SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- Starlet System
- Notice Date
- 7/16/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 4211 - MSC 9559, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SBSS-2014-426
- Archive Date
- 8/6/2014
- Point of Contact
- Rodney E. Brooks, Phone: 3014020751
- E-Mail Address
-
rodney.brooks@nih.gov
(rodney.brooks@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE TEMPLATE 1. Solicitation Number:HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SBSS-2014-426 2. Title: Starlet System 2. Classification Code: 66 3. NAICS Code: 334516 4. Description: Starlet Allquoting workstation This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background: The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. The Intramural Research Program (IRP) of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) provides a stimulating setting for a comprehensive effort to understand aging through multidisciplinary investigator-initiated research, in this regard. Purpose and Objectives: Hamilton Robotics: The Hamilton STARlet Workstation is the only commercially available instrument that provides a customized sample handling processor specifically designed for assays and sample storage needs for ongoing studies of the Clinical Research Unit (CR) and Clinical Core Lab under the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI). The Core Lab routinely performs thousands of aliquots during sample processing for long-term storage. The capabilities of this product will allow the Core Lab to work more efficiently to provide high quality standard sample processing required for downstream qualitative and quantitative assays. MICROLAB STARlet Liquid Handling Workstation from Hamilton Robotics Description The STAR line workstations are based on superior air displacement pipetting technology. This increases accuracy and repeatability while providing chain of custody with pipette condition monitoring and recording. Each workstation can be configured with multiple arms and each arm can be configured with multiple pipetting and labware gripping devices. Pipetting channels and labware grippers move independently of each other, supporting the use of a wide range of labware. The autoload option provides barcode tracking of samples, labware, racks and carriers. All workstation functions and integrated third-party devices are controlled by the Venus software. Venus One is the newest software package for the STAR Line. It offers the most intuitive, flexible and powerful programming control. Venus offers all the tools to allow simple to complex programming, without limiting your imagination or compromising your requirements. Data can be tracked and processed within the application as well as interfaces to internal and external databases, including LIMS. The STAR can serve as a simple pipettor for serial dilutions or act as the center of a large system with multiple workstations and third party devices such incubators, cell counters, centrifuges, etc. The compact STARlet can be converted on-site to a STARplus by means of an extension module, more than doubling your deck capacity. Thanks to the scalability of the STAR line instruments, the widest possible range of throughputs and budgets can be accommodated: additional pipetting channels, a 96 or 384-probe head or an integrated robotic arm can be fitted to existing configurations. It is even possible to add a second pipetting arm working in parallel. The Industry Standard for Laboratory Automation • Up to 16 independent pipetting channels • Optional multiprobe head (96, 384 or Nano) • Air displacement pipetting technology • Easy maintenance and serviceability • CO-RE precision tip attachment • Tip ejection without aerosol production • Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) with independently spreadable pipetting channels • Monitored Air Displacement (MAD) • Total Aspiration and Dispense • Monitoring (TADM) • Dual liquid level detection (pLLD/cLLD) • Easy to use VENUS software • Complete sample traceability • Positional accuracy for 1536-well plates Designed Flexibility • Modular pipetting heads, deck layouts and accessories • Compatible with sample tubes, microplates, and custom labware • Barcode identification for samples, microplates, reagents and carriers • Data output in multiple formats for LIMS integration • Wide integration possibilities for readers, washers, incubators etc. • Microplate storage/stacking on deck • The STAR line uses air-displacement technology, which is analogous to a hand held electronic pipette. The benefits of this technology include the following: o In combination with disposable tips, the risk of contamination of critical assays is reduced to an absolute minimum. o High accuracy and precision from sub-microlitre volumes to 1 ml can be reached with the same pipetting channels. o No system liquid, diluters, valves or complicated tubing is required. o No dilution effects of samples with system fluid. Flexible System Configuration Platforms Platform  STARlet Deck Size  1.0 m Plate Columns  5 Plate Positions  25 Pipetting range  0.5 to 5000 uL Air Displacement Pipetting The STARlet uses air-displacement technology, which is analogous to a hand held electronic pipette. The benefits of this technology include the following: • In combination with disposable tips, the risk of contamination of critical assays is reduced to an absolute minimum. • High accuracy and precision from sub-microlitre volumes to 1 ml can be reached with the same pipetting channels. • No system liquid, diluters, valves or complicated tubing is required. • No dilution effects of samples with system fluid. Regulatory Compliance The STARlet offers all the tools fully compliant GMP operation, including 21 CFR Part 11 compliance tools. The STARlet was specifically designed for regulated laboratories, ensuring productive and safe operation. The size restrictions of the STARLET are listed below: The system is designed to fit on a standard lab bench. It is about 30"deep but the feet spacing is about 25" front to back. For 2013 alone, the Core Lab processed 15,413 samples where they have to make the following aliquots per sample type per participant: o 24hr urine 24 aliquots o Fasting urine 32 aliquots o Serum 35 aliquots o Plasma (EDTA) 17 aliquots o Plasma (Na Hep) 35 aliquots As you can see this is not a small undertaking. The purchase of the Hamilton Automating Pipetting System and along with their barcode scanners and decapper would take away a lot of the manual pipetting plus inventory work and decrease the chance of clerical and technical errors, which would make the overall process more efficient. The system will be connected to your Inventory Database System, Harborprod so the samples could be inventoried directly into our inventory database connecting the Core Lab to the Biorepository which has a total of 1,380,000+ samples. The Hamilton STARLET does have the capability to be compatible with other equipment. This was one of the reasons for my decision. The STARLET has many functions which will allow it to interchange processing arms to accommodate various platforms for genomics, proteomics, cellomics, metabolomics, and immuno-assays. The nanoString nCounter system represents the state-of-the art technology for multiplexed pathway-based translational research or validation of gene targets identified by next generation sequencing technology. Input samples ranges from single cells, tissue extracts, whole blood lysates, total RNA, cell lysates, archival (paraffin)-embedded tissues, and rare-event cells isolated from laser micro-dissection. There are pre-built panels covering the range of genes involved in inflammation, cancer, immunology from mouse and human samples. Currently, there are 2 systems at NIH (NCI main campus) and one at Johns Hopkins SOM. This new technology employs propriety 6 reporter molecules linked in a linear manner to gene target, allowing 6 (Factorial) or 720 possible target genes to be simultaneously detected and can provide the following information: • Multiplexed protein analysis at the single cell level • Gene expression analysis, up to 800 RNA transcripts with internal controls for quantitation and reproducibility with higher sensitivity than conventional qPCR • Single cell gene expression analysis, with lower variability that what is seen with analog methods • IncRNA expression analysis • miRNA expression and miRGE expression analysis • Copy number variation analysis • ChiP-string expression analysis • User-customizable gene panels or add probes to code sets • Automated with rapid turnaround of gene analysis • LMG specific applications o RecQ5 expression and analysis done under different experimental conditions o Knockdown of RecQ expression and follow effect on repair pathway over time and/or conditions are placed under stress. o Evaluate any incestuous relationships between RecQ5 and other DNA repair pathways. Anticipated period of performance: 30 days after award Capability statement /information sought. Interested organizations must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the items specified in this notice. Interested organizations that believe they possess the ability to provide the required items must submit specific documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contract Specialist. Interested organizations must provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. Interested organizations are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The Government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All capability statements sent in response to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to Rodney Brooks, Contract Specialist, at rodney.brooks@nih.gov in MS Word format by or before the closing date of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be received on or before July 22, 2014 12 pm, eastern time. "Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)." Contracting Office Address: 31 Center Drive Room 1B59 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Primary Point of Contact.: Rodney Brooks Rodney.brooks@nih.gov
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