Procurement of commercial biotechnology research supplies

PRESOLICITATION NOTICE

Subject: Procurement of commercial biotechnology research supplies

Classification code:

Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

NAICS: 423450 – Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Contracting Office: NAVSUP Fleet Logistic Center Sigonella Naples, Italy 

Points of Contact: 

Ms. Maria Saggese

E-mail: maria.saggese.ln@us.navy.mil

Phone: +390815683938 

1. INTRODUCTION

The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) – provides notification of its intent to award a firm-fixed-price sole-source purchase order to Change Biotec Limited.

The contract is in support to the implementation of a newly developed assay that is currently being standardized and deployed across the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and other Navy Research Laboratories.

2. REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION

The requirement is for the procurement of commercial biotechnology research supplies in support of the Naval Medical Research Unit Europe, Africa, Central (NAMRU EURAFCENT). The specific requirement consists of three (3) proprietary Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing kits:

One (1) MinION Mk1D pack with Rapid Sequencing Kit V14 (SQK-RAD114)

One (1) MinION Mk1D pack with Rapid Barcoding Kit 24 V14 (SQK-RBK114.24)

One (1) MinION Mk1D pack with Direct RNA Sequencing Kit (SQK-RNA004)

3. SOLE SOURCE RATIONALE

The ONT MinION Mk1D is a patented, highly specialized, proprietary commercial technology. The utilization of this exact commercial platform is required to ensure full mission capability, interoperability, and data standardization with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and partner Navy research laboratories. Market research confirms that Change Biotec Limited is the sole authorized local representative and commercial pipeline for ONT equipment in the required region of performance (Africa). Sourcing through the sole authorized representative is necessary to maintain manufacturer warranty validity and ensure the integrity of critical cold-chain shipping logistics.

4. INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERESTED PARTIES

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of Part 12 of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). This is a notice of intent and does not constitute a request for competitive proposals.

However, all responsible sources that believe they can meet the Government's requirement may submit a capability statement. To be considered responsive, any submitted capability statement must include clear and convincing evidence of the following:

• Written evidence from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), that the responding company is an authorized distributor for the required items within the African region.
• Confirmation that the responding company can provide the exact part numbers as listed in Section 2 above, with no substitutions.
• A description of the company's capability to manage and guarantee cold-chain shipping logistics to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
• Confirmation that the standard 1-year manufacturer's warranty and support will be valid and honored for equipment delivered to Djibouti.

All responses must be received by 05 August 2026 12:00 AM Central European Time (CET) to be considered. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. To be considered responsive, any submitted capability statement must provide clear and convincing evidence of the interested party's ability to meet the Government's requirements as defined herein. The Government will not compensate interested parties for any costs related to the preparation or submission of a capability statement.

Please submit any responses or capability statements via email to Maria Saggese at maria.saggese.ln@us.navy.mil.