SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- Ettan Spot Picker (Equipment for Research)
- Notice Date
- 12/8/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Veterans Affairs;VA Boston Healthcare System;Contracting Officer (90C);940 Belmont Street;Brockton MA 02301
- ZIP Code
- 02301
- Solicitation Number
- VA-241-09-RQ-0088
- Response Due
- 12/13/2008
- Archive Date
- 12/14/2008
- Point of Contact
- Tracey Bissonnette<br />
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, has a requirement to purchase an Ettan Spot Picker A fixed price requirements contract is anticipated and shall be awarded. It is the Government's belief that only GE Healthcare Life Sciences, possesses the required capabilities. It is the Government's intention to solicit and negotiate only with GE Healthcare Life Sciences. Concerns having the expertise and required capabilities to provide an Ettan Spot Picker are invited to submit complete and current information showing their capabilities within 5 calendar days from the day this notice is published. Concerns that respond to this notice must fully demonstrate the capability to meet the requirement and are to supply pertinent information to allow the VA to evaluate the proposal relative to the requirements. This is not a solicitation; this is a request for information only. All communication related to this purchase shall be via email to the contracting specialist listed. Inquires /information received after the established deadline shall not be considered. The submission of this data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Identification of the service/department and the transaction/requisition #: Purchasing a Spot Picker System from GE Healthcare BIO-SCIENCES CORP for a funded research. Transaction Number: 523-09-1-9173-0048 2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved: The GE Ettan Spot Picker is requested for an on-going project to identify biomarkers in PTSD patients. The parent project, entitled "The Structure of PTSD Comorbidity" is funded by the VA Merit Review program through a grant to Dr. Mark W. Miller an investigator with the Behavioral Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD. Dr. Jinghua Yang and Dr. Miller are applying proteomics approaches to analyze and compare the protein expression differences between veterans with and without PTSD. We are also exploring the proteomic substrate for differences in patterns of diagnostic comorbidity between validated subgroups termed "internalizers" and "externalizers". To date, we have pooled sera from 10 internalizing, 10 externalizing, 10 severe and 10 healthy veterans and analyzed protein profiles with 2-Dimensional gel electrophorysis (2-D DIGE) technology. The 2-D protein gels were scanned with Typhoon Imager equipped in Dr. Yang's lab and revealed significant differences between subgroups. Clarifying the precise nature and basis for these differences is the aim of our next phase of work. One limitation of the work performed to date is that the 2-D DIGE images must be analyzed by visual inspection and the different gel spots are picked up manually. The requested Spot Picker System is able to determine the differences of 2-D DIGE images, automatically generate a pickup list, and precisely pick up the selected gel spots for Mass Spectrometry studies. Therefore, the requested purchase will greatly facilitate the current project. Importantly, it will upgrade our technology platform on 2-D DIGE related proteomics studies. 3. Description of the supplies/services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value): The Ettan Spot Picker with DECYDER will be used to upgrade our current Typhoon 8600 Image Scanner for 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis. The requested instrument is compatible with the Typhoon 8600 Image Scanner, both of which are from GE Healthcare BIO-SCIENCES CORP (was AMERSHAM BIO-SCIENCES). The requested Spot Picker is a robotic system designed to accurately pick protein spots from 2-D gels, and transfer the picked proteins into microplate wells in preparation for further analyses, such as digestion and protein identification by MALDI mass spectrometry. Polyacrylamide 2-D gels stained with common detection stains, such as silver, Coomassie or fluorescent dyes are scanned, and data can be analyzed using DeCyder 2-D Differential Analysis Software. A protein picklist is generated, either automatically using predefined selection criteria, or manually. The protein picklist is transferred to Ettan Spot Picker, which then automatically picks the protein spots according to the list. Attaching self-adhesive reference markers to the gel backing prior to scanning the gel ensures a precise link between electronic image and actual gel. A wash step is performed after each picking session, and the location of each picked protein in its respective microplate well is automatically logged to facilitate sample tracking. The requested Spot Picker is extremely stable and has a high utility in areas where extensive proteomic analysis is being carried out. The entire process is completed rapidly, with minimal user intervention. The gel pieces that are obtained can be directly channeled to a mass spectrometer. The polyacrylamide pieces containing the protein of interest can be trypsinated in the same well and used for mass spectrometric analysis. Estimated price $ 52,866.48 (Quotation #: 2695668 DQ) 4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition: FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP. 800 CENTENNIAL AVE. PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-1327 1-800-526-3593 FAX: 732-909-2565 5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited: The Ettan Spot Picker with DECYDER is requested to upgrade our current Typhoon 8600 Image Scanner for 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis. Our current Typhoon 8600 Image Scanner was made by GE Healthcare BIO-SCIENCES CORP (was AMERSHAM BIO-SCIENCES). Thus, only the requested Ettan Spot Picker is compatible with our current system. 6. Describe the efforts that have been made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies: We have searched Internet to look for all sources for Spot Picker or Gel Picker. The Ettan Spot Picker with Decyder from GE Healthcare is the sole source. However, due to the estimated value a notice will be posted. 7.Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable: This determination will be made at time of award. 8. Description of the market survey that was conducted (i.e. names of firms and the date(s) the firms were contacted) and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted: We need to purchase the Ettan Spot Picker from the same vendor as our current Typhoon 8600 Image Scanner to ensure the compatibility both in software and hardware. To ensure the sole-source, we have searched Internet to look for all sources for Spot Picker or Gel Picker; however, we haven't found any other providers which make compatible spot pickers. 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as - an explanation as to why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statement of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for competition have not been developed or are not available. This contracting activity will continue to encourage full and open competition whenever possible. 10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in the acquisition: None to date 11. A statement of the actions, if any, that the department/service may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies/services is required in the future: Market research will be conducted to determine if other compatible products are available.
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