THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Under the authority of FAR 13.106, the USDA ARS intends to award, on a sole source basis, a Firm Fixed Purchase Order (PO) to Brigham Young University (BYU), a-285 ASB Campus Drive, Provo, UT 84602-1231. For continuity of required services & research data, this order will attain additional BYU Services for Genome Sequencing using PacBio Sequel in support of the ongoing research at USDA ARS, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, (FRRL), Logan, UT.

The Firm Fixed PO will include the following:

1. BYU SERVICES: GENOMIC DNA SEQUENCING WHICH INCLUDES:

• SMRT cell for v3 cells; approximately 62+ cells for this project.
• Isolating very high MW genomic DNA and then shearing it to 60kb on BYU Megaruptor.
• Libraries will be constructed using the PacBio SMRTbell Express Template Prep kit and then purified on a blue-pippin size selection gel using pulsed field gel electrophoresis.
• DNA sizing will be checked using a fragment anlayzer and or pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

2. BYU DATA ANALYSIS REPORTS & DELIVERY

USDA ARS, FRRL research has an essential requirement for genome sequencing of hexaploid hard fescue using a new version 3.0 of the PacBio Sequel platform, which gives sequence reads at an average of 40kb and is sequenced on ‘SMRT' cells. In this process, FRRL requires ultra-pure PacBio sequel v3.0 DNA library preparation with additional purification, size selection above 40kb, sequencing of up to 60 SMRT cells with the version 3.0 Sequel chemistry, and guaranteed sequencing of 13 Gb of high-quality sequence per SMRT cell.

FRRL sequencing requires ultra-pure DNA that is high molecular weight - in order to provide long reads in excess of 30Gb. The BYU DNASC is the only PacBio vendor with expertise in DNA purification and high length and quality sequencing that provides this. They alone conduct an internal DNA purification method to ensure pure high molecular weight DNA. Although other vendors do conduct PacBio Sequencing, none conduct the essential additional purifications to FRRL's DNA as part of their library construction nor guarantee FRRL at least 13Gb per SMRT cell. BYU DNASC is the only one.

Along with FAR Part 12 & FAR Subpart 13.106 procedures, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETTIVE QUOTES; a determination, by the Government, not to compete this proposed order/contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties who believe they possess the capability to satisfy this requirement should submit documentation that clearly demonstrates their capability. The Government will consider all responses received by 10:30AM PST, MARCH 06, 2019. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the Primary Point of Contact: [email protected].

THE AWARD DATE WILL BE ON OR ABOUT MARCH 07, 2019, and again, this Notice of Intent is not considered as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored

Bid Protests Not Available