This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation or commitment by the Government, nor is it a Request for Quote (RFQ) at this time. Responses to this Notice must be in writing.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to conduct market research to determine, in particular, the capability of Small Business firms to provide the supplies/services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name; (b) address; (c) point of contact; (d) phone, fax and email; (e ) DUNS Number; (f) Cage Code; (g) socioeconomic category (i.e., small business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, etc.); (h) a technical/capability statement as well as your existing customers (i) any GSA Schedule numbers and expiration dates and (j) if you accept credit cards.

ARS will accept responses from all socioeconomic categories in order to gain a more complete understanding of the market for these services.

The USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center has a requirement for the Genotyping of blood samples with the return of data in order to study the genomics of feed efficiency in pigs and cattle.  The service provider will be required to apply DNA samples to the BeadChip, read the BeadChip and then assess quality of the results.  If the results are of acceptable quality, the service provider will put the results into a file and allow USMARC scientists to download the information where they will also assess the quality of the data.  The BeadChip used will vary based on the amount of genetic markers required and animal type being tested.  For continuity of research reasons, the following BeadChips must be used:
1.  Neogen GGP Porcine 50K
2.  Neogen GGP Bovine 50K
3.  Neogen GGP Bovine 250K
Vendors who believe they can provide this service are to contact Daniel Kinney via email at [email protected] providing him with the aforementioned vendor information and capability statement prior to the closing date of this notice, 03/13/2019 at 12:00pm CST.