Attachment 1 Scope of Work.doc

Statement of Work

Project: Maize Genotyping and DNA Extraction from leaf

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: The objective is to determine the genotypes of approximately 1700 maize varieties at approximately 8000 SNP marker loci.

2.0 Background: Maize contains more than 30,000 genes that determine the characteristics of the plant. The position of each gene is called a genetic locus (plural: loci). Different versions of a gene are called alleles and many different alleles of each gene exist in nature. The genotype of a plant is the specific combination of alleles present in each plant. We use genotype information to learn how genes function to determine the characteristics of a plant and to develop new varieties with characteristics that increase the value of the crop, such as increased yield or nutritional quality. Genotypes are determined from plant tissue samples by first extracting the DNA from the tissue examining the sequence of the DNA at the desired SNP marker loci. There are several methods for doing this, but all require a chemical process that involves liquid handling. Tissue samples are typically processed in batches of 96 using plates with 96 wells that facilitate the liquid handling steps required for genotyping.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

· Extract DNA from leaf tissue provided by USDA researchers by method producing suitable quantity and quality of DNA for contractor marker detection method.

· Determine the SNP genotype at approximately 8000 SNP loci approximately randomly distributed throughout the maize genome.

· Deliver marker data consisting of allele calls at each locus and quality control information to the government in Microsoft Excel format.

4.0 Government Furnished:

· USDA researchers will provide the leaf tissues for DNA extraction.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

Timely submission of deliverables is essential to successful completing this requirement. Schedules for deliverables are specified below. All deliverables shall be prepared and submitted according to format, content, and schedule described in the SOW. The main deliverable consists of genotype data from the tissue samples provided by the Government.

Key Deliverables

6.0 Data Rights: All data generated will be owned by the USDA and will be made available to the performing institution for the purpose of improving their service.

7.0 Place of Performance: All work shall be performed at contractor site. Contractor will provide reported information electronically to Technical Point of Contact.

8.0 Period of Performance: Work shall be fully completed within 180 days from date of award.

9.0 Evaluation Factors: Technical acceptability, delivery, price with technical acceptability and deliverability more important than price 10.0 Technical Point of Contact: Paul Scott, 1 (515) 294-7825, paul.scott@USDA.GOV