DNA Sequencing Service

The National Institutes of Health, through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is issuing a Small Business Sources Sought notice for solicitation PCA-NIEHS-00080 to identify capable providers for an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract. The requirement is for DNA sequencing services and associated bioinformatics support, primarily utilizing Sanger sequencing with a smaller volume of high-throughput whole-plasmid sequencing. The estimated workload is between 2,000 and 3,000 samples per month, including yeast colonies, plasmid DNA, and PCR-generated samples from human and rodent species. The intended period of performance is five years from the date of award, with a potential six-month extension per FAR 52.217-8. The selected contractor must provide a web-based ordering and tracking system, all necessary sample collection and shipping materials, and a reliable transportation method for samples from the NIEHS campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Key technical requirements include maintaining a Phred-equivalent quality score greater than 20 for sequencing and ensuring successful PCR amplification produces a single DNA band of the expected size. The contractor is responsible for preserving remaining DNA for at least 180 days and returning unused primers to the government. Administrative requirements include submitting invoices within ten business days of the billing cycle and maintaining strict confidentiality of all sequencing data. This notice is specifically targeting small business concerns, including 8(a), SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB designations. Interested parties must submit a capability statement of no more than seven pages, including their UEI, TIN, and business size certification, to Luz Casey by November 12, 2026.