A--High Throughput Compatible Gene Expression Profiling for Species of Ecotoxicolo

Pre-Solicitation Notice Solicitation 68HERC21R0032 High Throughput Compatible Gene Expression Profiling for Species of Ecotoxicological Relevance The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) has a requirement to obtain contractor support for evaluating treatment-related changes in gene expression in samples collected from animal or plant species of interest to EPA. Examples of available technologies that can provide these types of data include, but are not limited to, various targeted or untargeted RNA sequencing approaches, microarrays, and high-density PCR arrays. The EPA is interested in the contractor measuring multiplexed transcriptomic changes for up to 50,000 protein coding genes using purified RNA, cDNA libraries, or tissue lysates (where compatible with the technology) as inputs. The Contractor shall furnish all resources including the necessary personnel, quality assurance, material, equipment, services, and facilities to perform

the contract Statement of Work (SOW); to carry out the specific tasks identified in task orders; and to perform management functions including meetings with EPA representatives to review issues, problems, and performance. Requirements for deliverables, their delivery schedule, and their acceptance criteria will be specified in applicable task orders. Each task order shall be processed and data submitted to EPA within 120 days of receipt of samples, unless otherwise negotiated with the contractor in the individual task order. The Government anticipates award of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) firm fixed price (FFP) task order contract with an ordering period of five (5) years. The anticipated solicitation release date is January 2020 and the close date shall be approximately 30 days thereafter. It is anticipated that this requirement will be set-aside for Small Business. All responsible small business sources may submit a proposal for EPA consideration. The NAICS code is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences [except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology]) with a size standard of 1000 employees. As a reminder, small businesses are required to perform at least 50 percent of the costs of the contract performance with their own personnel (see FAR 52.219-14) under a procurement set aside for small businesses. Award will be made in accordance with FAR Part 15 ¿ Contracting by Negotiation, using a Best Value source selection approach, price and other factors considered, where all non-price criteria, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The successful contractor of any resultant contract will be expected to provide all necessary personnel, equipment, and services necessary to conduct the research activities delineated by the SOW. A draft SOW document shall accompany this Pre-solicitation Notice via separate attachment. Be advised that changes to any or all documentation is possible when the final solicitation is released. The point of contact is Pamela Kuykendall, Contract Specialist, at kuykendall.pamela@epa.gov. The solicitation 68HERC21R0032 will be available for downloading at FedConnect® located at the following internet address: www.fedconnect.net/. Questions relating to the solicitation are required to be submitted electronically through FedConnect®. ONLY those questions posted through FedConnect® will be accepted. All responses to questions will be released on FedConnect®. At this Internet site you will be able to register with FedConnect®, enabling you to download the solicitation once released, join the mailing list, and to submit questions. If you need technical assistance in registering or for any other FedConnect® function, call the FedConnect® Help Desk at (800) 899-6665 or email at support@fedconnect.net. Contractor registration in the Government¿s System for Award Management (SAM) is required in order to be eligible for contract award. Registration may be completed and information regarding the registration process may be obtained at http://www.sam.gov. Once issued, solicitation documents will be available electronically for download at https://www.fedconnect.net. Hard copies of the solicitation package will not be distributed. Electronic copies of responses will be required and must be submitted via FedConnect® (https://www.fedconnect.net).