Intent to award to a single source - novogene

INTENT TO AWARD TO A SINGLE SOURCE

NOAA's NMFS, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratories, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Novagene.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC) is a government agency charged with the mission of stewardship for living marine resources.  Researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center will use DNA sequencing in a variety of ways to better understand and manage fish stocks. DNA sequencing will be used for continuing assessment of genetic population structure of Alaska groundfish such as sablefish, Pacific cod, and pollock, and rockfish. This work will require whole genome resequencing, which will be used to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs provide information that will be used to understand genetic population structure in commercially managed fish species. Whole genome sequencing can provide millions of SNPs. Our DNA sequencing projects do not require any DNA extractions or library prep (those will be done in-house). Whole genome resequencing will require paired-end sequencing (DNA is bi-directional, and paired end sequencing provides sequence data from both directions), abbreviated PE 150.  The sequencing platform (machine) needed is the NovaSeq 6000 platform with an S4 flowcell.

The objective of the resulting award to Novagene is to prepare acquiring DNA sequencing for pre-prepared DNA libraries and library quality control preparations. The Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform is required for paired-end DNA sequencing. Library quality control is required for each sequencing library.

Sequencing cannot be completed in house because we do not have the equipment and it is prohibitively expensive (millions of dollars). We are therefore setting up a contract to receive high-throughput DNA sequencing as a service. Our goal is to obtain sequence data for important assessed species to inform management of these species. In other words, we are leveraging sequence data to investigate stock structure of important species such as cod, sablefish and rockfish, which will provide information to aid in their management. A critical component of the NMFS mission is to aid in the management of commercially harvested fish and this sequencing contract will help us accomplish this mission.

Tasks include conduct quality control on 50 whole genome resequencing libraries and sequence these libraries on 16 full lanes of Novaseq 6000 S4 sequencing.

Award is intended to Novagene due to compatibility requirements to existing systems or equipment – The required service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function), and this vendor source is uniquely qualified to meet our requirement. Novogene has performed sequencing services for our group in the past that are part of ongoing genetics projects, and analysis from one set of samples to the next must be processed in exactly the same manner for scientifically valid comparative results. For this reason, service results from any other company cannot be used for this sequencing project. Additionally, Novogene has a proven record of quality service that is integral to our ongoing sequencing project. Novogene has provided reliable and timely service and excellent customer support.

Award for this requirement will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. Anticipated value will be under the Simplified acquisition procedures with an estimated value of less than $150,000.00. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy these requirement. 

Questions regarding this notification can be emailed to the attention of Heather Mahle at heather.mahle@noaa.gov.   Subject line should include reference number ABL-21021.