The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Acquisition (OA) on behalf of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Roche Diagnostics, 9115 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256-1025 to procure Titanium Sequencing Kits.

1. GS FLX Titanium Sequencing Kit, XLR70--200 Cycles, Catalog Number:    05233526001;
2. GS Titanium PTP Kit 70X75, Catalog Number: 05233682001; and
3. GS Titanium LV emPCR Kit-Lib-L, Catalog Number: 05618428001.

The sole source determination is based on the fact that National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency conducting and supporting medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives. The NIH Intramural Sequencing Center (NISC) is a centralized research facility for performing high-throughput, large-scale DNA sequencing and sequence analysis. NISC, in conjunction with the lab of Dr. Julie Segre are using the Genome Sequencer FLX Instrument to explore the human skin biome by sequencing microbes isolated from skin samples in order to establish a database of microbes inhabiting the human body. This FLX sequencer is a high-throughput system that can generate more than 1,000,000 individual reads with improved Q20 read length of 400 bases per 10-hour instrument run. It is vital that we perform the sequencing as economically as possible in order to stretch our grant dollars as far as possible. The Genome Sequencer FLX plays a key role in our ability to achieve our goals. Roche is the sole manufacturer of this machine. The parts are unique to these instruments and cannot be substituted by other vendor parts. The engineers from Roche have the in-depth knowledge and training to repair this complex machine. NISC is in need of purchasing reagents for use in Roche's Genome Sequencer FLX (454) instrument. Due to increase in sequencing demand, the needs for reagents have increased which requires a long-term method of purchase. Roche is the sole manufacturer of these reagents. The kits are in a pre-configured format to fit directly into the Genome Sequencer FLX (454) instrument. Compatibility is essential and no other source substitute is acceptable.

• Reagents must be capable for use in Roche's Genome Sequencer FLX (454) Instrument to generate read length greater that 400 bp.
• Reagents must be pre-configured into appropriate aliquots and be able to fit into the Genome Sequencer FLX chamber.
• Number of reads should be greater than or equal to 1 million reads

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this requirement is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and the Small Business Size Standard is 500 Employees. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6 B Competitive Requirements are not applicable (FAR Part 6.001) and the resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-60 (July 26, 2012). This requirement is under the SAT of $150,000.00.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis, August 29, 2012, 7:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct future competitive procurement.
Inquiries to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2012-275-DLM, may be submitted to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisition, COAC Services Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6149, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Dorothy Maxwell. Response may be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Faxes will not be accepted. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative.

Note: In order to receive an award from NIH/NHLBI, contractors must be registered and have a valid CCR and ORCA on-line at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.