Sole_Source_Justification-as_required_by_FAR_13_106-1b1-Redacted_1.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITION UNDER THE

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

PR: 0040670033

1. Contracting Agency and Activity. The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, plans to contract on a sole source basis. This document sets forth the justification and approval as required by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

2. Nature of Action Being Approved.

New Contract: The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) intends to contract on a sole source basis with Dinkins Biological Consulting to provide Tennessee Bean tissue collections to UMESC to facilitate genomic research.

3. Description of Supplies or Services.

The Tennessee Bean is a Critically Endangered and Federally Endangered freshwater mussel found only in Tennessee and Virginia. In particular, the Obed Wild and Scenic River (OBRI) provides a refuge for the species within the Emory River watershed and contains 25 river miles of federally designated critical habitat for the species. The Tennessee Bean, however, has exhibited marked declines within OBRI over the last twenty years and is now extremely difficult to detect.

Ongoing research is identifying potential sites for reintroduction or augmentation of Tennessee Bean in OBRI and hatcheries can now propagate this species successfully. However, in small populations, propagation efforts could lead to inbreeding depression if mussels with reduced genetic diversity at the same genes are paired. Genetic diversity screening of source populations is required to ensure that propagation efforts produce the most genetically diverse mussels possible. Examining genetic diversity among sites and rivers can also identify unique variation that can be maintained within a captive population, especially where populations are locally adapted to specific drainages or environments (e.g., river gorges).

UMESC requires tissue samples from the Tennessee Bean mussel to conduct the needed genetic diversity research. Collecting tissue samples safely from live endangered mussels requires experts with extensive experience working with freshwater mussels. Furthermore, the tissue collection requires knowledge of exact location of populations and with permits to handle this endangered species as well as to collect tissue samples.

4. Estimated Dollar Value. The total dollar value is .

5. Statutory Authority. The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – only one source reasonably available.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of Citation in No. 5.

The work requires a vendor that A) has experience collecting tissue samples from live mussels, B) has knowledge and experience with wild populations of Tennessee Bean, and C) has permits

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) considers employee signatures to be Personal Protected Information, and therefore all employee signatures have been redacted. By posting this document, the Contracting Officer attests all appropriate signatures have been obtained