AGRI - DNA - Request Form to Division of Purchasing (DOP).pdf

Request Form to Division of Purchasing (DOP)

Exemption from Competition - EFC

If you have any questions please contact us at DOPHelpDesk@adm.idaho.gov

Form ID

Generated after Receipt by DOP

Year

Requestor Information

Agency Name * Idaho State Department of Agriculture

Agency Acronym *

ISDA

Requestor Name * Molly Heiss

Phone * 208-332-8641

E-mail * molly.heiss@isda.idaho.gov

Property Being Purchased: * Environmental DNA (eDNA) Molecular Testing Services

This field has a 300 character limit

Type of Exemption Check all that apply

Type of Exemption *

A solicitation has been completed and my Agency wishes to award contracts to multiple vendors for the same or smilar property (Multiple Award Authorization)

My Agency wishes to administer or award a solicitation at a dollar amount above its normal Delegated Purchasing Authority (Limited/One-Time DPA)

The property required is available on one or more open contracts, but my Agency wishes to purchase from a different vendor. (Note: if total value is over $10,000, Agency must also check the box for exemption from competition if requesting to pruchase from a specific vendor). (Utilization of Open Contract).

A solicitation is being developed (by my Agency under its DPA or in conjunction with DOP) and my Agency wishes to limit responses to a specific manufacturer/brand name (I.e. no substitutions). (Note: this option assumes that multiple vendors can offer the identified brand name; otherwise, select the option for exemption from competition to request a Sole Source Authorization (Brand Name Only)

A solicitation has been completed and there is a need to negotiate with one or more vendors. (Authorization to Negotiate)

My Agency is seeking to purchase directly from an identified vendor without completing a solicitation OR wishes to perform a level of competition that is less formal than would typically be required. (Various exemptions-additional questions to follow) mailto:molly.heiss@isda.idaho.gov

Additional Questions *

There is an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare (Emergency Purchase Authorization)

The required property can only be procured from a single supplier (sole manufacturer and distributor) (Sole Source Authorization)

There is an existing Policy Directive on the DOP website which requires authorization to be utilized (Utilization of Policy Directive)

It would be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous to complete the required competitive process under the circumstances (Exemption from Competition)

Exemption from Competition

IDAPA 38.05.01.042.05 provides that the administrator may exempt an acquisition from competitive procurement if the administrator determines that bidding is impractical, disadvantageous or unreasonable under the circumstances. Examples include, but are not limited to:

special market conditions; property requiring special contracting procedures due to uniqueness; and services for which competitive solicitation procedures are impractical.

Proposed Supplier * Enter Unknown if supplier is not known

Pisces Molecular LLC

Duration *

One-Time purchase Ongoing

Anticipated Total Cost * $102,500.00

Background * Describe the circumstances eDNA is Environmental DNA: DNA fragments that are found within a sample of water. For years, ISDA has tested water samples for the presence of quagga and zebra veligers (the larval stage of the mussels). eDNA is a more refined way of testing that can more precisely detect the DNA of the invasive animals in water.

This field has a 500 character limit

Justification * Why would the competition be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous under the circumstances?

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) conducts water sampling on Idaho waters statewide throughout the season.

In 2023 and 2024, quagga mussel veligers (the larval form of the invasive species) were detected in the Snake River. After the detection in 2024, more advanced testing was initiated to delimit the extent of the outbreak. eDNA testing is useful for detecting the presence or absence of a species before it becomes visible in the water sample. Environmental DNA testing helped the agency understand the extent of the invasive species outbreak and identified for all stakeholders the areas where quagga DNA was and was not present in the river.

That level of certainty is the foundation of good decision making in an invasive species outbreak, and it is made possible by environmental DNA testing.

For the 2024 quagga response, ISDA and the University of Idaho came to an agreement for eDNA testing services through the U of I analytical lab in Hagerman, Idaho. The Hagerman lab has the capability of doing eDNA molecular testing, but they do not have expertise in this type of testing. U of I Hagerman began the testing and completed a handful of samples for ISDA, but they were not confident in the results they were finding. At that point, ISDA turned to Pisces Molecular, a lab based in Boulder, CO, to complete eDNA testing for the 2024 quagga outbreak.

ISDA is familiar with Pisces Molecular because both organizations serve on the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, an advisory committee made up of state regulators, industry representatives, environmental groups, and laboratories engaged in collaborative problem solving. Pisces Molecular has a research focus on zebra and quagga mussels.

Since no other state has tried to control the spread of these species, Idaho is in an emerging technology space where we are developing knowledge in real time. Our results are informing the work of the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species.

Pisces Molecular lab, a Western Regional Panel member organization, has developed the specific primers and assays for use in eDNA detection of zebra and quagga mussels.

- Primers are the chemical mixtures to dilute or amplify the DNA or RNA strand to aid in detection.

- Assays are the lab techniques or procedures that are used to determine the presence or concentration of a component in a sample.

The State of Idaho is doing groundbreaking work on developing ways to detect and stop aquatic invasive animal species. The results that ISDA https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/38/380501.pdf has seen over the past two seasons of responses to invasive quagga mussels are the first of their kind. There is no body of work that exists to guide states through a response of this type – every decision is experimental because we are the first state that has tried to protect our waters from these species.

For the past two seasons, Idaho has been the test case in whether it is possible to control an outbreak of invasive quagga mussels. By collaborating with the lab that has innovated the assays and primers needed to do this kind of detection, ISDA will make better, more well-informed decisions about treatment plans. This will help protect Idaho’s waters from invasive mussels.

ISDA is requesting an exemption from competition to contract with Pisces Molecular to complete approximately 500 tests for the 2025 season.

Description * Describe the extent to which competition is possible

Trying to run a competitive solicitation in this situation would be disadvantageous for the State of Idaho. While many labs nationwide may have the technical capability to analyze eDNA samples, we found from our experience partnering with the U of I Hagerman lab that an important part of the process is delivering the results with a very high level of certainty.

As the developer of the assays and primers for this exact type of detection, Pisces Molecular brings their expertise to help ISDA and the State of Idaho make the best-informed decisions.

Agency Certification *

The information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge,and supports the need for a direct procurement of the described goods or services, in the best interest of the State.

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Agency Representative * Date of Submittal * 2025-05-14

Approval - EFC

Administrator Intends to approve (pending legal notice). *

Yes No

Optional Posting? * This exemption will be sent for posting before final approval.

Yes No

Notes Public View

This field has a 300 character limit

File Upload

Maximum File Size 250 MB

Date Time * 2025-05-22