Notice of Intent to Sole Source Research Related to Recombinant Virus Vectors for Screening Gene Silencing Nucleic Acids in Phragmites australis

The Environmental Laboratory (EL) of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has a requirement to screen a large set of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs), and trans-acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs) on a sole source basis from Iowa State University of Science and Technology (CAGE Code: 3D8T2).  Rapid screening of these candidate gene silencing agents (GSAs) requires the development and optimization of recombinant plant virus vectors. Here we solicit virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-based approach for screening GSAs specifically designed for the invasive common reed Phragmites australis.  The overall objective is to develop VIGS vectors to rapidly assess candidate genes for lethal effects in Phragmites when they are silenced.  The Foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV), Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV), Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Common reed chlorotic stripe virus (CRCSV) will be required for use in this research.  The selected vendor must furnish these viruses and must have technologies and expertise in the generation of infectious virus clones, introduction of infectious clones by agro-infiltration and agro-injection methods, and optimization of VIGS approaches for different plant species.  Due to USDA APHIS regulations on movement of genetically engineered plant viruses and the necessity for the vendor to acquire the abovementioned viruses within three months of contract award, Iowa State University of Science and Technology is the only vendor with the known capability to perform these services .

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement.  The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each. 

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.  Verbal communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission.