An Isothermal Assay for detection of feral swine from water

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. Reference#: Req 1041699. Wildlife Services (WL) intends to award a firm fixed price sole source Purchase Agreement under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), only one source being available to meet the Government's needs, to: Jonah Ventures 5485 Conestoga Ct Boulder, CO 80301 This vendor is the only one that houses a database specific to wildlife and plants that will identify target species in the diet of invasive species (pigs). Further the assay they use is unique to them and the application to wildlife is unique. No other company was found that has authorized third-party service providers. The objective of this sole source award is to procure services for DNA barcoding with CRISPR adaptation of feral fecal samples as it is currently beyond our capabilities in our lab. We are also seeking to develop a dipstick technology (LAMP assay with LFA) for detection of feral swine environmental DNA in water. The USDA APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Genetic Project request the following be acquired using a noncompetitive procurement in support of program mission requirements. This is the Statement of Work (SOW) to develop an isothermal assay for detection of feral swine from water. APHIS National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) has developed a qPCR and ddPCR based assay for detection of feral swine from water samples and our goals would be to move this assay to a dipstick like technology where biologists could quickly stick it into water and rapidly receive a positive or negative result. Jonah Ventures uniquely works in development of novel technology for application to wildlife surveys. Jonah Ventures has assessed the assay we have developed could be converted to an isothermal assay, which is the first step in development of a field-based dipstick technology. We will now test the limit of detection of the lateral flow analysis in the field to determine it's efficacy for field use. We will also test a new method for feral swine diet detection from fecal samples. We have used a metabarcoding approach with primers designed to detect Eukaryotic diet items but the primary DNA sequences contained are pig (98%). Jonah Ventures tested using CRISPR/Cas technology to cut out pig DNA and we want to run about 200 samples previously run with the other method to compare diet diversity measures from the samples. If the new methods significantly increases our detection of diet diversity then it will allow us to better quantify impacts of feral swine to endangered pieces and species of concern. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive (i.e. non-brand name) procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management and technical data and cost information, in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to perform the required work and are able to provide valid certification to provide service. Capability statements shall not exceed 6 (8.5 x 11 inch) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source purchase order. Capability statements are due by 5:00 Local Time, August 11, 2021. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: Latisha.a.hollman@usda.gov. The email subject line shall state, - Req 1041699, Special Notice. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS/OFFERS WILL BE HONORED The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541380; the business size standard is $15.0.