B529--Research Study Services and Support - RNA Sequencing
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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the Regional Procurement Office (RPO) - East, has issued a Pre-Solicitation Notice indicating its intent to award a sole source contract to New York Genome Center, Inc. for RNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis Services. These services are crucial for a VA Merit award study under Dr. Fatemeh Haghighi, Ph.D., at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC). Responses from interested parties are due by April 15, 2026.
Purpose & Background
This notice is for a sole source procurement to obtain genetic assays (RNA-seq) for the VA Merit-funded project "Identifying DNA Methylation Alterations of Chronic Effects Of Blast and Disturbed Sleep." The project aims to analyze RNA expression in 466 human blood samples from individuals with chronic blast exposure to understand gene expression abnormalities associated with mild blast-related Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and identify potential biomarkers. The services require ultra-high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using Illumina Inc. technology.
Scope of Work
The contractor will perform whole genome transcription sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) for 466 total blood samples. Key tasks include:
- Quality Control (QC): Perform Bioanalyzer QC on delivered RNA samples (RIN value >= 6).
- Library Preparation: Use KAPA TOTAL with a minimum of 2ug total, DNase-treated RNA.
- Sequencing: Conduct total RNA sequencing using Illumina Sequencing technology via a paired-end method.
- Bioinformatics Analysis: Provide initial analysis including alignment of reads to the human genome (STAR aligner), quality control (RSeQC, Picard), gene quantification (featureCounts), gene annotation (Gencode), normalization (DESeq2), differential expression (DESeq2), and transcript quantification (Kallisto).
- Deliverables: Raw data and initial bioinformatics analysis results.
Key Requirements & Justification for Sole Source
The intent to award a sole source contract is based on three critical requirements:
- Capability: The contractor must be fully capable of performing all outlined tasks.
- Proximity: The facility must be located within a 1-hour driving radius of the JJPVAMC in New York. This is due to the extreme temperature sensitivity (-80°C on dry ice) and irreplaceable nature of the human blood samples, requiring direct delivery by VA personnel to maintain integrity and chain of custody.
- Data Integration: The same laboratory/genome facility used for a previous contract (36C24E18C007) is required to ensure data correlation and prevent batch effects, which are essential for the scientific validity of the study.
The authority for this action is FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source).
Contract Details & Response Information
- Contract Type: Sole Source (Pre-Solicitation Notice)
- NAICS Code: 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanotechnology))
- PSC Code: B529 (Scientific Data Studies)
- Response Due: April 15, 2026, 11:59 AM Eastern Time
- Contact: Ms. Millicent Covert, Contracting Officer, via email at millicent.covert@va.gov.
- Note: This is not a solicitation. Interested parties who believe they can meet all requirements may contact the Contracting Officer. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement is solely at the Contracting Officer's discretion.