SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- SERDP ER-1498(b) SUSTAINABLE RANGE MANAGEMENT OF RDX AND TNT BY PHYTOREMEDIATION WITH ENGINEERED PLANTS
- Notice Date
- 8/16/2010
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- USACE HEC, Ft. Belvoir, ATTN: CEHEC-CT, 7701 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22315-3860
- ZIP Code
- 22315-3860
- Solicitation Number
- W912HQ-SN-10-0007
- Archive Date
- 11/14/2010
- Point of Contact
- Eileen Spears, 703-428-6384
- E-Mail Address
-
USACE HEC, Ft. Belvoir
(eileen.m.spears@usace.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to award a sole source cost type Research and Development contract to University of Washington as a follow-on to contract W912HQ-06-C-0052. The description of the requirement is as follows: The SERDP Program Office is purchasing R&D services to further the understanding of sustainable range management of RDX and TNT by phytoremediation with engineered plants. Aligned with this purpose, the main objective of this project is to engineer transgenic grasses to contain and degrade RDX in the root zone of explosives-contaminated soil. The expression in plants of a novel RDX-degrading cytochrome P450 gene, XplA, an enzyme known to degrade RDX to harmless metabolites, will be investigated. Since munitions often consist of both RDX and TNT, it is necessary to engineer resistance to TNT, as this explosive is highly toxic to plant systems. The work to date has shown that transgenic grasses expressing XplA can successfully remove RDX from explosives contaminated soil, thus demonstrating proof-of-principle with regard to the potential use of these grasses for remediating RDX on ranges. It has been determined that a follow up study is needed to develop and characterize optimal transgenic plant lines for use in the field. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541712. Specific objectives for the follow-on work that will be conducted by the University of Washington include the following: Objective 1: RDX Degradation by Transgenic Western Wheatgrass Lines As transformation techniques for creeping bentgrass are well established, we are using it as a platform perennial grass system from which to develop transgenic wheatgrass lines. Significant progress has now been made towards engineering western and slender wheatgrasses for RDX phytoremediation; an optimal induction and propagation system of embryogenic callus has been developed using biolistic methods, and the subsequent regeneration of transgenic western wheatgrass lines from callus cultures has now been firmly established (Figure 1), although the ratio of regeneration from embryogenic callus is low, which is an obstacle for successful transformation of this species. The transformation and regeneration efficiency for western wheatgrass, therefore, needs to be improved to produce higher numbers of transgenic lines for screening and selection. To overcome the problem of regeneration efficiency we will test a variety of formulae and treatments. Objective 2: Engineer Transgenic Wheatgrass to Degrade RDX and Detoxify TNT Transgenic grass cultivars that provide resilience, rapid establishment and good coverage will be developed for use on live-fire training ranges. Tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress and good tiller and rhizome development after disturbance are desirable traits. Because of this, Western, Siberian and slender wheatgrasses will be used as they meet these requirements and have good root growth and other traits promoting resilience to military activities. A mixture of species has proven to provide a greater chance of establishment following seeding. Objective 3: Validation Greenhouse Studies of New Grasses The capability of the new grasses will be validated through a series of greenhouse studies where factors such as soil structure, composition and nutrient levels can be controlled to optimize the system for maximal update and detoxification. Objective 4: Engineer Biocontainment of Transgenes To achieve regulatory and end-user acceptance of transgenic grasses, the University of Washington will investigate means to engineer biocontainment of transgenes via pollen and seeds. Transmission of transgene by pollen is particularly problematic because of the abundant and easily dispersed pollen produced by grasses. NOTE: The work being accomplished here by University of Washington is in conjunction with the University of York. University of York is the lead performer with the University of Washington being the co-performer. The efforts are not duplicated. The efforts are laid out in their corresponding proposals as to which performer is responsible for which tasks. As the University of York is a foreign entity, the research work required from the University of Washington is funded directly in lieu of being funding through University of York, thus avoiding the foreign exchange rate. This is a special notice prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), whereas it is necessary to maintain an essential research or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution for the developmental work calling for the practical application of investigative findings and theories of a scientific or technical nature in the case of the follow-on for the continued provision of highly specialized services. However, any firm that believes it can meet this requirement may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 15 days from the date of publication of this announcement. Supporting evidence must be in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirement. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government to compete the proposed procurement based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will proceed with awarding a cost contract to the University of Washington. Point of Contact for this requirement is Eileen Spears at 703-428-6384 or Eileen.M.Spears@usace.army.mil, 7701 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22315.
- Web Link
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA72/W912HQ-SN-10-0007/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02241721-W 20100818/100816234717-f66ef8bfa88912c36d64a5d8bc264580 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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