Genotyping

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks high-throughput genotyping by sequencing (GBS) of 19 Carinata genotypes, with quotations due August 12 and questions due August 5. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a firm-fixed-price award to a single vendor.

Place of performance is Maricopa, Arizona. The contractor must perform next-generation genotyping of 1,824 brassica carinata leaf DNA samples across 19 plates using library preparation with ApeKI restriction enzyme digestion, sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq X or similar platform with 2 x 150bp read length, and bioinformatic analysis including SNP calling via TASSEL v5.0 GBS v2 pipeline or alternative, with alignment to the Brassica carinata genome. All samples must be processed in a single batch. The guaranteed turnaround time is 60 days from DNA sample receipt. The contractor must demonstrate specialized experience with all aspects of DNA sequencing. Performance period is August 24 through December 23, 2026. The NAICS code is 541714 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

Quotations must be submitted electronically to frank.palmer@usda.gov and must remain valid for at least 60 days after receipt. Delivery is FOB Destination to 21881 North Cardon Lane, Maricopa, Arizona 85138. All prospective offerors must be actively registered in SAM.gov at submission and award. Payment will be made through the Treasury Invoice Processing Platform following contractor enrollment. Evaluation emphasizes Lowest Price Technically Acceptable, rating Technical Acceptability (acceptable or unacceptable based on demonstrated capability), Past Performance (acceptable, neutral, or unacceptable), and Price (fairness and reasonableness). Adequate documentation of the offeror's ability to perform is required; failure to provide it results in technical unacceptability and elimination. The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference and addresses commercial items, small business utilization, employment compliance, and anti-discrimination certifications.