Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract for DNA Sequencing Identifying Invasive Forest Pathogens

Notice of Proposed Contract Action (NOPCA). THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. This is not a solicitation or request for offers. Only a single responsible source and no other contractors will satisfy agency requirements.

The USDA Forest Service (FS), Procurement & Property Services (PPS), Special Projects Operations Center (SPOC), Northwest Branch is issuing this synopsis as a means of complying with the USDA’s policy in the Contracting Desk Book, SUBPART 413.3—SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION METHODS. The Forest Service notice is intended to award a single source to Psomagen INC. for the total purchase of Sanger DNA Sequencing of 2,300 samples, Whole Genome Sequencing of 2 samples, and 11 FTA Cards Processing.

These requirements will be delivered to 70220 East Highway 26 Corvallis, Oregon 97331. PSC – B599 – Special Studies/Analysis-Other NAICS – 541714 – Research and Development in Biotechnology Size Standard – 1,000 Employees Project Location: This project is located at: Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory, 70220 East Highway 26 Corvallis, Oregon 97331. This is requirement is for Sanger DNA Sequencing of 2,300 samples, Whole Genome Sequencing of 2 samples, and 11 FTA Cards Processing.

Our research on molecular diagnostics, metabarcoding/metagenomics, phylogenetics/phylogenomics, population genetics/genomics of endemic/invasive/emerging forest pathogens, and other host/microbe species requires services that provide diverse, accurate, and precise DNA/RNA sequencing services (whole genome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, transcriptome sequencing) and FTA cards processing.

This purchase will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1) For purchase not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (it) Contracting Officers may solicit form one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only single source reasonably available.

There is no reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from other vendors that can meet all of the technical abilities of this requirement. The Government intends to make an award in February of 2024 timeframe. Interested parties may identify their interests and capabilities to respond to this requirement to the Contracting Specialist, Brandon Erpelding, Email: brandon.erpelding@usda.gov; within 7 calendar days of this publication.

Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government Dr. Jerome Watkins, not to compete this proposed award upon response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided.