FILE | A | Freedon EVO-150 Scalable, automated liquid handling robot for use in high throughput normalization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples JOFOC and award notice - Justification and Approval (J&A)

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 09, 2011 FBO #3333
DOCUMENT

A -- Freedon EVO-150 Scalable, automated liquid handling robot for use in high throughput normalization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples JOFOC and award notice - Justification and Approval (J&A)

Notice Date: 1/7/2011
Notice Type: Justification and Approval (J&A)
NAICS: 423450 — Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Contracting Office: Department of Veterans Affairs;VAMC Providence;830 Chalkstone Avenue;Providence RI 02908
ZIP Code: 02908
Solicitation Number: VA24111RQ0185
Response Due: 12/20/2010
Archive Date: 2/28/2011
Point of Contact: John Young
E-Mail Address: ct
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Award Number: VA523-D10078
Award Date: 12/30/2010
Description: JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1.REQUIRING ACTIVITY: VAMC BHS Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA (MAVERIC/Research 151) 150 South Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02130 2.CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: 241/ VISN 1 Contracting 90C- VAMC Providence, RI 3.PROPOSED ACTION: Sole-source contract to Tecan U.S., P.O. Box 13953 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 4.DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT: Acquisition of an automated liquid handling robot intended for high throughput normalization of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) samples. 5.STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: Reference 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 6.PROPOSED CONTRACTORS UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS: Research and Development is integral to the activities of the VA, as medical research is one of its three fundamental missions. VA Boston Healthcare has one of the largest and most active research programs in the VA nationwide. The Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC) Core Laboratory processes and stores specimens for clinical trials run by the VA Cooperative Studies Program. The laboratory is getting ready for a large scale genomics project that will require processing of 500 samples a day in addition to existing and ongoing processing for other Cooperative Studies Program projects. This normalization unit is necessary to guarantee analysis laboratories and study stake-holders acceptable DNA concentrations and to facilitate the processing of such a large volume of samples. Tecan is an industry and global leader in laboratory instrumentation and solutions for a wide range of users, most notably diagnostic and clinical laboratories. Tecan is well known for specializing in the development, production, and distribution of systems and automated solutions for laboratories in this sector. Government laboratories are one of the three main markets Tecan serves. What makes Tecan unique in this specific case is the scalability and adaptability of their liquid handling normalization application. The EVO system is designed such that additional equipment modules, components, instruments, etc. can be easily added on and integrated after the machine has been purchased. Examples of add-ons include quantification/concentration instrumentation and additional robotic arms. This unique qualification is ideal given the upcoming genomic medicine study for MAVERIC Core Lab, as the Lab will ultimately need to scale up operations and functionality. 7.DESCRIBE THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO CONDUCT ANY MARKET RESEARCH TO LOCATE SOURCES: At least three companies were identified as potential vendors for this case; Tecan, XXXXX, and YYYYY. All three companies were contacted for quotes for an automated liquid handling normalization system as noted above. Quotes detailing system design and communications with company representatives served as the basis for evaluating technical and operational capabilities. Tecan was identified as the best value potential vendor and system because of the scalability and adaptability dimension as noted above. 8.DETERMINATION OF PRICE REASONABLENESS: The Contracting Officer's determination will be based upon the commercial price and a comparison with other systems. 9.ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SUPPORT OF SUBMISSION: In addition to Tecan's unique qualifying characteristics listed above and the large scale nature of the projects MAVERIC Core Lab is facing, it is important to note specifically why the other units were not identified as ideal or preferred systems. Both alternate units did not possess the scalability or adaptability that Tecan offers with the EVO system. The XXXXX system has some of the similar capabilities as the Tecan system, although the scalability factor is not of the same standard. For example, the Tecan system can integrate a centrifuge into the deck after the machine has been purchased and put into use. The XXXXX system does not allow for this integration after it has been put into production; the centrifuge has to be integrated during the machines original development. Additionally, the MAVERIC Core Lab has already purchased liquid handling applications from XXXXX for DNA extraction and there is some genuine concern behind these systems. Since being purchased these applications have not reached acceptable quality production levels and we are hesitant to acquire additional systems that would require more troubleshooting than necessary. 10.LISTING OF ANY SOURCES (IF ANY) THAT HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THIS REQUIREMENT: None. 11.FUTURE ACTIONS TO OVERCOME BARRIER TO FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: The Principal Investigator and COTR continue to survey and monitor commercial and technical developments in this market. 12.This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my belief and knowledge. /signed/ _________________________________________ DONALD E. HUMPHRIES, PhD Scientific Director, MAVERIC Core Laboratory 12/14/2010 /signed/ ERIC ROCKEFELLER COTR, MAVERIC Core Laboratory 12/14/2010 Approved By: /signed/______________________________ Contracting Officer EMERSON JOSLIN _________________ 12/14/2010________ Date
Web Link: FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/PrVMAC650/PrVAMC650/VA24111RQ0185/listing.html)
Document(s): Justification and Approval (J&A); File Name: VA-241-11-RQ-0185 VA-241-11-RQ-0185_3.doc (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=170070&FileName=VA-241-11-RQ-0185-001.doc); Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=170070&FileName=VA-241-11-RQ-0185-001.doc; File Name: VA-241-11-RQ-0185 JOFOC - REDACTED - SOLESOURCE TECAN NORMALIZATION ROBOT 10-1-2010 REDACT.DOCX (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=170071&FileName=VA-241-11-RQ-0185-002.DOCX); Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=170071&FileName=VA-241-11-RQ-0185-002.DOCX; Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
Record: SN02356496-W 20110109/110107234301-a6b881ee1ba6ca1eac0a3f376552b96a (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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A -- Freedon EVO-150 Scalable, automated liquid handling robot for use in high throughput normalization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples JOFOC and award notice - Justification and Approval (J&A)