NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE AXIOM myDESIGN SCREENING GENOTYPING ARRAY SERVICE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, WBSC, Stoneville, Mississippi, intends to award a sole source procurement to Affymetrix, 3420 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051 for Axiom myDesign Genotyping Array Services for the purpose of catfish genetics research. The complete purchase will include: 1) Axiom myDesign Services Non-Human Custom 96; which includes producing the genotyping arrays, performing the genotyping service on each individual fish, and providing genotype data to WARU. The ARS/Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit (WARU) will provide DNA sequence information that will be used to produce Axiom myDesign Genotyping Arrays that can interrogate 700,000-800,000 specific locations (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) or insertions/deletions) in the channel catfish genome. Arrays will be provided within 6 weeks of the mask order. Arrays will contain candidate SNP loci with neighboring SNP loci that are as close as 20 bases from the candidate. WARU will supply genomic DNA from 288 individual fish and the vendor will produce the genotyping arrays, perform the genotyping service on each individual fish, and provide genotype data to WARU. The Axiom myDesign genotyping array utilizes photolithography to "build" DNA sequence probes that are allele specific - the probes are synthesized in situ on the genotyping array. The array can interrogate variable sequence sites such as single nucleotide polymorphic loci (SNP), insertions, and deletions. The Axiom technology can guarantee 100% identical SNP content with every order, and can screen 700,000 to 800,000 SNPs in each array. The use of photolithographic synthesis of probes on the array permits access to all designed SNPs on every array. The Axiom assay guarantees inclusion of all candidate SNPs with a neighboring SNP variant as close as 20 bases from the candidate SNP. Re-orders of Axiom myDesign arrays can be delivered in 4 weeks for as few as 192 samples. Affymetrix has been identified as the sole provider of the Axiom myDesign Genotyping Array and is the only known vendor that can produce this type of specified service using Axiom myDesign Genotyping Arrays. Pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The equipment will be located at the ARS/Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit (WARU), Stoneville, MS. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on or about August 26, 2015. This Notice of Intent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 4:00PM Central Standard Time, August 25, 2015. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address: Contracting Office Address: USDA-ARS-WBSC Shalunda Mix 141 Experiment Station Road Stoneville, MS. 38776-0225