MERHAB- DCMF METABARCODING AND QPCR

The U.S. Geological Survey’s California Water Science Center is soliciting commercial laboratory services under a Total Small Business Set-Aside for cyanobacteria DNA analysis, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and amplicon metabarcoding techniques. The solicitation, numbered 140G0326Q0123 and titled MERHAB-DCMF METABARCODING AND QPCR, is issued under FAR Part 12 as a commercial items procurement and is restricted to small businesses as defined by the NAICS code 541380 with a size standard of $19.0 million. The contract requires the performance of 30 DNA extractions, 50 samples of 16S V4 and 30 samples of 18S V7 and V4 metabarcoding, 50 samples each for mcyE and cpcB qPCR, and 30 samples each for mcyE and cpcB ddPCR, all to be completed at the contractor’s laboratory by September 30, 2027. Data must be delivered in XLS, CSV, or TXT formats, with optional PDF or PPT summaries, and bioinformatic code for metabarcoding must be provided in a text file. Chains-of-custody documentation is mandatory for all operations. Submission of quotes is due electronically by May 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time to elizabeth_adam@ios.doi.gov, and hardcopy or web portal submissions will not be accepted. Offerors must provide a signed SF-18, a firm fixed-price quote, a detailed technical description including a work plan, CVs, and references, and a valid SAM Unique Entity Identifier. The evaluation is a tradeoff process prioritizing past performance and experience combined over price, with non-negotiable pass/fail gates requiring the laboratory leader to hold a PhD in cyanobacterial ecology, the laboratory to demonstrate expertise in molecular methods related to cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, and verifiable experience analyzing samples from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The contract includes compliance with Service Contract Labor Standards Wage Determinations, prohibitions on the use of covered telecommunications equipment and drones from foreign entities, OFAC restrictions, and adherence to whistleblower and confidentiality protections as outlined in incorporated FAR clauses. Payment must be processed through the Treasury’s