B--EDNA METABARCODING ANALYSIS

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of a qualified business that can provide eDNA metabarcoding analysis. The analysis will be performed on 80 environmental DNA (eDNA) samples collected from the Yakima River in central Washington. The contractor will be responsible for DNA extraction, PCR amplification and library preparation, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics processing and taxonomic assignment, and reporting. The goal of the research is to compare two collection methods against results obtained with electrofishing of the same locations. Key aspects of the job include: • DNA extraction from 80 MCE filters • PCR amplification and library preparation using universal fish primers and custom lamprey primers • Next-generation sequencing using platforms determined by the contractor • Bioinformatics processing and taxonomic assignment of sequences • Reporting of results in a written report and Excel spreadsheet