C04b_ Attachment 2_JARedacted_1232SA26Q0558.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 1169246

Rev. 3/4/26

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) FAR

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: 1169246

Requesting Activity Agency: USDA ARS NEA BARC Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL), Beltsville, MD

Contracting Activity: Integrated multiomics profiling of 97 cattle samples to characterize gene expression, microbiome function, and immune diversity

(2) Estimated Value

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services USDA-ARS NEA BARC AGIL requires a qualified service provider to perform integrated multi-omics sequencing and data processing to support livestock improvement and germplasm conservation efforts. The provider will conduct snMultiome profiling (n=25) to assess chromatin accessibility and gene expression, metatranscriptomics sequencing (n=60) to examine rumen host–microbiome interactions, and 5’ gene expression with BCR/TCR repertoire enrichment (n=12) to evaluate adaptive immune diversity, using standardized, high-throughput workflows. Services must ensure compatibility with existing datasets, maintain data quality and consistency, and deliver processed outputs suitable for downstream integrative analysis. The selected provider must have demonstrated expertise, validated protocols, and the technical capacity to complete the work within the required timeline.

(4) Suggested Source The suggested contractor is:

Mary Grantham Email: NGS@azenta.com Azenta US, Inc.

2910 Fortune Circle West, Suite E, Indianapolis, IN 46241 Tel: (858)527–7080

UEI: FW1MQC5H7K56

(5) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

Azenta US, Inc. possesses unique technical and operational capabilities that are essential to meeting USDA ARS NEA BARC AGIL’s requirements. A substantial body of existing AGIL genomic and transcriptomic datasets has been generated using Azenta US, Inc. library preparation and sequencing pipelines. Continued use of the same provider is required to maintain strict consistency in library construction chemistry, sequencing parameters, and downstream data structure, which is critical to minimize batch effects and ensure valid cross-study integration.

In addition, Azenta US, Inc. offers integrated, high-throughput sequencing services with established, validated workflows that align directly with project specifications. Their local operational presence—including routine sample pickup at the BARC campus and rapid processing in Rockville, MD—ensures efficient logistics, reduced turnaround time, and secure data delivery. Azenta US, Inc.

has proven performance, established data transfer pipelines, and direct technical engagement confirming alignment with project needs.

Although other vendors may offer sequencing services, differences in proprietary protocols, reagents, and data processing pipelines would introduce variability that compromises data comparability, increases integration risk, and may require reprocessing. No other vendor can meet the combined requirements for data compatibility, operational efficiency, and validated performance.

Therefore, Azenta US, Inc. is the only technically acceptable source.

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

Market research was conducted to identify alternative vendors capable of providing the required full-service sequencing (library preparation and sequencing). This included review of vendor capabilities, consultation with peer institutions, literature searches, and queries of the AbilityOne Procurement List and GSA Advantage using relevant keywords. No applicable services were identified through AbilityOne. GSA Advantage returned vendors offering sequencing-related services; however, none met the specific technical and operational requirements of this project.

The requirement involves integrated workflows that must maintain compatibility with existing USDA BARC AGIL datasets generated using Azenta US, Inc. pipelines, including consistency in library chemistry, sequencing parameters, and data structure. Additional requirements—such as local sample pickup at BARC, rapid regional processing, and established secure data delivery pipelines— further limit viable sources.

While competition exists in the broader marketplace for sequencing services, no vendors were identified that can meet the combined requirements for technical consistency, logistical capability, and data continuity. Use of alternative providers would introduce variability, delay analysis, and increase cost and risk. Accordingly, Azenta US, Inc. is the only vendor capable of fulfilling the Government’s requirement.