A16_Justifications___JOFOC_with_addendum_signed.pdf

Last Updated: 11/15/2011 Version 1

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 Division of Contracting

Requisition No. Enter number

Purchase Order No. Enter number

Sole Source Justification

A. Description

The role of Eurofins BioDiagnostics Inc. (EBDI) is to provide DNA extraction, microarray genotyping, data creation and raw data delivery to Oklahoma State University (Dr. Ron Van Den Bussche). EBDI has years of experience in microarray technology and DNA extraction. The DNA extraction will be performed on whole blood samples provided by other project entities. Post DNA extraction, samples will be genotyped using a custom Axiom (Affymetrix) microarray for eagle samples. The custom array was designed by Dr. Ron Van Den Bussche, a collaborator on the project, and contains ~75,000 markers of genetic importance. Once data has been delivered, samples will be shipped to another collaborator (TBD) for final storage. EBDI is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory (Cert # 3907.01) and upholds the highest standards for all laboratory work. Work will completed in two phases to allow for proper selection of samples that will be most informative to the study.

B. Justification

a. Circumstances

EBDI is the only known commercial laboratory which has successfully utilized extraction techniques to obtain high quality DNA from archived bald eagle samples. They have worked exclusively with USFWS collaborator Dr. Ron Van Den Bussche, Oklahoma State University providing high quality data on previous geneotyping projects. This past work will act as a necessary comparision to our project enabling further spatial evaluaitons of genetic flow to be assessed.

b. Other Capable Sources

Other laboratories including USGS/CERC, and Oklahoma State Univeristy were considered for sample preparation, however, these options were not considered viable as these labs have limited experience with such sample prep, and were therefore considered to be less cost effective as considerable method development which might cause loss of unique samples would be required. These labs and others capable of performing geneotyping were not considered as no laboratory has experience with these types of samples or this specific microarray Further previous work by EBDI will be key to assessing the true spatial nature of our gene flow and therefore ustilizing this laboratory is vital to understanding overall project objectives.

c. Barriers to Competition

As this cutting edge technology becomes more widely available, we will consider other avenues to achive the goals of the project including use of other commercial laboratories. However, currently other laboratories can not match the experience of EBDI with these specific samples and gene array.

C. Recommendation and Certification by Program Office

Based on the above justification, I recommend this acquisition to be conducted using sole source acquisition procedures as specified in FAR Part 13. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Mandy Annis, Program/Project Officer

Date

D. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval

4/30/2021

Last Updated: 11/15/2011 Version 1

Based on the above justification, I hereby certify that the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source reasonably available and approve the use of sole source acquisition procedures for this purchase.

Darla Freyholtz Ballard, Contracting Officer

Date

E. Concurrence by Chief of Contracting Office (only required for awards exceeding $25,000)

I hereby concur that the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

Chief of Contracting Office Name, Chief of Contracting Office

Date

Additional justification for sole source of Eurofins genotyping project following CO questions:

USFWS has spearheaded a long term monitoring effort to understand the recovery of bald eagles in the state of Michigan. Part of this project includes collection of tissues from eaglets to assess their health and contaminant levels. As eagle populations have begun to increase continued questions remain regarding how healthy the birds are, particularly those reared in Areas of Concern (AOC)or locations with high chemical contamination, and if they are contributing to the overall eagle populations in Michigan. This helps address if the restoration efforts in AOCs are sufficient to allow for self sustaining populations. To understand if AOC reared birds are reproducing the USFWS has partnered with Dr. Ron Van Den Bussche at Oklahoma State University(OKSU)to look at genetic movement into and out the AOCs through genotyping of the Michigan population. Dr. Van Den Bussche has developed a unique proprietary series of gene sequences which can help answer this question. He has a long term a relationship with Eurofins which allows these specialized analyses. Eurofins therefore is uniquely qualified to provide the laboratory preparation and analyses required for the genotyping. Eurofins is the only laboratory which has been granted the ability to access OKSU one of a kind genotyping sequences. Further, Eurofins is the only laboratory which has conducted DNA isolation on the bald eagle blood which USFWS has helped collect through previous decades of research and funding. Only Eurofins has successfully obtained high quality DNA from these archived samples and is therefore critical in assessing the questions we face regarding AOC eagle reproduction. Further because of past studies with Dr. Van Den Bussche the data resulting from this project will be directly comparable to that of other research from OKSU and will allow direct comparisons with other eagle populations which will provide additional data on which to inform management actions. Due to these reasons, utilizing other laboratories will not allow the same level of comparisons and will result in less confident results. This will result in a lost opportunity for further bald eagle assessments in Michigan and nationwide as part of a broader understanding of genetic movement in these special status birds and limit the usefulness of decades of research and federal funds.

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