Opportunity
SAM #26-471
NOAA Sole Source Procurement: Opentrons Flex Liquid Handler Robot and 3-Year Service
Buyer
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Posted
August 24, 2026
Respond By
September 08, 2026
Identifier
26-471
NAICS
334516, 423490
NOAA is seeking to automate eDNA metabarcoding workflows at the National Systematics Laboratory, Smithsonian Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. - Sole source procurement to Opentrons for: - Opentrons Flex Liquid Handler Robot - Three years of associated service/support - Opentrons is the only manufacturer meeting NOAA's requirements: - Open-source Python API for custom genomics protocols - Modular, toolless equipment swappability - Intuitive interface designed for biologists - Firms capable of meeting these requirements may submit documentation for consideration - Period of performance is three years from award date - Opportunity is for both equipment and ongoing service - Intended to support advanced genomics research and automation
Description
***THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION’S (NOAA) ACQUISITION & GRANTS OFFICE, WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION-BOULDER, (AGENCY), INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER, ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS, UNDER AUTHORITY OF FAR 6.103-1, WITH OPENTRONS FOR AN OPENTRONS FLEX LIQUID HANDLER ROBOT AND 3 YEARS OF SERVICE TO AUTOMATE EDNA METABARCODING WORKFLOWS TO BE DELIVERED/PERFORMED AT THE NATIONAL SYSTEMATICS LABORATORY, SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM SUPPORT CENTER, 4210 SILVER HILL ROAD, SUITLAND, MARYLAND 20746.
***THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION IS BASED ON NOAA’S REQUIREMENT THAT OPENTRONS IS THE ONLY VENDOR THAT MANUFACTURES AND DISTRIBUTES THIS OPENTRONS FLEX LIQUID HANDLER ROBOT. OPENTRONS IS THE ONLY VENDOR THAT SATISFIES THE LAB’S CRITICAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, SPECIFICALLY THE NEED FOR AN OPEN-SOURCE PYTHON API FRAMEWORK FOR SHARING CUSTOM GENOMICS PROTOCOLS, END-USER MODULARITY THAT ALLOWS FOR TOOLLESS EQUIPMENT SWAPPABILITY, AND AN INTUITIVE INTERFACE DESIGNED FOR BIOLOGISTS RATHER THAN ROBOTICS ENGINEERS.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: DATE OF AWARD TO 3 YEARS FROM DATE OF AWARD.
***THIS PRESOLICITATION NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENTS MAY SUBMIT SUBSTANTIATING DOCUMENTATION OR A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE. SUCH REQUESTS AND DOCUMENTATION WILL BE EVALUATED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO CONDUCT THIS PROCUREMENT ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS. A DETERMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO CONDUCT A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT, BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE, IS SOLELY WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.