Notice of Intent to Sole Source – High-Throughput Sequencing Bee Sample Analysis

This is a notice of intent to sole source an acquisition under RFO part 12. This requirement is for High-Throughput Sequencing Bee Sample Analysis for the Bee Research Laboratory (BRL) with the Agriculture Research Service. Pursuant to RFO 12.102(a), only one responsible source is available; the Government currently intends to award a contract to Azenta Life Sciences for high-throughput sequencing services to analyze bee samples collected across the United States.

As the national leader in honeybee health research, BRL plays a critical role in diagnosing the causes of colony decline and developing science-based strategies to reduce losses. In response to severe mortality events across multiple regions each year, BRL scientists collected thousands of bee samples from the affected regions that now require comprehensive molecular analysis.

Sequencing these samples is vital for detecting emerging pathogens, characterizing interactions among parasites, viruses, and environmental stressors, and identifying biomarkers that may explain the unusually high levels of mortality, allowing timely and prompt responses to address these losses and protect the agricultural system that depends on honeybee pollination.

Findings will inform stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers nationwide, providing an evidence-based foundation for mitigating further colony losses and safeguarding U.S. food security. This special notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive quotes. However, vendors may submit capability statements to the identified Point of Contact which will be considered by the agency. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted.

Responsible sources capable of providing the required services may identify their interest and technical capability to this requirement. The Government will not reimburse firms for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition is 541380 – Testing Laboratories and Services with a small business size standard of $19.

All responses must be submitted to the Government by email at anthony.salas@usda.gov and shall be considered by the Agency. All responses must be submitted by 11:00 am Mountain Time on September 19, 2026. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.