This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12505B21Q0065 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05. The associated NAICS code is 541380, Testing Laboratories, with a small business size standard of $16.5 million and the PSC code is B529.

The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following services:

001) Soybean Genotyping Service

Scope of Work:

The UDSA-ARS Plant Genetics Research Unit in Columbia, MO is requesting quotes for the whole genome and user specific SNP genotyping of 1,000 soybean plant samples.

Background:

Modern soybean breeding requires large numbers of genetic markers, typically in the form of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). This is a genomic selection project, which requires whole genome coverage of at least 1,050 SNPs covering all major haplotype blocks of the twenty chromosomes of soybean. In addition, we have another 319 SNPs highly valuable to our studies which we need to obtain genotypic information.

Technical Requirements:

Service tasks include:

1. Receive lyophilized plant tissue samples from USDA-ARS. ARS will plan to ship samples before the end of June, 2021.
2. Perform DNA isolation, DNA quality control and normalization to permit downstream genotyping.
3. Perform all steps needed to accurately call (~≥90%) genotypes for at least 1,050 SNPs covering all major haplotype blocks of the 20 chromosomes of soybean, using 1,000 soybean plant samples provided by ARS. USDA-ARS can provide SNP positions or alternately an existing method can be used provided it meets our minimum requirements.
4. Design a new multiplex genotyping method to call 319 user-provided SNP positions. 
5. Perform all steps need to accurately call (~≥90%) genotypes for 319 user-provided SNP positions for 1,000 soybean samples provided by ARS. Quote must include all bioinformatic analyses – raw sequencing data (e.g. FASTQ files) are not acceptable on their own. If relevant, raw sequencing data is requested (but not required) in addition to genotypic data provided in either excel tabular format or hapmap file format.
6. Data must be provided in either hapmap or excel file format electronically submitted by email to [email protected] no later than August 31st, 2021 to permit breeding decisions. Data must be at least 90% complete on average in regard to each of the genotype x SNP combinations.

Government Furnished:

USDA-ARS researcher will provide 1,000 lyophilized soybean leaf tissue samples. The service provider is solely responsible for the entire service. The service provider will submit a report to end user at the end of the completion of the service.

Data Rights:

USDA-ARS will retain all rights to genotypic information for the 1,000 samples.

Key Deliverables:     

1. DNA isolation of 1,000 soybean plant samples.
2. Provide genotypic information for 1,000 soybean samples for at least 1,050 SNPs covering all major haplotype blocks across 20 chromosomes.
3. Develop and test 319 new SNP multiplex assays.
4. Provide genotypic information for the 319 new user-provided SNP positions, using 1,000 soybean samples.

Evaluation Factors:

1. Technical Requirements – Must meet all of the technical capabilities/features outlined in the “Technical Requirements” section of the solicitation with priority given to items 3-6 and items 1-4 outlines in the “Key Deliverables” section of the solicitation. Documentation attesting to the vendor’s ability meet these technical requirements is required to be submitted as part of their capabilities statement.
2. Price – The vendor with the lowest price quote that meets the stated technical requirements referenced in evaluation factor one (1) will receive the final award when quotes are requested.
3. Past Performance

Delivery: 

All genotypic data generated by the vendor will be submitted to the ARS by no later than August 31, 2021 through email to Jason Gillman at [email protected].

The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract.

Submitting a Quote:

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their DUNS# on their quote.

To be eligible, all vendors must also be registered in SAM under the specific NAICS code listed as part of this request for quote. If a prospective vendor is not registered under the specified NAICS code and would qualify to be registered under it then they must update their SAM registration prior to submitting a quote.

Finally, to be eligible, all vendors must be NDAA 889 Certified. If they do not currently have a NDAA 889 Certification, then they must complete the attached NDAA 889 Certification form and submit it to [email protected] so that they can be added to the list of NDAA 889 Certified vendors.

The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, vendors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting contract.  

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF-18 (see attached). The quote should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing on the SF-18 to [email protected] by no later than Monday, May 31, 2021 at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email and are due no later than 4:00 PM CST on Wednesday, May 26, 2020. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.