Attachment 1 - Statement of Work.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) Project: Lentil Genome Sequencing

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: The USDA-ARS St. Paul, Minnesota location is requesting a quote for services to sequence eight Lens culinaris cultivar genomes in preparation for a variety of lentil studies. These studies will include bioinformatic assessment of the assembled genomes for genes and regions of interest, along with transformation with foreign DNA and CRISPR/Cas9-guided and base editing of the identified regions.

2.0 Background: The Plant Science Research Unit, located in St. Paul, MN, of the ARS-MWA, conducts research on important legumes including the crops soy and alfalfa, along with the model legume Medicago. While soy and alfalfa are two of the most economically impactful crops in the U.S., other legumes such as common bean, cowpea, and lentil are also important for human consumption in the U.S. and globally. Studying these plants is consequently necessary to improve our understanding of the biology of legumes and to develop crops more resilient to worsening environmental stressors, such as drought and disease. To study and develop these features, a complete genome sequence is required: the DNA sequence provides a blueprint with which bioinformatic processes can be performed to identify candidate genes or regions associated with the investigated traits. In addition, the whole genome sequence is often required for direct experimentation in the laboratory. A mostly-complete genome scaffold is available for one lentil cultivar but not for other cultivars of interest. Our goal is to sequence several diverse lentil genomes to obtain a better understanding of the plant’s genetics.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

Brand Name or Equal to – PacBio sequencing platform (e.g., Sequel II, Revio) The following specifications are required for this sequencing contract: in-house DNA extraction service suitable for plant tissue; in-house genomic DNA library preparation; utilization of a PacBio sequencing platform (e.g., Sequel II, Revio), and high genome sequencing depth/coverage (>30X).

The contractor shall be able to sequence eight lentil cultivar genomes.

Technical Evaluation Factors

(a) Capabilities statement not to exceed 3 – 8.5” x 11” pages, Times New Roman font or similar, font size no smaller than 12 pt, font in black, no background pictures or colors.

a. Must include years of experience performing genome sequencing

b. Must include typical length of time to perform requested type of sequencing

c. Must include three references within the past two years.

d. Must include three contracts of similar requirements to include point of contact within the past three years.

(b) Agree to all aspects of the Statement of Work

4.0 Period of Performance:

The government plans to have samples ready within 1-2 weeks after the award. Results from samples shall be delivered within six weeks of receiving samples. Total period of performance 63 days.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

Data generated from this contract shall be delivered to the following: USDA-ARS, Plant Science Research Unit, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, 411 Borlaug Hall., St. Paul, MN 55108.