DNA sequencing

The U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center seeks DNA sequencing of PCR amplicons, with quotations due June 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time. This is a Total Small Business Set Aside under NAICS code 541380 with a $19 million size standard.

Place of performance is Laurel, Maryland. The contract covers a one-year base period with four-year option periods. The government will provide indexed libraries ready for sequencing and requires deliverables within 60 days after receipt of samples. Offerors must demonstrate 15 or more years of experience in genomic amplicon sequencing, including prior work for federal laboratories, and must perform 100% of services in-house.

The preferred sequencing platform is Illumina NextSeq 1000 with 600 cycle cartridges. The government requires approximately 1 million paired-end reads per sample with a targeted quality score of at least 75% Q30 using 2x250 read configuration, with typical throughput of 384 samples per NextSeq P2 600 cycle cartridge run. The government will not accept alternative library preparation chemistries due to established investments in UDI indices, primers, and Pippin Preps equipment since 2022. Deliverables are demultiplexed FASTQ files via USGS-approved cloud service. The pricing structure specifies a fixed price per sample, with the base year comprising a minimum of 8 samples and maximum of 3,072 samples. The contract is Firm Fixed Price with units defined as "Jobs," where one job equals sequencing of 384 samples.

Offerors must be registered and active in SAM at time of award. Questions are due June 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Amendment 0001, effective June 26, extended the closing date and published all Q&A responses as Attachment 3. Evaluation factors include Technical Capability (3-page limit with Capabilities Statement addressing all Statement of Work requirements) and Past Performance (up to 3 similar contracts within the past 3 years). The anticipated award date is July 10, 2026.