Notice of intent to sole source: DATA2BIO LLC

The USDA ARS - WBSC intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed Purchase Order (PO) to Data2Bio (D2B), LLC, 1111 WOI Road 2052 Roy Y Carver Co-Lab, Ames, IA 50011-1085. This order will attain purchase a Data2bio Services: DNA Extraction & GBS Analysis for lettuce samples, project management, data analysis report and delivery in support of the ongoing research at USDA ARS, Crop Improvement & Protection Research Unit (CIPRU), Salinas, CA.

The Firm Fixed PO will include the following:

1. DATA2BIO SERVICES: DNA EXTRACTION & GBS ANALYSIS OF CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED FREEZE-DRIED TISSUE SAMPLES, WHICH INCLUDES:

* Conduct 2-BP TBGS® genotyping-by-sequencing analysis of 524 diversity panel samples (wild varieties and established cultivars) of lettuce (2.5 gb)

* Data Analysis:
-- QC & trimming
-- Alignment to reference genome
-- SNP calls/SNP-typing of each line

2. DATA2BIO PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DATA ANALYSIS REPORTS & DELIVERY

USDA ARS, CIPRU research has an essential requirement to maintain the continuity of their ongoing research & analyses for genotyping their lettuce samples. As a result, Data2Bio (D2B) previously perform genotyping on 600 lettuce cultivars provided by the Location; and now the Location research requires to have "tunable Genotyping-By-Sequencing" (tGBS) analysis performed on 524 lettuce varieties for studies of abiotic stress tolerance. The tGBS service includes DNA extraction, genotyping using proprietary tGBS approach, and preliminary data analysis. tGBS analysis is a proprietary genotyping developed and used only by D2B.

D2B developed an improved genotyping approach that is based on a larger number of reads (tGBS). Hence, the method produces much smaller error rate, less missing data across lines, high confidence of SNP calls, and what is very important for our analysis, it can confidently genotype heterozygous loci. This method also yields data that are much easier to analyze and do not require computers for big data analysis. Compared to conventional GBS analysis tGBS is more stringent leading to more reproducible results. Also, the final analysis of data is easier, faster, and cheaper than with the conventional GBS analysis, leading to substantial savings (details are in Plant Genome, 2015, vol. 8, p. 1-10). Most importantly, tGBS can identify heterozygous loci, while GBS cannot.

Pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

The award date will be on or about December 18, 2018; and this Notice of Intent is not considered as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination, by the Government, to compete this proposed PO based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 09:30AM PST, December 17, 2018. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the Primary Point of Contact: Washingtoni.NLN@ars.usda.gov.

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