Sources Sought Notification 12405B25Q0104 This is a Sources Sought Announcement issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for informational and planning purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation, nor is it an announcement for a forthcoming solicitation. Submission of any information in response to this notification is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in providing a response. The USDA has a requirement for an annual service contract for an SPT Labtech MHV Mosquito pipettor and an SPT Labtech Dragonfly discovery 6-head dispenser in accordance with the attached SOW. The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Equipment Manufacturing. Responses to this notification will help to determine the acquisition strategy for any future solicitation. Submission Instructions: Interested vendors are invited to submit a response to this sources sought notification by 1 p.m. CT, on Friday, 04/11/2025, to the attention of Richard Hawthorne, Contract Specialist, richard.hawthorne@usda.gov. All questions are asked to be submitted in writing to the Primary Point of Contact and will be addressed accordingly. Responses should be no more than 10 pages and include the following information:
1.Organization Name;
2.Contact Name, e-mail address and phone number;
3.Organizations SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI) number;
4.Business size status for the applicable NAICS code;
5.A statement of interest in any forthcoming acquisition.
6.A statement of capability to perform details of the requirement, to include:
1.Certified service technicians able to service instruments without voidingmanufacturer’s warranties.
2.List of recent Government contracts for the same, or very similar, services.
Interested vendors are instructed to provide only the data requested. No proprietary classified confidential or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any additional information will not be reviewed by the USDA.
Statement of Work
The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science
Research Unit, Raleigh, North Carolina requires an annual service contract for an SPT Labtech MHV mosquito pipettor and an SPT Labtech dragonfly discovery 6-head dispenser. These instruments are used for preparing next generation sequencing libraries in conjunction with the Plant Science Research Unit’s investigation into the complex genetic traits of plants.
Requirements:
The service contract should include:
1. An annual preventative maintenance visit for MHV mosquito including:
• visual inspection of the instrument to check for any damage or obvious signs of wear
• full calibration and alignment check, re-calibration and alignment if necessary to maintain reproducibility
• sensors test: ensure all are in perfect working order
• check tape indexing is smooth, and tip feed is consistent
• apply lubrication and perform thorough check of mechanical set-up
• comprehensive check and backup of instrument settings
• verification of drop placement on users labware
• functionality test of safely interlocks
• instrument tuned back to factory set up standards
• software updates if required
2. An annual preventative maintenance visit for dragonfly discovery including:
• carry out visual inspection of Equipment
• full calibration and alignment check, re-calibration and alignment if necessary
• check all sensors
• check syringe interlock circuitry
• lubrication and mechanical
• check solenoid firing performance
• check software is of current release
• check and backup instrument settings.
3. Unlimited remote access support;
4. Unlimited email support;
5. Minimum 15% discount off list price for replacement parts;
6. Minimum 15% discounted call out and labor charges for service visits;
7. Service visit response times of 3 days or less.
