SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Caloric Restricted Rodent Colony
- Notice Date
- 7/1/2011
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 112990
— All Other Animal Production
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Mental Health, Contracts Management Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd, Rm 8154, MSC 9661, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-9661
- ZIP Code
- 20892-9661
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-RFP-11-152
- Archive Date
- 10/26/2011
- Point of Contact
- Mrs. Diane Loeb, Phone: 301 443-8886, Suzanne R Stinson, Phone: 301-443-4116
- E-Mail Address
-
DL294P@nih.gov, ss704b@nih.gov
(DL294P@nih.gov, ss704b@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) intends to recompete requirements currently being performed under NIA Contract HHSN260200400003C. This procurement is being competed under full and open competitive procedures under NAICS 112990. It is anticipated that a single indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type contract will be awarded for a 9-year period of performance beginning on or about February 5, 2012, with an anticipated level of effort of approximately 1.0 FTEs in year 1, 1.8 FTEs in year 2, 2.4 FTEs in year 3, 3.4 FTEs in each of years 4-7, 2.6 FTEs in year 8, and 1.5 FTEs year 9. This contract is proposed to develop, maintain and distribute a standing colony of aged, genetically defined and calorically laboratory rodents for use by investigators in studies of aging. This colony is to be developed and maintained within controlled and defined barrier environments where animals are monitored and characterized for disease status and markers of genetic purity. NIA funded research programs using rodents to model aging processes and age-related diseases in humans require animals of defined genotype and controlled environmental and health status. Only with the meticulous, long-term control of genetic and environmental variables is it possible to maintain animal models suitable for the study of biological and behavioral processes in aging. Caloric restriction, in which the calories are restricted to maintain a stable adult body weight but all other nutritional needs are met, is a proven intervention to extend lifespan and improve health. Calorically restricted rodents are used to investigate the cellular and physiological biology of normal aging. A colony of aged, calorically restricted laboratory rodents, of defined genetic backgrounds and health status, is an integral part of the NIA's program of research on aging. In 2004, NIA awarded a 9-year contract for the development and maintenance of a colony of caloric restricted rodents and this RFP is for development of a new contract to continue this resource. This will be a nine (9) year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) type contract under which the Contractor shall develop, maintain and distribute a standing colony of aged, caloric restricted rodents of NIA-specified genotypes for use by investigators in studies of aging. Although several different Task Orders will be issued, the expected duration of this colony is nine (9) years. During years 1 through 2, animals shall be entered into the colony, but few animals shall be removed from the colony except for the purposes of monitoring health and genetic purity. However, if the need should arise, animals may be distributed from the colony at anytime at the direction of the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). During years 3 through 7, animals shall continue to be entered into the colony and animals shall be distributed to investigators. This should be a period of stable operation with young animals entering the colony at approximately the same rate as older animals leave the colony due to distribution and normal attrition. The final two year period, years 8 and 9, will serve as the colony close-out period. Animals shall be maintained and disbursed, but entry of animals shall cease at the beginning of year 8 or when entries begin in a renewal contract colony. Thus the population in this contract colony will decline over the last two year period to a point of near zero or very few animals at the end of year nine.   The colony population at the end of each year of the nine year period should be approximately as follows: YEAR 1 400 YEAR 4 2800 YEAR 7 2800 YEAR 2 1600 YEAR 5 2800 YEAR 8 1600 YEAR 3 2800 YEAR 6 2800 YEAR 9 Near 0 This animal colony shall be divided into two, approximately equal, separate segments. Each segment shall be maintained behind a totally independent barrier, specific pathogen- and parasite free, for the entire contract period. Both segments shall specifically be helicobacter-negative. The purpose of colony division is to insure the survival of at least one half of the colony in the event of pathologic breach of a barrier, mechanical failure of environmental maintenance systems, or accidental disaster such as fire, or flood. Total independence of colony segments therefore means separation of buildings, power systems and back-up systems, environmental controls (heat, air conditioning, and air filtration) and breeding stock. Each barrier shall have an independent back-up generator and alarm system in case of loss of power. The Contractor shall acquire foundation stock for two inbred strains of mice from a stock center identified by the COTR and shall re-derive the stock by caesarian section or embryo transfer under barrier conditions. After re-derivation, testing to confirm genetic purity and SPF health status shall be performed on the foundation colony, and breeding colonies will be established for the two inbred strains and one derivative hybrid strain. Rats will be entered into the aging colony at levels defined in the contract Statement of Work (SOW), currently a total of 1260 animals/year. The Contractor shall provide discrete production space for each colony segment within the barrier or isolation area for that segment. This space shall be defined within each unit, and the animals held therein until the scheduled removal or expiration of the animals. Facilities set aside for these colonies shall be provided with all equipment, materials, and supplies necessary to maintain these animals effectively within the barrier enclosure in a stable condition and environment. Since this is an aging colony, the Contractor must be prepared to house the animals for up to 3-4 years. Animals shall be provided with sterilized laboratory animal feed, the formulation of which is consistent with NIH31 (Rader et al., 1986, J. Nutrition 116:1777-88) diet with regard to ingredients, both in kind and amount. Caloric restricted animals shall be fed the prescribed daily food amount once per day. The following items shall be controlled within the ranges specified: temperature (72-79oF), humidity (40-70%), light cycles (12/12 hours), air circulation (0.25m/hr/animal) and filtration (HEPA), and water chlorination and acidification (water shall be chlorinated and the pH controlled so as to not exceed pH 7.3 and 7-8 PPM chlorination at discharge end). A maximum of 25% re-circulated air within the barrier is allowed. Current ILAR (http://www.nap.edu/books/0309053773/html/index.html) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm) for breeding, care and maintenance of laboratory rats shall apply where specifications have not been detailed. Animals shall be monitored weekly for signs of fighting or morbidity. Semi-annual genetic monitoring of the breeding colonies and quarterly health monitoring of the aging colonies shall be performed and reported to the COTR as well as be included in the semi-annual progress reports. Genetic monitoring shall be accomplished by a panel of microsatellite markers that distinguish the inbred strains. Health monitoring shall include external exams for parasites, microbiology, serology, and histology. The Contractor shall ship the animals to investigators upon authorization from the COTR, providing secure shipping crates, food and water sources, and climate-controlled transport. Shipment via dedicated, climate-controlled truck is the preferred method. The Contractor shall invoice customers for the cost of the animals (determined by the COTR) and all shipping costs, and apply the remittance to the cost of the contract. The Contractor shall account for all received funds on the monthly invoices. The Contractor shall weekly provide an inventory of the aging colony in a format approved by the COTR. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the agency. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. Contracting Office Address: NIMH/NIA Contracts Management Branch NIDA Neuroscience COAC 6001 Executive Blvd, Rm 8154, MSC 9661 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9661
- Web Link
-
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- Record
- SN02488243-W 20110703/110701234510-b5bb5910d5878dbb0267611f1b059f4f (fbodaily.com)
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