DRAFT SOW Lab Assistant 10Jun22.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Laboratory Assistant Services Cytogenetic analysis of Forest Trees using Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH)

10 June 2022

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel (Laboratory Assistant)

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards Attachment 1 – Level of Effort .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Project Cytogenetic analysis of forest trees using fluorescence in situ hybridization

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

A lab assistant experienced in plant cytogenetics is needed to assist Dr. Nurul Faridi in his research laboratory and greenhouse.

Cytogenetic characterization will be carried out in various forest tree species, e.g., chestnuts, oaks, ashes, pines, etc.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a modern molecular cytogenetic technique used to visualize specific DNA sequences in a cell. FISH has played an important role in revealing the structural organization of genomes including localizing marker(s) and/or gene(s) to specific chromosomes. Various DNA sequences (e.g., ribosomal DNAs, whole genomic DNA, repetitive DNA, bacterial artificial chromosomes, and oligo-synthesized DNA fragments) are used as probes in FISH. Cytogenetic analysis provides complementary information for advancing backcross breeding, genome mapping, and gene discovery and sequence assembly. Structural rearrangements, such as inversions and reciprocal translocations, which are common features in species hybrids, become critical for resistance breeding if the target gene(s) are located on the rearranged chromosome(s). Cytogenetic information can further facilitate molecular-based breeding, genome mapping, and gene discovery and genome sequence assembly.

The work will be completed in the Forest Tree Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory (FTMCL) and adjacent greenhouse located on the campus of Texas A&M University (TAMU), Forest Science Laboratory, 1042 Agronomy Road, College Station, TX.

2.0 Background

The contractor will germinate and grow forest tree seedlings, e.g., chestnuts, oaks, ashes, pines, etc., for root tip collection and prepare chromosome spreads for FISH experiments aimed at localizing specific DNA probes on chromosome(s).

Previous contract support was provided on a sole-source basis. Services executed under this contract shall be performed only by personnel meeting minimum Key Personnel qualifications.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

Key Personnel are expected to execute the following tasks in support of FISH research activities.

- Germination of tree species’ (e.g., ashes, chestnuts, oaks, pines, etc.) seeds, and growing/raising seedlings in a greenhouse for root samples

- Preparation of solutions and reagents related to molecular cytological analysis

- Use of stereo and compound microscopes

- Preparation of root tip chromosome spread slides and analyses to select the good spreads for FISH experiment. Storing the unused slides at -80C for future uses

- Selection of pollen mother cells (PMC) from anthers/catkins for Pachytene chromosome spreads for FISH experiment

- Assisting in conducting FISH experiment and keeping inventory lab related supplies

- Disposing of chemicals (hazardous/non-hazardous) appropriately

4.0 Government Furnished

The Government will furnish all materials and supplies necessary to execute SOW requirements.

Because in certain federal holidays the TAMU campus are open, the contractor may have access to the FTMCL to perform the research work if needed with prior knowledge of Dr. Faridi.

The contractor will abide by TAMU’s rules for building access and use.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

The contractor will record written/typed notes for each day worked, and make these available to the Government Technical Monitor (GTM, Nurul Faridi) as requested. Inspection of the work performed under this contract shall be made by the contacting Officer’s Representative (COR, Denise Bates) and the GTM as the work progresses at such intervals as necessary to ensure compliance with contract specifications.

Contract will be funded for 600 hrs per year and invoicing will be on a Labor Hour basis for actual hours worked. Invoicing to take place no more than once per month.

The contractor shall provide a written report monthly (by the 5th day of the month), summarizing the past month’s work compared to project goals. The GTM will use these reports as well as frequent observations to make an overall inspection of work quality and compliance with contract specifications. If the work is not accepted by the GTM, the contractor will complete any remedial work required within the first week of a written notification of such need by the GTM.

Item No.

Deliverable / Item Title

Description Frequency Delivery Format Due By

1 Daily notes on worked completed

Record notes daily and make available to GTM as requested

Once per worked day

In physical notebook or printed from Word file

Dailey as requested by GTM

2 Monthly Status Report

Monthly report documenting tasks and issues identified during the month

Once per month

Via email to GTM By the 5th day of each month during the contracted period

Work Schedule

Work will be conducted during normal business hours, Monday thru Friday, 8AM-5PM, an excluded all federal holidays.

Flexibility and communication with scheduling of hours is critical.

At least 7 calendar days’ notice will be given by the GTM to allow for scheduling of planned hours. Contractor will not be held accountable for inability to meet scheduling needs when less notice is provided.

6.0 Travel

No travel will be required.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel (Laboratory Assistant)

Minimum Education

BS/BA degree in biological or plant sciences with 5 years’ cytogenetics lab experience; or MS degree in plant sciences with 2 years’ cytogenetics lab experience

Specific Experience Requirements Germinating and growing tree seedlings Preparing chemical solutions Using stereo and compound microscopes Preparing root tips for chromosome spreading Differentiating plant reproductive structures Properly disposing of used reagents

Desired Experience Verifiable understanding of and/or experience with the FISH technique is desired but not considered a minimum requirement

8.0 Security Requirements

The work will be conducted in the FTMCL that is housed within TAMU’s Forestry Sciences Lab on the campus of Texas A&M University. The contractor will follow TAMU rules and protocols for accessing the lab and keep Dr. Faridi informed on a daily basis.

9.0 Data Rights

The agency has the right to preserve the data as per agency’s rule such all products and information generated will be property of the U.S. Government for which the USFS has unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

N/A