THIS IS A Request for Information announcement only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Animal Genomics and Improvement Lab (AGIL) requires flow cells and reagents for the PromethION DNA/RNA Sequencer to provide single molecule sequencing based on electric signaling. The PromethION instrument permits 24 concurrent sequencing runs in 24 individually addressable flow cells. This technology also permits on-board conversion of electronic signals to DNA sequences. This technology provides flexibility in number of samples and length and amount of DNA sequence collected, so that individual flow cells can be stored and reused. This technology is capable of producing very long DNA sequences (>100,000 bases) and has the flexibility of providing DNA sequence with a flexible time of throughput depending on the operator’s needs. Each flow call can produce > 100Gb of DNA sequence data, thus providing sequence at 0.000000013 cents per base which is very cost efficient.

As part of its market research, USDA ARS is issuing this RFI notice to determine if there exist an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this RFI for information and planning purposes. This RFI is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. No Request For Quote (RFQ) exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the RFQ. Responses to this RFI are not quotes on which USDA ARS can issue any contract. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFQ. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. All information received in response to this RFI notice marked ""Proprietary"" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. USDA ARS will not pay for information received in response to this Request. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request. Please send responses with the subject heading: PromethION DNA/RNA Sequencer to [email protected] by 09/10/2021.