Intend to Award as Sole Source

SOLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (SOLE OR SINGLE SOURCE) . . In accordance with the authority granted under FAR Part 13, this request for a noncompetitive acquisition is hereby submitted for consideration for acquisition approval. 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Requesting Agency: USDA, APHIS, WS NWRC 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 Contracting Activity: USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD Minneapolis Procurement Branch Butler Square, Fifth Floor 100 North 6 Street Minneapolis, MN 55403 2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED: We are requesting High Density ingle Nucleotide f. plymorphism services provided by GeneSeek, a Neogen Company. GeneSeek has emerged as a leader in the field of agricultural and animal sciences genomics. Their large market share allows them to provide full service genotyping (acceptance of genetic samples, DNA extraction, and genotype quantification) at a substantial (53%) discount over what their competitors can only offer the materials (SNP genotyping chips)for genotyping. Further, GeneSeek has become the industry standard for genotyping. Therefore, it is prudent to use GeneSeek's proprietary SNP chip for our genotyping needs so that our results can be compared with other datasets established by collaborators within USDA and elsewhere. 3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS): We are requesting high density SNP genotyping services employing GeneSeek's proprietary 70K (70,000+ genetic markers) GGP HD SNP chip. Vendor Name & Address: GeneSeek, A Neogen Company 4131 N 48th St. Lincoln, NE 68504 USA Website: http://www.neogen.com/ Genomics/ Contact & Phone Number: (402) 435-0665 Ben Pejsar Product Manager [email protected] 4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS: (This is a joint effort that requires collaboration between the program manager and the contracting activity) For example - This may include authorizing legislation, which designates a specific program and acquisition requirement or a specific contractor or cooperator as the intended recipient of project work to be contracted out. Patent rights, or copyrights, prevent other sources from competing, and require proof NOTE: All justification and factual information must be consistent and precisely related to the cited exception and authorities. 5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED: GeneSeek offers high density SNP genotyping at a rate far lower than we have found elsewhere. High resolution genotypic data is essential for us to address questions related to the introduction history, patterns of invasion, and origins of feral swine throughout the United States. 6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE, PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES: 7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FORTHAT DETERMINATION: This section shall be completed by the procuring official. 8. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (FAR PART 10) AND THE RESULTS, OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT PERFORMED: GeneSeek offers the service of high density SNP genotyping using a proprietary array of genetic markers (70K GGP HD SNP chip). GeneSeek's proprietary chip is developed by another, fully independent company (lllumina). Jllumina distributes an alternative high density SNP genotyping chip that offers 60K as opposed to 70K of their own selected genetic markers. GeneSeek services a large portion of the agricultural and animal sciences genomics industry (servicing the beef, dairy, canine, equine, sheep, swine and numerous other row crops and fruit industries). The tremendously large volume of samples processed by GeneSeek in servicing the agricultural sector allows them to depress prices. Specifically, they can offer their 70K chip at a lower rate than Jllumina can offer their 60K chip. I have consulted with our local lllumina sales representative, Todd Deppe, as we use a number of Jllumina products in the Wildlife Genetics program at NWRC. His assessment was that GeneSeek could offer full genotyping services with their 70K chip at a substantial cost savings over the cost of purchasing lllumina's 60K chip ($90/sample) directly through Jllumina. Further, we have begun collaborating with USDA Agricultural Research Services to compare genetic patterns among feral swine to those found among domestic pig breeds so that we may determine the breed composition and origins of feral swine populations. Given that the array of genetic markers used in GeneSeek's 70K GGP HD SNP chip is proprietary, we will need to genotype feral swine with GeneSeek's genotyping array for comparisons to be feasible between our feral swine dataset and AR 's domestic pig dataset. By using a common genotyping platform, this collaborative research will facilitate both USDA mission areas. Please contact Dr. Tim Smyser as a subject matter expert if a firm other than GeneSeek is awarded the contract for high density genotyping to ensure the resolution provided are adequate to address identified management/research questions. Contact information is listed below: Biologist, Wildlife Genetics National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521 (970) 266-6365 (office) (765) 586-5890 (cell) [email protected] 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION - FAR 6.303-2(a)(9): Our market research has indicated that the tremendous volume of samples processed by GeneSeek has allowed them to reduce prices well below similar services that are offered by their competitors (Illumina). Further, we have explored other options for custom SNP genotyping and deemed the initial investment required for startup to be cost prohibitive. 10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON: No other companies have expressed interest at this time. 11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY. THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED: (This is a joint effort that requires collaboration between the program manager and the contracting activity) 12. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF. Latisha Hollman