FWS Form 3-0034 (Rev. 10/2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1. Description of Need

3. Other Capable Sources

2. Market Research Conducted

Pursuant to FAR subpart 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

Instructions: The information in the text boxes are provided as sample language or to indicate a needed fill-in. Sample language should be removed from the final document. All text boxes require information and shall not be left blank.

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

(UNDER SAT)

JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS

Acquisitions Operations

4. Barriers to Competition

5. Contractor's Qualifications

6. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

7. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office

Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Program / Project Officer

8. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval: Under SAT

Based on the above justification, I hereby certify and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 for this purchase.

Contracting Officer

Text3: Although other institutions conduct coral genetics research, no other sources were identified that can provide the required level of expertise, efficiency, and methodological capability necessary for this work.

Alternative laboratories would require:

1) Development or adaptation of sequencing protocols

2) Additional time and cost for optimization of methods

3) Potential use of more expensive approaches (e.g., whole genome sequencing or bait capture)

Additionally, most laboratories lack:

1) Experience resolving Acroporid coral species boundaries at this scale

2) Proven ability to integrate genomic data with ecological datasets from mesophotic systems

3) Immediate availability and capacity to complete the work within project timelines

As a result, no other responsible source is reasonably available to perform this work without significant duplication of effort, increased costs, or unacceptable delays.

Text2: Market research was conducted to identify laboratories capable of performing high-resolution coral phylogenomic analysis, particularly for non-model organisms such as Acroporid corals. This included:

1) Review of academic and federal laboratories specializing in coral genetics and phylogenomics

2) Evaluation of capabilities for reduced-representation genomic sequencing methods

3) Assessment of expertise in Pacific coral systems and mesophotic coral ecosystems

Findings indicate that while some institutions conduct coral genetics research, very few possess:

1) Demonstrated expertise in phylogenomic resolution of coral species boundaries

2) Established workflows for reduced-representation sequencing in non-model organisms

3) Experience applying genomic data to mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Pacific.

Dr. Robert Toonen’s laboratory at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology was identified as uniquely qualified. His lab developed the ezRAD technique, a cost-effective and highly efficient genomic sequencing method specifically designed for non-model organisms, including corals. This method provides both broad genome coverage and high-resolution SNP data, allowing for robust phylogenetic analysis at significantly lower cost than whole genome sequencing.

No other laboratories were identified that offer the same combination of:

1) Proprietary methodological expertise (ezRAD)

2) Proven application to coral phylogenetics

3) Capacity to perform this work within the required timeframe Text1: The Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (PIFWO) requires specialized genetic analysis of coral specimens collected in American Samoa as part of the Deep-CRES project. This work directly supports Hypothesis H03, which seeks to characterize scleractinian coral diversity and evaluate patterns across depth and geographic gradients, including comparison of phylogenetic relationships with morphological identifications.

The original project proposal included a coral phylogenetics component to resolve species boundaries and identify cryptic diversity. However, due to COVID-related disruptions and budget constraints, this work was removed from the initial scope. With the addition of supplemental funding to the CRES project, this critical component can now be completed as originally intended.T

The required work includes:

1) Genetic sequencing of approximately 48 coral specimens (primarily Acroporids)

2) Application of reduced-representation genomic sequencing (ezRAD)

3) Phylogenetic analysis to resolve species boundaries and identify cryptic diversity

4) Comparison of genetic results with morphological identifications

5) Integration of results into broader biodiversity, habitat, and management analyses

This work is essential because morphological identification alone is insufficient for many coral taxa due to phenotypic plasticity, cryptic species complexes, and unresolved taxonomy. The resulting genetic data will directly support project outputs, including improved species inventories, biodiversity assessments, and identification of species of concern relevant to ESA, EFH, and HAPC considerations.

Text4: 1. Proprietary Methodology (ezRAD)

Dr. Toonen developed the ezRAD technique, which is uniquely suited for this project. It provides:

1) Genome-wide data and SNP resolution

2) Recovery of ultra-conserved elements used in coral taxonomy

3) A cost-effective alternative to whole genome sequencing

No equivalent off-the-shelf method exists that provides the same balance of cost, efficiency, and resolution.

2. Specialized Expertise in Coral Phylogenomics

Coral taxonomy is particularly challenging due to:

1) Phenotypic plasticity

2) Cryptic species complexes

3) Limited resolution of traditional genetic markers

Dr. Toonen is internationally recognized for his work in coral phylogenetics and population genomics, with extensive publications and leadership in this field.

3. Integration with Existing Project Design

This work was originally proposed within the Deep-CRES framework and is required to:

1) Validate morphological species identifications

2) Support biodiversity and habitat analyses

3) Contribute to project-wide outputs across multiple hypotheses

Using another provider would risk inconsistency with the original scientific framework.

4. Limited Availability of Comparable Expertise

Very few laboratories globally have:

1) Expertise in reduced-representation genomic sequencing for corals

2) Experience in Pacific mesophotic reef systems

3) Capacity to perform this work within project timelines

5. Time Sensitivity

Delays in completing this work would:

1) Impact grant deliverables and reporting timelines

2) Delay integration with other datasets (e.g., fish, algae, invertebrates, habitat)

3) Reduce the overall scientific value of the project Text6: The proposed cost is fair and reasonable based on the following:

1. Cost Efficiency of ezRAD The ezRAD technique significantly reduces costs compared to:

1) Whole genome sequencing

2) Bait capture phylogenomics while still providing high-resolution genomic data

2. Alignment with Standard Research Costs Costs are consistent with:

1) Academic genomic sequencing services

2) Bioinformatics analysis and interpretation

3) Comparable federally funded marine research projects

3. Avoidance of Duplication of Effort

Selecting Dr. Toonen avoids:

1) Method development costs

2) Additional sequencing optimization

3) Re-analysis or inconsistent datasets

4. Best Value to the Government

This approach ensures:

1) High-quality, defensible scientific outputs

2) Timely completion of deliverables

3) Efficient use of supplemental funding

Text5: Dr. Robert Toonen and the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology are uniquely qualified to perform this work.

Technical Expertise

1) Developer of the ezRAD sequencing method widely used for non-model organisms

2) Extensive experience in coral phylogenetics, genomics, and biodiversity analysis

3) Proven ability to resolve species boundaries in complex coral taxa

Scientific Leadership

1) Top 0.5% of global researchers and Fellow of the International Coral Reef Society

2) Over 300 publications with a strong focus on marine genomics and coral reef systems

3) Principal investigator on numerous large-scale coral reef research projects

Project Integration

1) Active collaborator and lead on components of the Deep-CRES project

2) Familiarity with study design, sampling methods, and datasets

3) Ability to directly integrate genetic data into broader project analyses

Institutional Capacity

1) HIMB provides state-of-the-art genomic and bioinformatics infrastructure

2) Established workflows for high-throughput sequencing and analysis

3) Proven track record of delivering federally funded research