66--DNA FRAGMENT ANALYZER

The U.S. EPA, ORD, National Risk Management Research Lab., Water Supply Water Resources Div., Cincinnati, OH, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with M.J. Research, Inc. under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This requirement is for the procurement of an MJ Base station genetic analyzer. The instrument shall be equipped with lasers for fluorochrome excitation and with detectors capable of capturing at least four emissions wavelengths per sample. The Fragment Analysis system shall be controlled by an Intel Pentium III-based-terminator cycle sequencing and automated fragment analysis. Fragment analysis for 50 samples shall be performed in 2 hours or less. In addition, this instrument shall be able to generate sequencing data for a minimum of 1000 nucleotide bases, with a DNA sequence error rate of less than 1.5% over 800 bases. The system shall be covered with a two-year warranty and software packages for both DNA sequence and fragment length analyses. One of the key features of the MJ Base Station analyzer is the fragment analysis software which is the best currently available in the market. Ongoing research has been performed using the MJ Base Station genetic analyzer. Researchers have acquired in-house expertise for using the system, protocols have been developed and a significant amount of data has been collected. The acquisition of the MJ Base Station will allow comparison of data obtained from previous experiments with data obtained from future studies. The EPA has determined that the purchase of another, different genetic analysis instrument would seriously hinder on-going projects and affect the Agency's ability to respond to the anticipated need for in-house fragment analysis in support of developing bacterial source-taking protocols. This notice is not a request for quotations. However, any firm believing itself capable of meeting EPA requirements may submit requisite technical documentation to establish the potential of meeting the specifications. Such documentation must be submitted to the POC within 15 days of electronic posting of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement 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 a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. This acquisition is being processed under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.