Analyzer in accordance with the purchased installation services (P/N: A57822) and perform all necessary Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) procedures to ensure the system is functioning per manufacturer specifications.
Computer and Software
- The vendor will provide an integrated touchscreen computer.
- The vendor will install and configure the GeneMapper ID-X v1.7 software on a separate Windows 11 computer workstation.
Training
- The awardee shall provide on-site training for laboratory operators, delivered by a certified Field Application Specialist (FAS), as specified under P/N: A57823.
Warranty
- The awardee shall provide a one-year manufacturer's warranty covering all parts, labor, and travel, effective from the date of installation acceptance.
This Special Notice of is not a request for competitive quotes. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government.
All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be submitted by e-mail to roberto.a.gonzalez-echeverria.civ@health.mil
Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above email address no later than 9:00 AM EST, 7 August 2026.
