This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area Office is issuing this sources sought notice as a means of conducting market research to identify any potential sources capable of providing NeoGen GGP Porcine 50k Array Genotyping for the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC).  The USMARC swine research herd has been genotyped using the NeoGen GGP Porcine 50K array for the past 5 years. As all of our genomics studies continue to build on previous data, the animals we wish to genotype now are direct descendants of animals we have genotyped in the past. To utilize both the phenotypes (traits) and genetic information across generations, animals need to be genotyped for the same set of markers (SNP). The only way we can collect genotypic information on the exact same group of markers is to continue to have our animals genotyped with the NeoGen GGP Porcine 50K array. Without using the same genotyping array, we would either need to subset our data which will greatly reduce the power of our analyses, or utilize imputation methods which adds noise into the genotypic data and reduces the power of our study.  The intent will be to award a sole source contract to Neogen Corp, outside documented proof that there are viable competitive options available.

This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the USDA to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

In response to this sources sought, please provide:

1. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solution solutions. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.

2. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, SAM uei number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.