SAM #000000001

Sole-source intent for one DNA Script benchtop DNA synthesizer and related support for USAMRIID

DHACA, acting for USAMRIID, plans to award DNA Script Inc. a sole-source contract for a benchtop DNA synthesizer and related support. - Procurement approach: The notice is an intent to sole-source, not a request for quotations. Other firms may submit evidence that they can meet the requirement. - Equipment: One DNA Script benchtop DNA synthesizer system with a freestanding vacuum cabinet. - Required throughput: 96 oligos of 20 nucleotides in approximately six hours, and 120-nucleotide oligos in less than 24 hours. - Must support fluorophore, quencher, or biotin labeling in up to five colors, and automate synthesis, quantification, and normalization. - Must use water-based reagents without harsh organic solvents and operate without gas or special environmental controls. - Must meet the stated size limits and electrical requirements: 1800 W/2200 VA, 120 VAC, and a NEMA 5-20P connection. - Includes stand-alone, off-network console software with secure user authentication, traceable synthesis, quality-control, maintenance, reagent-use, and user records, plus data export to backup media. Software support is required for five years. - Services and support: Four years of preventive-maintenance support; method validation; on-site and off-site operator training; on-site startup support; and on-site preventive and corrective maintenance for analyzers previously used in biocontainment laboratories, after decontamination. OEM warranty and service must remain in place, and the supplier must be an OEM-authorized dealer, distributor, or reseller. - Sole-source rationale: DNA Script is identified as the only vendor whose synthesizer meets all stated minimum essential characteristics. - Value and schedule: The notice does not state a contract value or start/end dates. The value range below is a planning estimate, not a government estimate; four years refers to the preventive-maintenance support period, while software support is five years.

Description

The Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA) intends to award a Firm Fixed Price, sole source Contract on behalf of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to DNA Script Inc, located in Cambridge, MA, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as prescribed in RFO FAR 12.102(b) Restricting Competition for acquisitions valued over the SAT. This requirement is for the acquisition of 1 benchtop DNA synthesizer system with a preventative maintenance support contract for an additional 4 years. The benchtop unit shall meet the following minimum essential characteristics:

1. The synthesizer table-top dimensions must not exceed: 48’’ x 26’’ x 29’’. The required vacuum cabinet (freestanding) is 33’’ x 26’’ x 26’’ (inches).

2. The synthesizer shall have same-day throughput e.g. 96 oligos of 20 nucleotides in length in approximately 6 hours and 120 nucleotides in less than 24 hours

3. The synthesizer shall synthesize oligos labeled with fluorophores, quenchers, or biotin with the use of appropriate reagent kits with up to 5 colors in parallel.

4. The synthesizer shall be fully automated: oligos are synthesized, quantified, and normalized in a single synthesis run without user interaction following an approximate range of 15 to 30 minutes of setup.

5. The synthesizer shall have console software that can be installed and hosted on a stand-alone, off-network computer connected to the synthesizer.

6. The synthesizer shall have no harsh organic solvents: the product uses biochemistry, composed of water-based reagents, proprietary enzymes, and proprietary nucleotides that are typically compliant with standard laboratory waste management systems.

7. The synthesizer can perform without any specific environmental control (no need for Argon or any Gas).

8. The synthesizer should have an output power capacity of 1800 W / 2200 VA, 120 VAC input/output voltage and NEMA 5-20P input connection.

9. The synthesizer should produce oligos as they occur in biology, producing oligos that are free of molecular defects or blemishes.

10. The data management software shall provide user authentication features to include: password complexity requirements; automatic logout; limited login attempts; and account inactivity period.

11. The data management software shall have full traceability for synthesis runs, quality control runs, instrument maintenance, reagent usage, user identification, and 5 years of support.

12. The synthesizer shall permit data export to a backup medium.

13. The contractor shall provide method validation services and on-site and off-site operator training, as well as on-site start up support.

14. The contractor shall provide onsite preventative and corrective maintenance for analyzers previously used in biocontainment laboratories (following decontamination).

15. The contractor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorized dealer, authorized distributor, or authorized reseller for the quoted equipment such that OEM warranty and service are provided and maintained by the OEM. All software licensing, warranty, and services associated with the equipment shall be in accordance with OEM terms and conditions.

DNA Script is the only vendor who has a benchtop DNA synthesizer capable of producing 96 oligonucleotides of 20 nucleotides in lengths in 6 hours and 120 nucleotides in length in 24 hours. DNA Script also has the capability of adding biotin, quenchers, and fluorescent molecules to the oligonucleotides for downstream applications, reducing the cost of targeting pathogens. DNA Script’s synthesizer is the only unit capable of meeting all the government’s minimum essential characteristics. The safety features built into the synthesizer protect users by reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, dedicated fume vents, and gas cylinders limiting exposer to stored chemicals.

This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirement under RFO FAR 5.101(a). This notice of intent is NOT a request for quotations (RFQ) and no solicitation document exists for the requirement; however, if a vendor challenges the basis for this requirement, please submit a capability statement that includes sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to meet the governments requirement. 

A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response.  A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source procurement.

Any other firms desiring consideration must submit capability statements and identify their interest and capability in providing these services. Responses to this notice must be received no later than 0900 Eastern Time, 2 November 2026. Capability statements shall be submitted via email ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following email addresses ryan.r.jorgensen.civ@health.mil and jayme.l.fletcher2.civ@health.mil.  No phone calls will be accepted.

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