RNA Sequencing

The USDA-ARS Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit in Manhattan, KS is seeking quotes for library preparation and sequencing for 192 samples, which will be purchased pending the availability of funding. Library preparation should include polyA purification, cDNA synthesis, shearing/fragmentation, size selection, barcoding using a unique multiplexing indexing (UMI) strategy to reduce barcode hopping, pooling, and library validation prior to sequencing. Library preparation methods must be able to accommodate total RNA inputs of 2 g. Targeted sequencing depth for this project approximately 20 million read pairs per sample from the Illumina NovaSeq platform with 150 x 150 bp paired end reads. Deliverables should be raw fastq files. No bioinformatics support for read cleaning, read mapping, assembly, or analysis is required. The 192 samples will be submitted for library preparation and sequencing as two separate batches: 1) a batch of 120 total RNA samples (mRNA + rRNA) of Tribolium castaneum antennae and 2) a batch of 72 total RNA samples of larval, pupal, and adult life stages from various species of stored product insects. Fastq files containing sequencing data should be provided to the end user within 2 months of receiving each batch of samples and sequencing providers should allow a timeline of up to one year after the initiation of the contract for the submission of the three sample batches.

This action is a Total Small-Business Set Aside.  The NAICS code for this action is 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology).  Size standard of 1000 employees applies.

All interested vendors (prime contractors & subcontractors) should register at www.fedbizopps.gov so that others will know of your interest in participating in this procurement. A Bidder's List WILL NOT be prepared nor distributed by the Contracting Officer, as it is the Offeror's responsibility to register at the FedBizOpps website. Vendors are advised that they are responsible for obtaining ALL solicitation documents and acknowledging any amendments, and should re-visit the FBO website periodically to check for any modifications to this notice, updates, or amendments without further notice from the USDA. Prospective contractors shall be registered in the System for Award Management database at http://www.sam.gov.

Address ALL questions in WRITING to the issuing office via email to [email protected]. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

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