Notice Of Intent - SpectraMax iD5e

Special Notice – Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Procurement

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Network Contracting Office 17, intends to award a firm-fixed priced contract to Molecular Technologies, LLC for procurement of the following requirement:

PURPOSE: The VISN 17 Center of Excellence, located at 4800 Memorial Drive, building 93, MRI W93, Waco, TX 76711 has requested new laboratory instrumentation – SpectraMax iD5e. Vendor will provide a system that meets the outlined specifications below. Additionally, vendor will provide training for Techs and other designated personnel. 

Section A: Statement of Work

Background: The Center of Excellence laboratory requires the acquisition of the SpectraMax iD5e Multi‑Mode Microplate Reader to support current and future research initiatives. This instrument provides five essential detection modes—absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, time‑resolved fluorescence (TRF), and fluorescence polarization (FP)—within a single research‑grade analytical platform, enabling broad assay compatibility and advanced experimental flexibility.

The laboratory conducts multi‑modal biochemical, cellular, and molecular assays requiring high‑precision detection, environmental control, and reproducible data acquisition. The SpectraMax iD5e’s hybrid optical system, ultra‑cooled photomultiplier tube (PMT), and NFC‑enabled auto‑identified filters provide the sensitivity, accuracy, and reliability necessary to enhance assay performance and ensure continuity with existing microplate‑based workflows.

Required System Capabilities: The procured system must include the following capabilities derived from the manufacturer specifications:

Five‑mode detection: absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, TRF, and FP.

Hybrid optical system with high‑efficiency monochromators and NFC‑tagged auto‑identified filters.

Ultra‑cooled PMT for high‑sensitivity, low‑noise detection.

Temperature control from ambient to 66°C.

Compatibility with live‑cell and microbial growth assays through optional CO₂/O₂ gas mixer and advanced shaking.

Optional SmartInject™ dual‑injector system for kinetic assays with 10 µL dead volume.

SoftMax Pro software with integrated data acquisition, over 200 preconfigured protocols, and optional GxP compliance tools.

Research Justification: The SpectraMax iD5e directly supports high‑priority research assays including ELISA, cell viability, microbial growth, enzyme activity, DNA/RNA/protein quantitation, and Western blot detection through the optional ScanLater module. Its enhanced precision and workflow standardization will reduce variability in current assays while enabling future integration of advanced multi‑mode detection methods.

Data produced by the iD5e will strengthen the laboratory’s analytical rigor and improve the quality of multi‑modal biological and biochemical analyses, directly supporting ongoing research goals and expanding capacity for emerging methodologies.

Delivery Requirements: The contractor shall provide delivery within the standard lead time of 3–5 weeks after receipt of the purchase order. All shipments shall be FOB Shipping Point as specified in the quote.

Warranty and Support: The system must include the manufacturer’s 12‑month parts and labor warranty and a one‑year MD Care PhD‑level technical support plan, with additional academic warranty extensions available as quoted.

Acceptance Criteria: The Government will accept the equipment upon verification that all components, capabilities, and accessories match the specifications provided in the quotation and function as intended according to manufacturer documentation. The following items are required:

Stock Number / Item Description / Order Quantity

ID5E-AS / SpectraMax iD5e Multi-Mode Microplate Detection Platform with Advanced Shaking

ID5-ACADW-POS / Warranty Extension for Spectramax ID5 - 3 year

Additional Information: Only licensed Molecular Devices Technicians are authorized to install the instrumentation and provide training to CoE staff.

Performance Period: One-Time Purchase of laboratory instrumentation – ASAP

Contractor Security Contract Requirements: Contractor requires no access to VANTHCS or any VA information system.  No equipment will be interfered with any VANTHCS information systems.  If LIS integration is requested later, all necessary security contract requirements will be modified and granted as the government sees fit prior to information systems access.

NO VA DATA OF ANY TYPE SHALL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE VA.

Delivery address: Doris Miller VA Medical Center, 4800 Memorial Dr, Waco, TX 76711

Delivery Date: Within 30 days after receipt of order.

The proposed sole source procurement will be made by contract with Molecular Devices, LLC.

The requesting activity has submitted a sole source justification request that states that vendor is the only one that can provide the necessary required supplies and services.  Market research did not find an alternate approved vendor that can provide the required supplies and services.

This notice is not to be considered a request for quotations or proposals. No contract will be awarded based on offers received in response to this notice; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  Proposals or offers received will be used to determine if a comparable source is available and more advantageous to the government. No phone calls of any nature regarding this notice will be accepted. There will be no automated email notification of receipt of capability statement, proposal, or quotation. If no affirmative written response is received within 5 business days from the publication of this notice, a contract will be issued to Molecular Devices LLC, without any further notice.

The anticipated statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for the requirement is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.103-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.