Genetic Modification of Orange Tissues

Quotes are due on 08 May 2008 at 1500 CST.





Objective



To produce within an 18 month window mature Valencia and Hamlin orange tissue germplasm transformed (genetically modified) to express an array of genes designed to impede growth of pathogenic bacteria specifically to provide demonstrated resistance to the Citrus Greening pathogen present in Florida commercial citrus groves.



Qualifications



At minimum a qualified scientific laboratory will meet the following qualifications:



- Experience at transformation of a variety of plant hosts with suitable freedom-to-operate for engineering technologies for Citrus species

o Development of transformation technologies of physiologically mature Citrus

- Demonstrated ability to manipulate genes with antimicrobial properties:

o Suitable freedom-to-operate a variety of genes with demonstrated antimicrobial activities

o Demonstration of experience and data that quantify parameters of antimicrobial efficacy of system

o Ability to test and identify high resistance to Citrus Greening pathogen in Citrus hosts

- Facilities suitable for Select Agent research and regulatory permits in place for experimentation with Citrus Greening pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus

Background



The United States Department of Agriculture - Center for Plant Health Science & Technology (CPHST), is the scientific support agency of the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine division. Plant Protection and Quarantine is responsible for safeguarding American agriculture from exotic pests and diseases and to provide response to incursions by eradication or containment.



The high consequence exotic Citrus Greening pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, was discovered in Florida 2005 and is now established throughout the major citrus growing regions of the state. Through the Citrus Health Response Plan, CPHST leads the effort to limit spread of this pathogen within Florida and to other citrus growing states where the pathogen is not present.



There is no known source of viable resistance in Citrus species to Citrus Greening, and pesticides to the pathogen or to its psyllid vector is not effective in disease prevention. Citrus growing regions that have high prevalence of Citrus Greening become unproductive after a few years and this is anticipated to occur in Florida as disease prevalence increases. The future viability of the Florida citrus industry is dependent on finding a suitable means of production in the presence of the Citrus Greening Pathogen. It is imperative that a durable means of growing citrus that remains productive long enough for sustainable harvest be found. At this time, the development of resistant citrus germplasm through genetic engineering provides the most likely means of achieving this goal.



Objective



To produce within an 18 month window mature Valencia and Hamlin orange tissue germplasm transformed (genetically modified) to express an array of genes designed to impede growth of pathogenic bacteria specifically to provide demonstrated resistance to the Citrus Greening pathogen present in Florida commercial citrus groves.



Qualifications



At minimum a qualified scientific laboratory will meet the following qualifications:



- Experience at transformation of a variety of plant hosts with suitable freedom-to-operate for engineering technologies for Citrus species

o Development of transformation technologies of physiologically mature Citrus

- Demonstrated ability to manipulate genes with antimicrobial properties:

o Suitable freedom-to-operate a variety of genes with demonstrated antimicrobial activities

o Demonstration of experience and data that quantify parameters of antimicrobial efficacy of system

o Ability to test and identify high resistance to Citrus Greening pathogen in Citrus hosts

- Facilities suitable for Select Agent research and regulatory permits in place for experimentation with Citrus Greening pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus



Solicitation Availability



The solicitation should be available on or about 24 April 2008 with an estimated proposal due date 20 days after solicitation posting.

The United States Department of Agriculture - Center for Plant Health Science & Technology (CPHST) is seeking laboratories capable of producing within 18 months mature orange tissue transformed to express an array of genes designed to impede growth of pathogenic bacteria specifically to provide demonstrated resistance to the Citrus Greening pathogen present in Florida commercial citrus groves.



Facilities must have, or be able to readily attain, Select Agent research and regulatory permits for experimentation with Citrus Greening pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus and have a demonstrated ability to manipulate genes with antimicrobial properties.



Acquisition strategy has not been determined but will be established, in part, to the responses received from this notice.



A pre-solicitation notice should be available on or about 17 April 2008 with an anticipated solicitation available approximately 10 days after posting of the pre-solicitation notice. This time frame is variable depending on industry response and the needs of the Government.