MALDI Biotyper Sirius CA

Sources Sought Announcement

This is a Sources Sought Announcement for market research to identify potential businesses capable of providing a MALDI (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization) Mass Spectrometry (Microbial Identification System) for the Puget Sound VA Medical Center in Seattle, WA. The government is seeking an FDA-approved automated testing system for identifying microorganisms.

• An FDA-approved automated testing system that identifies microorganisms using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

• The system must identify common microorganisms from clinically relevant patient samples.

• Must meet accuracy and precision standards defined by CLIA and CLSI.

• Specific required components include:

  • MALDI Biotyper sirius CA System
  • MBT Compass HT
  • MBT HT Filamentous Fungi Module
  • MBT Filamentous Fungi Library Extension
  • MBT HT Sepsityper Module
  • MBT Sepsityper Kit US IVD

• The FDA-cleared reference library should include at least 488 microbial species.

• Must include the MBT Sepsityper® Kit US IVD for identification directly from positive blood culture.

• Must include Filamentous Fungi and Fungi Library Extension for at least 220 different species, including Coccidioides.

• Desired capabilities include libraries for Mycobacteria, Strain typing, rapid assessment of Beta-lactamase activity, and machine-learning for new organisms.

• Instrument specifications include:

  • Benchtop solution, 75kg or less.
  • Integrated pumping system with turbomolecular pump.
  • Runs on standard 110V power, dissipates no more than 400 Watts.
  • Laser lifetime of 500 million shots or seven years.
  • Operates quietly (< 50 db) within 16 – 30°C and 20 – 75% humidity.
  • Time between plate loading and data acquisition < 4 minutes.
  • Capable of identifying up to 600 samples per hour.
  • Self-cleaning ion source.
  • Slides with at least 45 target spots.
  • Identification of a single organism in less than 2 minutes.
  • 15 minutes from loading slide to starting identification.

• This is a Sources Sought Announcement only; it is not a solicitation or request for proposals.

• The Government may consider a total set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), but may consider other set-asides or full and open competition based on responses.

• No sub-contracting opportunities are anticipated.

• Interested and capable businesses should provide company information, contact details, UEI, business size information (including NAICS code 334516 applicability), FSS/GSA contract details (if applicable), ownership information, Brand Name and Model Number, general pricing, and country of origin.

• Responses must be submitted via email to Nicholas.Heintz@VA.gov with the subject line "MALDI Biotyper".

• Response deadline: May 13, 2026, 10:00 AM PST.

• NAICS Code: 334516.

• Potential set-aside for SDVOSB is mandated, with other options if insufficient SDVOSB responses are received.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• SDVOSB/VOSB must be listed in the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search.

• Prospective bidders must be authorized re-sellers.

• The Government is not obligated to pay for any costs associated with responding.

• This announcement does not commit the Government to a contract award.

• A solicitation may be published on sam.gov or GSA eBuy after review of responses.

Sources Sought Announcement

This is a Sources Sought Announcement for market research purposes to identify potential businesses capable of providing a MALDI (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization) Mass Spectrometry Microbial Identification System for the Puget Sound VA Medical Center in Seattle, WA. This is not a solicitation, and the government is not obligated to award a contract.

• An FDA-approved automated testing system for identifying microorganisms using MALDI Mass Spectrometry.

• Must identify common microorganisms from Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

• Must meet CLIA and CLSI performance standards for accuracy and precision.

• Specific system components required include:

  • MALDI Biotyper sirius CA System
  • MBT Compass HT
  • MBT HT Filamentous Fungi Module
  • MBT Filamentous Fungi Library Extension
  • MBT HT Sepsityper Module
  • MBT Sepsityper Kit US IVD

• The FDA-cleared reference library must include at least 488 microbial species.

• Must include a non-clinically validated/research-use only library.

• MBT Sepsityper® Kit US IVD for identification from positive blood cultures (15-20 minutes).

• Filamentous Fungi module must support at least 220 species, including Coccidioides.

• Optional expansion libraries for Mycobacteria, Strain typing, and Beta-lactamase activity are desired.

• Machine-learning capability for building in-house databases is required.

• Instrument specifications include:

  • Benchtop solution (<= 75kg).
  • Integrated pumping system (70 L/sec turbomolecular pump).
  • Operates on standard 110V power, dissipating no more than 400 Watts.
  • Laser lifetime of 500 million shots or seven years.
  • Quiet operation (< 50 db).
  • Operating temperature range: 16 – 30°C.
  • Time from plate loading to data acquisition < 4 minutes.
  • Throughput of up to 600 samples per hour.
  • Self-cleaning ion source.
  • Slides with at least 45 target spots.
  • Identification of a single organism in < 2 minutes.
  • Time from slide loading to starting identification <= 15 minutes.

• NAICS Code: 334516

• Product Service Code: 6640

• Place of Performance: Puget Sound VAMC, Seattle, WA.

• Responses must be in writing and submitted via email to Nicholas.Heintz@VA.gov with the subject line "MALDI Biotyper".

• Response Date/Time: 05-13-2026 10:00 Pacific Time.

• The government is not obligated to pay for any costs associated with this announcement.

• The VA is mandated to consider a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). If insufficient SDVOSB responses are received, alternate set-asides or full and open competition may be considered.

• Prospective bidders must be authorized resellers.

• All offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• SDVOSBs/VOSBs must be listed in the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search under NAICS code 334516.

• Interested parties should provide company name, contact name, phone, email, UEI, business size information (including small business status under NAICS 334516), FSS/GSA contract details (if applicable), information on other owned companies, brand name/model offered, general pricing, and country of origin.

• A solicitation may be published after review of responses.