Low-Pass Sequencing of Cotton Accessions - College Station TX

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks low-pass whole-genome sequencing of approximately 576 cotton accessions from the U.S. National Cotton Germplasm Collection, with quotations due August 26. This is an unrestricted RFQ issued as a combined synopsis/solicitation under FAR Part 12 for commercial items; no separate written solicitation will be issued.

Place of performance is College Station, Texas. The contractor must receive and inventory genomic DNA samples, perform quality-control assessments, prepare sequencing libraries using the Revvity NEXTFLEX HT Whole Genome Sequencing library preparation system, sequence samples on a Nova Seq X platform with paired-end reads at approximately 6.5 average genome coverage per accession, conduct standard sequencing quality-control procedures, and deliver raw sequencing data files, quality reports, and sample manifests electronically. Delivery is required 60 days after award. The contractor must hold pricing firm for 90 calendar days from receipt date and furnish a Certificate of Conformance per FAR 52.246-15.

NAICS code is 541714, Research and Development in Biotechnology; PSC is B504, Special Studies/Analysis–Chemical/Biological. Small business size standard is 1,000 employees. The Government will make one firm fixed-price purchase order award to the lowest technically acceptable offeror. Technical acceptability evaluation requires demonstration of experience supporting agricultural genomics and large-scale sequencing projects of similar scope and complexity, with direct communication capability between project personnel and sequencing staff. Questions must be submitted via email to shane.pope@usda.gov no later than two business days prior to solicitation closing. Service Contract Act wage determinations apply to this geographic area (Brazos and Robertson counties, Texas), effective August 6, 2026.