How to Respond to the Defense Health Agency DNA Synthesizer Notice

What the agency plans to buy

The Defense Health Agency intends to award DNA Script a sole-source contract for one benchtop DNA synthesizer and four additional years of preventive maintenance support. The system is for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Frederick, Maryland.

The notice is not a request for quotes. Other vendors can submit capability statements if they believe they can meet the agency’s requirements and want the agency to consider a competitive procurement.

Deadline and what happens next

Capability statements must arrive by November 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. The agency says it will use responses only to decide whether to compete the procurement or proceed with a sole-source award.

The agency makes that decision at its discretion. The notice says requests for information or submissions that only ask questions will not count as affirmative responses.

Who this opportunity suits

This notice is relevant to manufacturers and authorized dealers, distributors, or resellers of benchtop DNA synthesizers, especially firms that can document that their system meets the stated requirements and that OEM warranty and service will be maintained.

The key capabilities include producing 96 oligos of 20 nucleotides in about six hours and 120 nucleotides in less than 24 hours, supported labeling options, automated synthesis and processing, and the specified software, safety, power, and service features.

How to submit a response

Submit a capability statement as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment by email to [email protected] and [email protected]. The notice says no phone calls will be accepted.

To view the opportunity on the portal, click “View original source.” If the first click opens the portal homepage, click it again. A free account may be needed to view documents, though some opportunities do not require one.

Make the capability statement specific

Address the stated requirements directly. For each one, explain how your offered system meets it and include clear supporting evidence, such as product specifications or service details. The notice asks for convincing evidence, not a general expression of interest.

Cover the relevant throughput, dimensions, labeling, automation, software, safety, power, data-management, training, validation, and maintenance capabilities. Also identify your relationship to the equipment’s OEM and explain how OEM warranty and service will be provided and maintained.

Keep the submission focused on the agency’s decision about competition. Check that both listed email addresses are included and that the attachment is in Word or PDF format before sending it ahead of the deadline.