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THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation for bids, proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. The responses received from interested contractors will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide the following in support of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS):

VAPSHCS has a need for a Western Protein Analyzer Brand Name or Equal to the Protein Simple Abby 004/680 Next Generation Chemiluminescence Western Instrument. A Next Generation Chemiluminescence Western Instrument is needed to study exceedingly rare cell types and detect low-abundance protein targets within those cells. Therefore, an instrument with superior sensitivity is critical. The requested instrument must allow integrated protein separation, immunodetection and data analysis, and allow data to be obtained in a quantitative manner across a broad concentration range. It must allow low sample volume (less than 5 µl) and permits multiple samples to be run simultaneously (at least 10 and ideally over 20). Further, this system allows for simultaneous multiplex detection of multiple proteins (4 at one time, with multiple rounds of protein detection being possible). The following is a description of the items followed by additional salient characteristics:

DESCRIPTION
MANUFACTURER PART #
QUANTITY
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO:
Protein Simple Abby System with PC
004-680
1
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO:
Protein Simple Abby Module Kit (includes EZ standard pack)
PS-T006
1
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO:
Protein Simple CTC-007 Abby Module Kit Accessory (included in PT-T006)
CTC-007
1
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO:
Protein Simple 12 230 kDa Jess Wes Separation Module 8 x 13 capil
SM-W002
1
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO:
Protein Simple Replex Module
RP-001
1
BRAND NAME OR EQUAL TO:
Protein Simple Total Protein Detection Module for Jess Wes Peggy
DM-TP-01
1

Specific Essential/significant physical, functional, or performance characteristics:

Automated separation of proteins.
Automated immunodetection, providing superior reproducibility of antibody additions, incubations and washes.
Sub microgram (at or below 0.6 µg) and low sample volume (Broad detection of molecular weights in a single sample (400 kDa)
Simultaneous analysis of multiple (ideally 20 or more) samples, within a 3-hour period
Multiplex immunodetection, allowing analysis of at least 4 proteins per sample per round of immunodetection (this can be repeated on the same sample)
Picogram-level sensitivity through chemiluminescence detection
Integrated total protein detection with nanogram-level sensitivity
Integrated sample annotation tool, a major workflow improvement and time saver
Integrated data analysis to improve workflow, decrease variability and increase reproducibility
Instrument computers and software requirements:
The instrument must have integrated sample annotation and data analysis, precluding the need for a separate computer/software package.

Vendor service and support:

The instrument must have a warranty for a period of at least one year from the date of installation (or 15 months from the date of shipment whichever is earlier).
The instrument purchase must include an orientation session by remote or in person by a trained technical scientist.
The vendor must offer telephone technical support and field applications, sales, and service support to help resolve chemistry and instrumentation problems.

Other information:

The VAPSHCS lab has the need to perform protein analysis on a regular basis. The system shall allow/provide:
Analysis of up to 25 samples simultaneously, allowing multiple experiments to be run simultaneously
Streamlining and automation of the separation and immunodetection of proteins (this is currently done in separate steps using different instruments/procedures)
Detection of low abundance (picogram) proteins in a small sample format allowing experiments, minimizing the need to combine samples from multiple experiments for a single analysis
Allowing protein detection over a broad concentration range to avoid the need to run multiple sample dilutions for different analytes
Integrated data analysis
Quick installation
High efficiency and high throughput
User friendly interface.

No gray market or remanufactured items will be acceptable. Vendor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor, or authorized reseller for the proposed equipment/system, verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM.

Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the above stated supplies at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Jennifer Robles at jennifer.robles1@va.gov no later than April 24, 2023, 5PM MDT. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, SAM UEI and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract. NAICS Code 334516, Size Standard: 1,000 employees are applicable to determine business size standard. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Jennifer Robles at jennifer.robles1@va.gov.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This Sources Sought Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. The Government will treat any information received as proprietary and will not share such information with other companies. Any organization responding to this Sources Sought Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement. There is no solicitation available at this time.

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