Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to award a Firm Fixed-Price, sole source contract to Oxford Nanopore Technologies, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The USDA, ARS, has a requirement for Oxford Nanopore GridION X5 Benchtop DNA/RNA Sequencer to provide single molecule sequencing based on electric signaling. General Description: The requirement is for flow cells and reagents for the GridION X5 Benchtop DNA/RNA Sequencer to provide single molecule sequencing based on electric signaling. The GridION instrument permits 5 concurrent sequencing runs in 5 individually addressable flow cells. This technology also permits on-board conversion of electronic signals to DNA sequences. This technology provides flexibility in number of samples and length and amount of DNA sequence collected, so that individual flow cells can be stored and reused. This technology is capable of producing very long DNA sequences (>100,000 bases) and has the flexibility of providing DNA sequence with a flexible time of throughput depending on the operator’s needs. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. No telephonic inquires will be honored. The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any expenses related to responding to the Notice of Intent. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy.