DNA Sequencing

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Otis Molecular Laboratory in Buzzard Bay, MA has a requirement for DNA sequencing service of insect, fungus, and pathogen DNA. The lab/organization shall implement Standard Operating Procedures as well as quality control at every step of the process to ensure that results are reliable and repeatable. The facility should be equipped with a high-quality DNA sequencing instrument.

Purified DNA samples along with relevant primers will be prepared at the Otis Laboratory. The sequencing facility must be equipped to process sample submissions prepared either in 96-well PCR plates or in snap-cap microcentrifuge tubes. Additionally, we require a facility that is able to receive submissions that are shipped overnight at room temperature. Samples will only be shipped Monday-Thursday, allowing for samples to arrive at the facility during a weekday. Upon arrival at the sequencing facility, we require that samples be processed and results be provided within approximately 24 hours (on business days only) due to the processing of important regulatory samples. The length of DNA reads should range between 700-1000 base pairs. There must be an option to specify the location of different DNA templates in regards to the wells of a 96-well PCR plate as well as the specific primer to be used with the DNA template. Furthermore, it is necessary that the online submission form allows for ample character length for naming samples/DNA template-up to 24 characters-that accommodates the sample naming systems adopted at the Otis Molecular Laboratory.

We are seeking interested sources from small-business concerns that are capable of providing this service. The USDA intends to award one 5 year IDIQ contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 Testing Laboratories with a small business size standard of $15 million.

This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested small-business concerns prior to issuing a solicitation.

A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you are an interested small-business concern, please provide the following information:
1) Small business name and point of contact;
2) DUNS number and CAGE code;
3) Evidence of small-business concern status; and
4) A brief Statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above.

Electronic responses are preferred. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses are due no later than 2 p.m., Central Standard Time, on June 17th, 2019 to the attention of Kim Yen Tu, Contracting Officer, via e-mail to kimyen.n.tu@usda.gov. Questions will be responded to by EMAIL ONLY, until June 17, 2019. Phone calls will not be accepted.

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