Genome Sequencing

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks genome sequencing services for 82 cattle across four research projects, with proposals due August 6, 2026. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a $19 million size standard, and the solicitation is issued as a combined synopsis and RFQ under FAR Part 12. Amendment 0001, posted August 3, extended the quotes due date from August 5 to August 6 and superseded the Performance Work Statement and QASP attachment.

Place of performance is the NEA Animal Genomics and Improvement facility at 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland. The contractor shall provide long-read DNA sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences platforms on healthy domestic cattle (BSL-1) across four projects: an immuno-diverse Holstein pangenome (45 cattle), dairy breed-specific pangenomes (five animals each from Jersey, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Ayrshire, and Milking Shorthorn breeds), DNA methylation profiling across 15 tissues in six Holstein dairy cows (three high and three low efficiency), and complete genome assembly with DNA methylation profiling for six Angus cattle (three grass-fed and three grain-fed). Data requirements include minimum read depths of 60 to 180 gigabases with minimum read N50 lengths of 20 to 150 kilobases depending on project. The contractor must deliver raw data files (pod5 and bam formats) and processed data (fastq format) within 12 weeks of sample receipt and submit biweekly progress reports.

The period of performance is August 17, 2026 through August 16, 2027, firm fixed price. Samples are shipped frozen at government expense; the USDA will not ship samples outside the United States. Payment is in arrears via the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform on a monthly cycle. Evaluation uses lowest-price-technically-acceptable criteria weighing technical acceptability, past performance, and price. One award is intended. The NAICS code is 541380 (Testing Laboratories); PSC is B529 (Special Studies/Analysis—Scientific Data). Service Contract Labor Standards apply.