GeneSeek_JOFOC - Sole Source_FY23.doc

HANDOUT 6A – SOLE SOURCE TEMPLATE

USDA, APHIS, MARKETING AND REGULATORY SERVICES

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

POLICY:

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13.4, the contracting officer must promote competition to the maximum extent practicable to obtain supplies and services from the source whose offer is the most advantageous to the Government, considering the administrative cost of the purchase.

(a) The contracting officer must not—

· Solicit quotations based on personal preference; or

· Restrict solicitation to suppliers of well-known and widely distributed makes or brands.

(b) If using simplified acquisition procedures and not using either FACNET or providing access to the notice of proposed contract action and solicitation information through the Government-wide point of entry (GPE), maximum practicable competition ordinarily can be obtained by soliciting quotations or offers from sources within the local trade area. Unless the contract action requires synopsis pursuant to FAR 5.101 and an exception under FAR 5.202 is not applicable, consider solicitation of at least three sources to promote competition to the maximum extent practicable. Whenever practicable, request quotations or offers from two sources not included in the previous solicitation.

Each justification shall contain sufficient facts and rationale to justify the use of the specific authority cited, and shall include evidence that any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government’s minimum needs or schedule requirements or other rationale for other than full and open competition) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(SOLE OR SINGLE SOURCE)

In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING

ACTIVITY:

Requesting Agency:

USDA, APHIS, WS

NWRC

4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch

Butler Square, Fifth Floor

100 North 6th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55403

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING

APPROVED:

We are requesting High-density Single Nucleotide Polymorphism genotyping services for feral swine. GeneSeek, a Neogen Company, is the leader in the field of agricultural and animal sciences genomics. Their large market share allows them to provide full-service genotyping (acceptance of genetic samples, DNA extraction, genotype quantification, and delivery of data) at a substantial (53%) discount over the price their competitors (Illumina) offer for only materials (SNP BeadChips). Further, GeneSeek has become the industry standard for genotyping. Accordingly, they have been contracted by collaborative agencies within USDA (Agricultural Research Services) to meet ARS genotyping needs. For these reasons, GeneSeek was awarded genotyping contracts in Fiscal Years 2016 – 2022 in which NWRC scientists collectively genotyped over 21,500 feral swine using GeneSeek’s proprietary genotyping bead array. In order to continue building a seamless, long-term dataset and maximize the scientific return on financial investment, it is necessary to continue contracting with GeneSeek for our genotyping needs. Further, through 7 years of contracting, GeneSeek has continued to provide an effective product (in high-resolution genetic analysis) and excellent customer service, and, in doing so, have become a trusted partner in fulfilling our mission within Wildlife Service and USDA.

3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES

REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED

VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS):

We are requesting high-density SNP genotyping services employing GeneSeek’s proprietary 80k (68,516 genetic loci) GGP HD SNP chip. The Agency is in need of genotyping services that provide very high-resolution genetic differentiation among individual feral swine as well as among feral swine populations distributed across the United States. High-resolution genetic information will maximize the return on investment by allowing these genotypes to be used for numerous management and research projects. This information will allow NWRC to develop a detailed map of feral swine genetics across the United States, describe the patterns of range expansion of feral swine via both natural dispersal and human-facilitated introduction, identify cryptic elements of feral swine ecology such as dispersal distance and variation in reproductive success, and quantify the relative susceptibility of feral swine populations to various pathogens that are important for both domestic pig production and human health. Understanding acquired through the analysis of genetic patterns will inform future disease surveillance and guide future feral swine eradication efforts.

Vendor Name & Address:

GeneSeek, A Neogen Company

4131 N. 48th St.

Lincoln, NE 68504 USA Website: http://www.neogen.com/Genomics/

Contact & Phone Number:

Ben Pejsar

Product Manager

Neogen | GeneSeek | Igenity

GeneSeek | 4131 N. 48th St. | Lincoln, NE 68504

(402) 435-0665 bpejsar@neogen.com Estimated Purchase Price: $43/individual genotyped ($4 for DNA extraction and isolation, $39 for SNP genotyping analysis) Total Estimated Price: $109,392

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING

NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS:

(This is a joint effort that requires collaboration between the program manager and the contracting activity)

For example – This may include authorizing legislation, which designates a specific program and acquisition requirement or a specific contractor or cooperator as the intended recipient of project work to be contracted out.

Patent rights, or copyrights, prevent other sources from competing, and require proof.

NOTE: All justification and factual information must be consistent and precisely related to the cited exception and authorities.

5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE

QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES

USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

High-resolution genotypic data is essential for NWRC to address questions related to the origins of feral swine, invasion history, and patterns of introduction throughout the United States. GeneSeek offers high-density SNP genotyping at a rate far lower than other available technologies known to the geneticist at NWRC that provide similar genetic resolution. Development of a consistent dataset with genotyping efforts conducted in Fiscal Years 2016 – 2022 in which NWRC scientists genotyped >21,500 feral swine using GeneSeek’s proprietary GGP HD SNP array, necessitates continuing to contract with this firm for genotyping efforts in FY2022.

6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE, PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES:

The current dataset developed within the National Feral Swine Genetic Archive with >21,500 genotypes was produced with GeneSeek’s proprietary bead array. Illumina, the firm that granted GeneSeek exclusive rights to sell the 80k GGP HD SNP BeadChip, also sells a 60k SNP BeadChip directly to consumers. However, Illumina cannot provide genotypes for the GeneSeek’s proprietary 22,000 SNPs, which represent a substantial portion of the established dataset. Use of Illumina’s services would require scientists at NWRC to isolate the DNA from each sample as well as run the testing assay. The cost per sample to purchase the Illumina’s 60k beadchip, not including DNA preparation or staff time, is $90 per sample. Equipment costs add substantially, as the instrumentation required to run these analyses (Illumina’s HiScanSQ) costs approximately $400,000. Thus, GeneSeek provides more data at a lower price than other options we have identified in the marketplace. As the dataset continues to grow, there is increasing need to continue working with GeneSeek for this genotyping service so as to reap the scientific benefits of building upon this long-term dataset.

7. A DETERMINATION THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FORTHAT DETERMINATION:

Proposed pricing will be compared to similar technology, analyzing cost factors and realism through use of appropriate mathematical methods and market comparisons.

8. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (FAR

PART 10) AND THE RESULTS, OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASON

MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT PERFORMED:

Market research was conducted, evaluating the marketplace for the services required. GeneSeek offers high-density SNP genotyping using a proprietary SNP array at a lower price than alternative service providers.

Continuation of research conducted in Fiscal Years 2016 – 2022 using GeneSeek’s proprietary BeadChip necessitates continued contracting with GeneSeek for genotyping services. Further, we have an established collaboration with USDA Agricultural Research Services – comparing genetic patterns among feral swine to those found among domestic pig breeds. The collaboration with ARS has allowed us to identify the breed composition and origins of feral swine populations. USDA ARS is also used GeneSeek’s proprietary BeadChip for genotyping services (i.e., data generation). Thus, to continue contributing to established datasets generated within USDA, it is necessary to continue contracting with GeneSeek.

Please contact Dr. Tim Smyser as a subject matter expert if a firm other than GeneSeek is awarded the contract for high-density genotyping to ensure the resolution provided is adequate to address identified management/research questions. Contact information is listed below:

Timothy J. Smyser, PhD Research Biologist, Wildlife Genetics

National Wildlife Research Center

4101 LaPorte Ave.

Fort Collins, CO 80521

(765) 586-5890 (cell)

Timothy.J.Smyser@usda.gov

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION - FAR 6.303-2(a)(9):

Our market research has indicated that the tremendous volume of samples processed by GeneSeek has allowed them to reduce prices well below similar services that are offered by their competitors (Illumina). Further, we have explored other options for custom SNP genotyping and deemed the initial investment required for startup to be cost prohibitive.

10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN

INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON:

No other companies are able to provide complementary genotypes to the >21,500 feral swine already genotyped in the database.

11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY. THE AGENCY MAY TAKE

TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION

BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES,

EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED:

The industry that provides this work is a mature industry. The agency will continue to monitor the market place for solutions that may meet our requirements.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

Date

Date

Contracting Officer:

Program Manager:

Minneapolis Procurement Branch