B--GRSM EASTERN HELLBENDER STEWARDSHIP DNA

The National Park Service has issued a firm-fixed-price contract, solicitation 140P5325Q0020, for genetic analysis and methodology development to support the conservation of eastern hellbenders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Set aside for small businesses under NAICS code 541620, the project involves sequencing environmental DNA from 95 water samples, analyzing the genomics of 96 tissue samples using 3RAD next generation sequencing, and adapting environmental RNA methods to detect larval hellbenders. These efforts support a Natural Resource Condition Assessment to evaluate population health, genetic bottlenecks, and reproductive activity. The period of performance runs from June 9, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with deliverables including presence/absence data, genetic relatedness analyses, and a peer-reviewed report on eRNA methodology. The contract is administered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Administrative Service Unit in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with invoicing processed electronically via the Invoice Processing Platform. Award selection is based on a best value trade-off considering technical capability, price, and past performance. Compliance requirements include adherence to the Service Contract Act and Department of Labor Wage Determination No. 2015-4667 for Monroe and Sevier counties. The government maintains sole authority for inspection and acceptance of all deliverables, which must be delivered FOB Destination to the park headquarters.