JOFOC_REDACTED.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Project Title:

Investigation of cell heterogeneity and identification of biomarkers of tick salivary glands and midgut in the context of tick-Borrelia interactions

I . Identification of the agency and contracting activity

DHHS, NIH, NIAID, DIR,RML, LB, TPTU

Requestors name:

Requestors phone number:

Requestors email address:

Address of the requesting lab/office: RML, HAMILTON MT 59840 II. Description of the project, and supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value) A. Type of action. Check the appropriate box:

☒ New requirement ☐ Follow-on

• Name of the previous contractor(s): ________________________________

• Sequence number(s), if available: ____________________________________

• Was the initial and any subsequent awards competed? ☐ Yes ☐ No

B. AMBIS Sequence number for this requirement:

C. Total estimated dollar value of the requirement (including options, if applicable): $43,826.20 D. Period of performance, inclusive of options: from to E. Project Background

Research in the Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit (TPTU/LB/RML) focuses on understanding how molecules from ticks are critical for the success of tick feeding and pathogen transmission. A deeper understanding of tick feeding biology is needed to discover weak links that can be targeted for effective development of anti-tick and/or pathogen-blocking vaccines. Relevant to this proposal, simultaneous profiling of the transcriptome and epigenome from the same cell will be critical for a better understanding of tick feeding biology.

F. Project Description Tick salivary glands are the site of pathogen development and the saliva is the route of transmission. Tick salivary glands secrete a complex saliva into their hosts which modulates vertebrate hemostasis, immunity, and tissue repair mechanisms, which facilitates the transmission of pathogens. Similarly, Borrelia burgdorferi, the pathogen causing Lyme disease, before colonizing the tick salivary gland and being transmitted to a vertebrate host, colonizes and survives for months in the midgut of Ixodes scapularis ticks. This micro-environment in the tick midgut plays key roles in stimulating growth, promoting survival, and altering gene expression leading to successful transmission. Understanding these relationships is key to understand mechanisms that lead to a successful transmission of the pathogen. The single cell/nuclei sequencing provides information about the transcriptome at single cell level, profiling tens of thousands of cells within a sample. This technology will be used to explore cellular heterogeneity, identify novel targets, and biomarkers of tick salivary glands and midgut during the feeding and upon infection with B. burgdorferi. This project will be performed in a collaboration between the Vector Biology Section (LMVR) and the Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit (LB). Studies will 1) investigate and characterize the expression at single cell/nuclei level in the midgut and salivary glands of I.

scapularis ticks at different timepoints in infected and uninfected nymph and adult ticks, and 2) investigate the “sialome switch” and how this is related to epigenetics in adult Ixodes scapularis ticks using groups of ticks based on blood feeding index. A comprehensive, scalable multiomic approach for simultaneously profiling epigenomic landscape and gene expression in the same single nuclei is needed for this project.

III. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (SELECT ONE) ☐ 41 USC 253(c)(1) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 1 : Only one responsible source ☐ 41 USC 501 a n d F A R P a r t 8 . 4 0 5 - 6 : Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), limited competition

☐ An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays

☐ Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; or

☐ In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

Important Note: The statutory authorities listed below will rarely ever be used in NIH. Before selecting one of these authorities, please ensure that you have read and understood the citation and discussed it with the cognizant Contracting Officer.

☐ 41 USC 253(c)(2) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 2 : Unusual & compelling urgency ☐ 41 USC 253(c)(3) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 3 : Industrial mobilization; or engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services ☐ 41 USC 253(c)(4) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 4 : International agreement ☐ 41 USC 253(c)(5) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 5 : Authorized or required by statute ☐ 41 USC 253(c)(6) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 6 : National security ☐ 41 USC 253(c)(7) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 7 : Public interest

IV. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

A. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s)

10x Genomics, Inc.

6230 Stoneridge Mall Road Pleasanton, California, 94588-3260 United States

B. Describe why only the requested supply/service will meet the government’s needs For this project, a comprehensive, scalable multiomic approach for simultaneously profiling epigenomic landscape and gene expression in the same single nuclei is needed. The Chromium Next GEM Single Cell Multiome + Gene Expression provides a comprehensive, scalable multiomic approach for simultaneously profiling epigenomic landscape and gene expression in the same single nuclei. The Chromium Next GEM Single Cell Multiome ATAC + Gene Expression (GEX) assay generates paired ATAC and GEX libraries from a single nuclei sample. The libraries can be sequenced and the data analyzed and visualized using Cell Ranger ARC and Loupe Cell Browser for assessing single cell gene expression and chromatin landscape.

C. Describe why only the proposed contractor is capable of providing the requested supply/service 10x Genomics, Inc. manufactures and distributes products needed for these analyzes.

V . Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The price is determined to be fair and reasonable based on (provide a narrative describing how the determination was made and the rational for the determination):

VI. Certification This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support my request (for the requestor) and approval (for the CO) of is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Requestor Certification

Dr. Lucas Tirloni Investigator, LB-TPTU

05/30/2023

Contracting Officer Approval