SOURCES_SOUGHT_NOTICE_DOIGFBO250009_1.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Department of Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Sources Sought # DOIGFBO250009

The Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), is conducting a MARKET SURVEY to determine the interest and capability of any firm eligible to compete under NAICS code 541620 for an upcoming requirement needed by the USGS – Kansas Water Science Center for analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding and fecal source tracking via quantitative PCR (qPCR) in accordance with the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) shown below.

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ALL COST ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION

AS REQUESTED BY THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF

THE CONTRACTOR. Submission is voluntary.

Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Introduction – The Department of the Interior (DOI) United States Geological Survey (USGS) Kansas Water Science Center (KS WSC), 1217 Biltmore Drive, LAWRENCE KS 66049 USA, requires services for analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding and fecal source tracking via quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Background – The USGS is conducting a study focused on a comprehensive assessment of macroinvertebrate communities as integrated indicators of overall Johnson County, KS stream health. The results from this assessment will be compared with similar data collected during 2003 through 2010. Availability of current macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding and fecal source tracking via qPCR will help identify stream locations least and most affected by environmental stressors and habitat factors that may be affecting those conditions. The USGS will collect eDNA samples to be analyzed for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding and fecal source tracking samples via qPCR at 6 different stream locations in Johnson County, KS.

For quality-control purposes, eDNA samples to be analyzed for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding will be collected in triplicate with a field blank sample at each stream location. Additionally, there will be at least one replicate collected during the fecal source tracking samples analyzed via qPCR.

All samples will be collected between February and April 2025, resulting in an estimated 24 eDNA samples to be analyzed for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding (triplicate samples and one blank collected at 6 stream locations) and 7 eDNA samples to be analyzed for fecal source trackers via qPCR (6 samples and one replicate). eDNA samples to be analyzed for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding will be collected and filtered in the field using a Smith-Root eDNA sampler following the methods described in Laramie and others, 2015. eDNA samples to be analyzed for fecal source trackers via qPCR will be collected, filtered, and preserved in the field using laboratory-supplied sample collection kits.

The analytical laboratory will quantify the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community assemblage using metabarcoding of eDNA. Additionally, the analytical laboratory will search the water samples and quantify eDNA associated with fecal matter for the following species: E. coli, human, dog, swine, sheep, poultry, bovine, goose, and deer. The project has potential to collect additional samples depending on findings, scope, and continuation of funding.

Definitions/Applicable documents – USGS Environmental DNA sampling protocol - filtering water to capture DNA from aquatic organisms (https://doi.org/10.3133/tm2A13).

Scope – Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor, travel, supervision, and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for analysis of eDNA samples for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding and fecal source tracking via quantitative qPCR for E. coli, human, dog, swine, sheep, poultry, bovine, goose, and deer.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

Technical Requirements:

Task 1 The contractor must receive and monitor samples to the following quality standards:

Chains-of-custody for all laboratory operations, and analyses for each sample, will be fully documented.

Samples can be received by the Contractor Monday through Friday.

The contractor will report sample receipt records to the client.

Task 2 The contractor must analyze samples to the following quality standards:

Task 2.1 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall perform analysis of eDNA samples for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding conducted by a trained expert analyst who has experience with benthic macroinvertebrate communities in Kansas using the most current references, keys, and publications.

The organisms shall be identified to the lowest practical level, generally family or genus level, which should be sufficient for bioassessment purposes.

The contractor shall provide 10-point quality control, full bioinformatics, and 1-year storage of raw data.

All data entry should be double checked for accuracy and validated by the laboratory manager.

Anticipated number of samples submitted for Task 2.1:

o 24 eDNA samples to be analyzed for macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding (triplicate samples and one blank collected at 6 stream locations).

Task 2.2 When ordered by the Government, the contractor shall perform fecal source tracking analysis of eDNA samples via quantitative qPCR for E. coli, human, dog, swine, sheep, poultry, bovine, goose, and deer. Fecal source tracking shall be conducted by a trained expert analyst.

The contracted laboratory shall provide the eDNA sampling kit, including a barcoded sample cup, desiccant, syringe, and filter. The filter will be preserved and shipped back to the contracted laboratory after collection.

The contracted laboratory shall extract and analyze the eDNA to quantify the number of copies of mitochondrial DNA from potential hosts (E. coli, human, dog, swine, sheep, poultry, bovine, goose, and deer) using qPCR.

Anticipated number of samples submitted for Task 2.2:

o 7 eDNA samples to be analyzed for fecal source trackers via qPCR (6 samples and one replicate).

Deliverables: The contractor shall submit all results electronically. These deliverables shall include:

Results of macroinvertebrate community assemblages via metabarcoding electronically.

Full qPCR report that includes detections of each of the host organisms (E. coli, human, dog, swine, sheep, poultry, bovine, goose, and deer), detailed methods, and 5-point standard curve.

The contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with its proposal and adhere to the QCP when performing the services. A chain of custody for each sample shall be maintained and documented.

I. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

1. Place of Performance – Location of Contractor’s facility.

2. Periods of Performance: 02/10/2025 through 02/09/2030 (estimated)

3. Government Furnished Property (GFP) – N/A

4. Special Considerations. – N/A

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The contractor is responsible for laboratory quality control (QC) and shall adhere to its QC Plan.

The Government is responsible for quality assurance (QA) and will monitor the contractor’s performance to assure that the performance quality standards and time standards are met or exceeded by the contractor for the PWS tasks by taking the following efforts:

Task 1 Sample Reception. The Technical Liaison (TL) will review the data for completeness and ensure all required deliverables are provided in acceptable digital formats.

Task 2 Sample Analysis- The Technical Liaison (TL) may submit blind samples, including the analysis of replicates, and will evaluate their consistency using known published analytical results. Replicate data and lab QC data will be compiled into a Lab Evaluation Plan that will be updated biennially after initial compilation (usually within first 1-2 years depending on volume of submitted samples). Should it be deemed necessary, a USGS scientist will be permitted to visit the laboratory facility to view the materials handling and measurement workflow of the contracting lab.

(End of Draft PWS)

For market research purposes only, the USGS is investigating interested contractors that can demonstrate capabilities to meet or exceed the above details in Draft PWS. A finalized PWS will be provided with any future solicitation that may be issued for this requirement.

Responses to this announcement are requested from (1) Small Businesses (SB); (2) Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB); (3) Section 8(a) Businesses; (4) Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB); (5) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB); (6) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses; (7) Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; (8) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB); and (9) Large Businesses.

In response to this announcement, please indicate your firm's socioeconomic status (e.g. small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned, HUBZone, etc.) This information will assist the Government in determining how small businesses can fit into the acquisition strategy.

The small business size standard under NAICS code 541620 is $19 Million. Any information submitted is voluntary. If sufficient interest and capability is not received from firms in categories (1) through (8) above, any solicitation may be issued as unrestricted to Large Businesses without further consideration.

Interested business firms shall submit (1) NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER OF THE FIRM (including DUNS NUMBER); (2) a CAPABILITY STATEMENT including (a) RECENT (within the last three fiscal years) RELEVANT (similar projects to this requirement) performance history (identify the name of the owner and their point(s) of contact with telephone and fax numbers, email addresses; and (b) in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor, etc) they performed the work; and (3) their SIZE STATUS.

Your company must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) https://www.sam.gov. All responses shall be received no later than December 19, 2024 by 1700 (EST) via e-mail to:

jharris@usgs.gov.

This is NOT a Request for Quote (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on SAM.gov (https://www.sam.gov) website and no paper copies will be provided.