SAM #1173528

Sole Source Procurement of Formulatrix MANTIS V4 Liquid Dispenser and Accessories for USDA FSIS/ARS

This notice announces a sole source procurement by USDA FSIS/ARS for specialized laboratory dispensing equipment from Formulatrix, LLC. - Agency: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), on behalf of Agriculture Research Service (ARS) - Sole source vendor: Formulatrix, LLC (Bedford, MA) - Equipment required: MANTIS V4 Liquid Dispenser with Integrated RFID, software license, and Continuous Flow Control Option - Accessories: Multiple chip packs (silicone, high-fidelity, continuous flow), tube racks, nozzle kits - Training: Remote user training (up to half day) - Purpose: Precise, low-volume liquid dispensing for molecular biology workflows - Justification: Formulatrix is the only source capable of meeting the unique requirements (disposable microfluidic cassettes, low dead volume, broad dispensing range) - No competitive proposals requested; informational notice only - Estimated contract value: Likely in the $30,000–$60,000 range based on similar equipment and accessories

Product Line Items: - MANTIS V4 Liquid Dispenser (1 unit, Part #815097C) - Mantis Chip-Silicone, Continuous Flow Control (CF), RFID, PI (1 pack, Part #233866) - Mantis (CF) Cap-Falcon 50mL Conical Tube, Silicone Harness (1 pack, Part #233865) - Mantis Chip-High-Fidelity Series, Silicone, LV (0.1uL & 0.5uL), RFID (1 pack, Part #809239A) - Mantis Chip-High Fidelity Series, Silicone, HV (1uL & 5uL), RFID (1 pack, Part #806984A) - Mantis Micro Tube Rack for 1.5-2.5mL microcentrifuge tubes (1 unit, Part #233103) - Mantis Nozzle Kit-Silicone (includes 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6mm ID, 2 each) (1 kit, Part #233036) - Mantis Remote User Training (up to half day) (1 session, Part #360787)

Period of Performance: - Not specified; likely immediate delivery upon award

OEM: - Formulatrix, LLC

Potential Competitors: - PerkinElmer, Tecan, Beckman Coulter, Eppendorf (for similar liquid handling systems)

Competing Products: - Tecan Fluent, Beckman Coulter Biomek, PerkinElmer JANUS, Eppendorf epMotion

Commercial Opportunity: - Sole source procurement; no competitive bidding at this time.

Description

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on behalf of the USDA Agriculture Research Service intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to Formulatrix (5 DeAngelo Drive, Bedford, MA  01730) for the procurement of one (1) Part #815097C MANTIS V4 with Integrated RFID, 6 chip capacity and Mantis Controlling Software Instrument License with #MCF Mantis Continuous Flow Control Option; one (1) Part #233866 Mantis Chip-Silicone, Continuous Flow Control (CF), RFID, PI, Pack of 2; one (1) Part #233865 Mantis (CF) Cap-Falcon 50mL Conical Tube, Silicone Harness, Pack of 2; one (1) Part #809239A Mantis Chip-High-Fidelity Series, Silicone, LV (0.1uL & 0.5uL), RFID, Pack of 6; one (1) Part #806984A Mantis Chip-High Fidelity Series, Silicone, HV (1uL & 5uL), RFID, Pack of 6; one (1) Part #233103 Mantis Micro Tube Rack for 1.5-2.5mL microcentrifuge tubes; one (1) Part #233036 Mantis Nozzle Kit-Silicone (includes 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6mm ID, 2 each); and (1) Part #360787 Mantis Remote User Training (up to half day) and any shipping charges, as applicable.

Statutory Authority

This purchase is being conducted under the authority of FAR 12.  The FSIS has determined that Formulatrix, LLC., is the only source reasonably available to satisfy this requirement because the Mantis is uniquely capable of meeting the specific requirements for precise, low‑volume liquid dispensing in molecular biology workflows. Its combination of disposable microfluidic cassettes, exceptionally low dead volume, and broad dispensing range cannot be replicated by any other commercially available instrument.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.  It’s a synopsis for informational purposes only. However, any responsible source that believes it can meet this requirement may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency.

Responses must include: 1. Company Name and CAGE Code.

2. Technical description of how the proposed alternative meets all requirements listed above.

Responses will be used to determine if a competitive procurement is necessary, at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

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