Reagents for Ames, IA
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is seeking quotations for Reagents compatible with the Rhapsody high-throughput (HT) microwell system for its facility in Ames, IA. This Request for Quotation (RFQ) aims to procure reagents for simultaneous single-nuclei sequencing (whole transcriptome) and single-nuclei ATAC-seq, specifically for multiplexing porcine samples. This is an unrestricted requirement, open to all responsible sources.
Scope of Work
The contractor shall provide reagents and kits compatible with the Rhapsody Scanner and HT-Express System (up to 8 lanes), utilizing BD Rhapsody microwell-based cartridge technology. These reagents must support both whole transcriptome analysis (WTA) and ATAC-seq assays, capable of multiplexing nuclei samples and processing a wide range of cells/nuclei (hundreds to approximately 500,000) on one cartridge.
Required items and quantities include:
- BD Rhapsody Enhanced Cartridge Reagent Kit v3 – Qty 2
- Rhapsody ATAC-Seq Tagmentation Kit – Qty 2
- Rhapsody cDNA Kit – Qty 2
- ATAC-seq Multiomics Amplification Kit – Qty 1
- Whole Transcriptome Analysis Kit – Qty 1
Contract Details
- Type: Request for Quotation (RFQ) leading to a Firm-Fixed-Price contract.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted (not set-aside for small business concerns).
- NAICS Code: 325413 (Small Business Size Standard: 1250 employees).
- Place of Performance/Delivery: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Bldg 24, Ames, IA 50010.
- Delivery: Within 15 business days of award date, with early deliveries accepted.
Submission & Evaluation
Contractors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive. The award will be made based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria.
- Evaluation Factors:
- Price: Evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. Quantity price discounts and prompt payment discounts should be included.
- Technical Acceptability: Products must meet or exceed all salient characteristics specified in the solicitation (Attachment 2) and include sufficient descriptive literature.
- Past Performance: May be evaluated using references, USDA data, and CPARS.
- Quotes must remain firm for 90 calendar days.
Key Dates & Contact
- Questions Due: March 15, 2026, 12:00 PM Pacific Time.
- Quotations Due: March 21, 2026, 2:00 PM CDT.
- Primary Contact: Brian Fien, brian.fien@usda.gov, 510-955-2760.