USDA-NCCCWA RNA Extraction and Sequencing Library of Rainbow Trout

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks RNA extraction and sequencing library services for rainbow trout samples, with quotations due August 20, 2026 and questions due August 18, 2026. This procurement is a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a $19 million size standard, issued as a combined synopsis and RFQ under FAR Part 12 for commercial items; no separate written solicitation will follow.

Place of performance is Kearneysville, West Virginia. The work comprises three line items: RNA extraction of 90 frozen whole-body tissue samples homogenized in Trizol; RNA-seq library preparation with poly-A selection and mRNA sequencing of 216 samples total (the 90 extracted samples plus 90 spleen tissue samples and 36 primary muscle cell culture samples); and return shipping of remaining RNA samples. All 216 samples will be provided frozen on dry ice within 90 days of contract award. Sequencing must use Illumina technology with paired-end reads of 2 × 150 nucleotides, minimum 40 million paired-end reads per sample with greater than 85 percent of bases at QC30; alternative platforms such as Oxford Nanopore are not acceptable. Extracted RNA must meet strict quality standards: minimum concentration greater than 50 ng/L, minimum volume greater than 100 microliter, A260/A280 ratio between 1.8 and 2.0, and RIN value greater than 7. Delivery of all sequencing data and a Final Project Report is required within 60 days of receipt of all samples. Period of performance runs August 31, 2026 through December 30, 2026. Award will be a firm fixed price purchase order. Evaluation uses lowest price technically acceptable criteria with consideration of past performance. Amendment 0001 (effective August 19) incorporates Attachment 2 (Vendor Questions and Answers) without changing other terms. Quoters must acknowledge receipt of the amendment prior to the quote deadline.