6640--High Throughput RNA Extractor (COVID Research)

The VISN 10 Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio intends to negotiate a sole source contract with QIAGEN, LLC. the manufacturer. This is for the acquisition of the QIAcube HT, PrioPLUS and accessories required by the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1702. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 334516. The Government believes that QIAGEN, LLC. Is the only contractor that can satisfy the current requirement of the agency. Therefore, the Government intends to proceed with a sole source for the required equipment. This procurement is for of; QIAcube HT, PrioPLUS 1 EA QIAamp 96 Viral RNA Kit (10) 2 EA QIAcube HT Plasticware 7 EA The items are expected to be delivered within 30 days ARO / ASAP. utilizing FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements,

where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S. Code § 8127(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute). To the best of our knowledge, QIAGEN, LLC. is the only source that can provide the required equipment. This effort is required to support a national VA grant titled VA Seq COVID-19 variant sequencing project for sequencing of COVID samples from national VA COVID biorepositories. We anticipate substantial work in this area which requires equipment that provides high throughput workflow and efficient RNA extraction from COVID samples. The extraction method must yield high quality and highly concentrated RNA sufficient for sequencing downstream. The goal of the project is to allow the VA to monitor COVID trends nationally and emergence of variants / outbreaks. The QIACube HT by Qiagen is required based on its ability to provide high throughput workflow (96 samples at a time) and high-quality end product (RNA) that is necessary for sequencing. This system is unique in that it uses high throughput filter-based extraction which in comparison to bead beating methods, provide superior results for the end product and for COVID sequencing. Bead beating for the extraction method which has been found to damage DNA/RNA and result in less than desirable sequencing data. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available; however, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within five (5) business days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. Information can be sent to the Contracting Officer via email at christopher.callihan@va.gov. Responses received will be evaluated however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, on or before COB September 13, 2021, the VA will proceed with the sole source award to Qiagen, LLC. for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. THIS SYNOPSIS DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT FOR ANY SUPPLY OR SERVICE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS.