B--IN - INDIANA ES FIELD OFFICE - BAT GENOMIC ASSESSM

The contract solicitation, numbered 140FS226Q0141, issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s SAT Team 2 under the Department of the Interior, seeks a contractor to conduct a genomic assessment of 200 to 400 Indiana bat tissue samples to support federal recovery efforts under the Endangered Species Act. The work, to be performed at the contractor’s lab from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, includes high-quality DNA extraction, RADseq library preparation, Illumina NovaSeq X Plus sequencing, and comprehensive bioinformatic analysis such as population structure, gene flow, genetic diversity, and genotype-environment associations. Deliverables include a manuscript-formatted genomic assessment report, raw FASTQ files archived in NCBI’s SRA, filtered VCFs and analysis scripts in Dryad or equivalent, monthly progress reports, and a DNA extraction and QC report due by December 31, 2026, with final deliverables due by December 31, 2027. All work must adhere to strict scientific standards including fluorometric quantification, TapeStation/Bioanalyzer integrity checks, minimum 15–20x sequencing depth, validated variant calling, and comprehensive metadata and checksum reporting. The solicitation is a firm-fixed-price contract evaluated based on a best-value trade-off analysis, where technical approach and technical experience are the most critical factors, outweighing price, and no Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) approach is used. Technical experience must demonstrate documented success in DNA extraction and sequencing of small wildlife samples using RADseq and in archiving analytical workflows following scientific best practices. Past performance is not required to be submitted by the offeror but may be assessed through government sources. Pricing must be submitted via SF 1449, though no specific cost data is provided as this is a solicitation. The Government retains inspection and acceptance authority at the destination, the Indiana Ecological Services Field Office, with FOB Destination terms transferring risk upon delivery. The contract includes mandatory clauses covering whistleblower protections, prohibited confidentiality agreements, equal opportunity, labor standards, trafficking prevention, paid sick leave, accelerated payments to small business subcontractors, and electronic fund transfers. Special requirements include a six-month option to extend performance, unique security prohibitions with a March 2026 deviation, a prohibition on discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion activities, mandatory record retention for up to three years after