R--SEAGRASS GENOME SEQUENCING

Sources Sought Notice PR0044050998 Seagrass Genome Sequencing Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing seagrass genome sequencing services in accordance with the attached Statement of Work. This Sources Sought Notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. This is not a Request for Quote. The Government is not obligated to issue a solicitation or award a contract as a result of this notice. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with responding. The applicable North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 – Testing Laboratories and Services, with a size standard of $19.0 million. The applicable Product Service Code is B529 – Special Studies/Analysis: Scientific Data. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet the requirement. Responses shall be submitted via email to Joel Berberena at [joel_berberena@ios.doi.gov] and must be received before the close date of this notice. Late responses or responses submitted by other than email will not be considered. Capability Statement Requirements: Interested vendors shall provide the following: 1. Description of laboratory capabilities for genome sequencing services. 2. Description of instrumentation, sequencing platforms, and analytical methods available to perform the attached Statement of Work. 3. Experience performing similar genome sequencing, plant genomics, transcriptomics, HiFi sequencing, Hi-C sequencing, Iso-Seq sequencing, or related scientific sequencing services. 4. Examples of similar work performed. 5. Description of quality control, quality assurance, and data delivery practices. 6. Company information, including business size, socioeconomic status, UEI, and SAM registration status. -- 1 of 5 -- 7. Identification of whether the work would be performed in-house or through subcontractors. The Government is seeking information on vendors capable of meeting the requirements in the attached Statement of Work. Responses will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy, including whether this requirement can be set aside for small business participation. Interested parties should only submit a response if they possess the technical capability, facilities, equipment, personnel, sequencing platforms, quality assurance processes, and experience necessary to perform the requirements identified in the attached Statement of Work. Responses that do not clearly demonstrate the respondent’s ability to perform the full requirement may be determined non-responsive for market research purposes and may not be considered in the Government’s acquisition planning. Vendors that cannot perform the required services, either directly or through a clearly identified teaming or subcontracting arrangement, should not submit a capability statement in response to this notice. The requisition identifies the requirement as PR0044050998, Seagrass Genome Sequencing, for the USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center. The attached Statement of Work contains the detailed technical requirements and deliverables. -- 2 of 5 -- PR0044050998 Seagrass Genome Sequencing Page 1 STATEMENT OF WORK Seagrass Genome Sequencing Services Brief Description The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center, requires genome sequencing services for seagrass tissue samples to support research on genomic diversity, clonality, and climate-resilient restoration of Enhalus acoroides and related seagrass species in Guam and surrounding Pacific islands. The contractor shall perform DNA and RNA extraction, sequencing library preparation, PacBio Revio HiFi and Iso-Seq sequencing, Arima Hi-C library preparation, Illumina sequencing, quality assurance checks, and electronic delivery of sequencing data and associated technical narratives. 1. Background The USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center is conducting research to assess genomic diversity and clonality in seagrass beds in Guam and surrounding Pacific islands for climate-resilient restoration. The research requires genomic and transcriptomic sequencing of marine seagrass plant tissues, including Enhalus spp. and Halodule spp., to support reference genome assembly, annotation, and analysis of genes associated with resilience to heat stress, disease, turbidity, and other environmental stressors. 2. Objective The objective of this requirement is to obtain laboratory-based genome sequencing services, including DNA and RNA extraction, sequencing library preparation, sequencing, quality assurance, and electronic delivery of sequence data and technical documentation to the USGS. 3. Scope The contractor shall provide all labor, facilities, equipment, materials, sequencing platforms, reagents, quality assurance procedures, technical expertise, data processing, and electronic data transfer necessary to perform genome sequencing services for USGS-provided seagrass tissue samples. The services shall include extraction of high-molecular-weight genomic DNA and high-quality RNA from flash- frozen seagrass leaves; preparation of HiFi, Arima Hi-C, and Iso-Seq libraries; sequencing using appropriate PacBio Revio and Illumina platforms; and delivery of sequence outputs and supporting narratives to the USGS. 4. Contractor Requirements • Receive up to 5 grams of flash-frozen seagrass leaf tissue from the USGS. • Perform genomic DNA extraction from submitted plant tissue, with up to two extraction attempts per sample as needed to obtain high-molecular-weight DNA. • Perform RNA extraction from submitted plant tissue, with up to two extraction attempts per sample as needed to obtain high-quality RNA. • Prepare high-fidelity long-read sequencing libraries from extracted genomic DNA. • Sequence…