Inactive

The U.S. Department of Interior, US Geological Survey (USGS) is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resource... The U.S. Department of Interior, US Geological Survey (USGS) is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for the potential need for field-collected free embryos and larvae using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify pallid sturgeon free embryos and larvae following methods of Eichelberger and others (2014). Also, species identification shall be validated for a subset of specimens positively identified as pallid sturgeon from SNP analyses in Task 1 using microsatellite genotyping at 19 Loci as described by Schrey and others (2007). Microsatellite results shall be used to assign parentage of free embryo and larval specimens to known adults (previously genotyped) used in hatchery propagation efforts to produce experimental progeny for the live-release experiment as described by DeHaan and others (2008). Our mission is engaged in cooperative studies to aid in the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon. A large-scale study was conducted in 2019 using the live-release of about 1.0 million newly hatched, free-embryo pallid sturgeon in the Upper Missouri River within the Great Plains Management Unit, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Program. Free embryos were released downstream of Fort Peck Dam, Montana to study drift rates and dispersion processes through the Upper Missouri River downstream to the headwaters of Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota. Downstream drift of free embryo sturgeon was monitored using ichthyoplankton collection nets deployed by research watercraft at fixed locations various distances downstream. To accurately assess drift and dispersion processes, genetic analyses are necessary to separate pallid sturgeon free embryos and larvae collected in the experiment from other naturally occurring sympatric Acipenseriformes fishes including shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) and paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) and identify them to species. In addition, specimens identified as pallid sturgeon collected at fixed sampling stations must be assessed using genetic analyses to compare collected specimens to known adults (previously genotyped) used in hatchery propagation efforts to assess parentage. The accurate identification of pallid sturgeon larvae and assignment of individual specimens to specific known parents requires complex genetic procedures which include, but are not limited to: DNA isolation, DNA purification, DNA sequencing, microsatellite analysis, and amplification of microsatellite loci via the polymerase chain reaction, automated DNA sequencing, multi-locus genotype data generation, and genotype analysis. The analysis requires expertise and experience with pallid sturgeon genetics and hybridization with closely related species. The interpretation of the data requires a readily available standardized baseline data set to perform accurate identification, account for regional variability, and to assign parentage of individuals to known parents. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 541714. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. If your organization has the potential ability to meet this requirement, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, address, email address, Web site address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to 1) provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated; 2) secure and apply the full range of corporate financial, human capital, and technical resources required to successfully perform similar requirements; 3) implement a successful project management plan that includes: compliance with tight program schedules; cost containment; meeting and tracking performance; hiring and retention of key personnel and risk mitigation; and 4) provide services under a performance based service acquisition contract. BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION, and multiple awards MAY be made. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the above-listed services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by January 17, 2020. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to bwilson@usgs.gov. If you have any questions concerning this opportunity please contact: bwilson@usgs.gov.