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THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory (IBBL) is conducting market research for sources who are an authorized dealer, authorized distributor, or authorized reseller capable of providing a standalone instrument and software to perform quality control (QC) of DNA and RNA samples from diverse organisms brand name or equal to the 4200 TapeStation System. The QC instrument can be used for DNA or RNA quantification in routine experiments and library preparation to investigate genome composition and/or gene expression using Next-Generation Sequencing. In addition, the QC instrument will improve the sequencing data consistency due to quantification accuracy and streamlined operation.

*See attached Specification Sheet for additional information*

As part of its market research, USDA ARS is issuing this Sources Sought to determine if there exist an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this Sources Sought for information and planning purposes.

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. No Request For Quote (RFQ) exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the RFQ.

Responses to this Sources Sought are not quotes on which USDA ARS can issue any contract. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute a RFQ. The Government does not intend to award a contract or BPAs based only on responses to this Sources Sought.

All information received in response to this Sources Sought marked "Proprietary" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response.

Responses to the Sources Sought will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought. USDA ARS will not pay for information received in response to this Sources Sought.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Sources Sought.

Please send responses with the subject heading QC Instrument System Brand Name or Equal to 4200 Tapestation System to Dilynn Rogers email address: dilynn.rogers@usda.gov by Tuesday June 13th noon EST.