MODIFICATION
A -- Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Calorically Restricted Rodent Colony
- Notice Date
- 11/10/2011
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- 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
- HHSNIHNIDA(AG)-RDSS-12-164
- Archive Date
- 11/29/2011
- Point of Contact
- Mrs. Diane Loeb, Phone: 301 443-8886, Yvette Brown, Phone: 301 443-2696
- E-Mail Address
-
DL294P@nih.gov, Yvette.Brown@nih.gov
(DL294P@nih.gov, Yvette.Brown@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Research and Development (R&D) Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential R&D requirement. Small Businesses are encouraged to respond. BACKGROUND: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) funded research programs using rodents to model aging processes and age-related diseases of 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. A continuous supply of genetically defined, well characterized inbred and hybrid laboratory animals is essential for a program of research on aging. In 2004, NIA awarded a nine year contract to develop and maintain a colony of genetically- defined calorically-restricted rat and mouse strains. Since contract initiation, the Contractor has acquired breeding stock for two inbred strains of mice and two inbred strains of rats, re-derived the stock and provided NIA with documentation of the cesarean derivation and genetic history of the foundation stock for the aging colony. The breeding and aging colonies have been developed for one inbred mouse strain, one hybrid mouse strain, one inbred rat strain and one hybrid rat strain, and animals have been distributed to the research community as requested. Presently, the contractor maintains a colony of approximately 3,000 rodents housed in two barriers. The purpose of this acquisition is to continue services that are currently being provided by the Charles River Laboratories under contract number HHSN260200400003C until the renewal contract colony is fully developed and all ages are available to the research community. Breeding in contract number HHSN260200400003C will cease when the renewal contract colony begins entering into the aging colony, but the aging colony in contract number HHSN260200400003C will be maintained and provided to the research community as requested until the animals are gone or the termination date of this contract is reached, whichever comes first. In addition, the analysis of shipping patterns will provide valuable information to the NIA for managing this resource and the cryopreservation of embryos from the rat strains will ensure a future source for stock for new contracts. This has become an imperative due to the difficulties encountered in obtaining stock for this contract. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:The purpose of this acquisition is to: A) cryopreserve embryos from the rat strains in contract number HHSN260200400003C; B) provide an analysis of shipping patterns within contract number HHSN260200400003C; and C) continue the maintenance and distribution of the standing colony of aged, genetically-defined calorically-restricted rat and mouse strains in contract number HHSN260200400003C for use by investigators in studies of aging, while the renewal contract colony is being developed. This colony must be maintained within controlled and defined barrier environments where the animals are monitored and characterized for diseases status and markers of genetic purity. The development of the colony required acquisition of foundation stock, re-derivation of the stock to ensure that the animals conformed to the required health status, and development of the breeding colonies. This phase takes approximately three (3) years. Animals are entered into the aging colony monthly so that there is a continuous supply available. The NIA seeks to maintain the existing colony until the renewal contract colony has all ages available for the research community. In addition, the analysis provided in B) above will assist the NIA in determining the proper level of caloric restricted animals to maintain. Cryopreservation of embryos provided in part A) above will ensure that there is a continuing source of stock for future contracts. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: The primary tasks for this acquisition include: A) Breeding Colony Development; B)Breeding Colony Maintenance; C) Maintenance of the Aging Caloric Restriction Colony; D) Feeding Protocol; E) Environmental Requirements; F) Colony Evaluation and Monitoring; and G) Shipment of Animals to Investigators. REPORTS/DELIVERABLES: The following reports will be required: A. Semiannual Progress Reports; B. Weekly Census Reports; C. Quarterly Health Monitoring Reports; D. Reports of the results of the semiannual genetic monitoring of the breeding colonies; E. Postmortem Reports; and F. Final Report. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The anticipated period of performance is four 12-month performance years from August 1, 2012 through July 31, 2016. OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS: (1) The government is expected to use procedures in FAR Part 15, Contracting by Negotiations. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code will be 122990 ($0.75 Million); and (2) The contractor must have a current supply of rodents in barriers to prevent contamination of the colony with disease organisms that would negatively impact the research for which the animals are provided. Precautions include filtering of the air going into the barriers, positive pressure in the barrier rooms to prevent mixing of air between barriers, requirements for staff to shower in and out of the barriers, and sterilization of all materials going into the barriers. No animals are returned to the barriers after leaving the barriers. For this reason, the existing colonly cannot be transferred. CAPABILITY STATEMENT/INFORMATION SOUGHT. a. Capability Statement - Respondents to this notice must provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement to include the following: (1) information regarding respondents' (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, background with rodent care and development, as well as formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information; (2) provide any catalog/list prices for services described in this notice; (3) respondents' DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code(s); and (4) any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the OPDIV's acquisition requirements. b. Information Submission Instructions - Respondents should provide responses accordingly: (1) submit information both electronically and by mail. No telephone and facsimile responses will be accepted; (2) format capability statements using Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF including attachments, resumes, charts, etc. Use single space, 12 font minimum and 8 ½ x 11 size paper; (3) organize material in such a manner that clearly identifies and address capability requirements and provide an executive summary; (4) capability statement should not exceed ten (10) single sided pages including references; (5) respondents must send two original copies via mail and one electronic copy via email; (6) RESPONSES SHOULD BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 25, 2011 at 2:00 PM EDT; (7) include respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses; and (8) send responses to this notice via email to dloeb@mail.nih.gov. The original statements mailed using the U.S. Postal Service should be sent to ATTN: Diane Loeb, National Institutes of Health, Office of Acquisitions - NIDA Neuroscience COAC, NIA R&D Contracts Management Section, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8154, MSC 9661, Bethesda, MD 20892-9661. If using a courier service such as the UPS, Federal Express, etc., change the City, State and Zip Code to Rockville, MD 20852. (Please be aware that the U.S. Postal Service's "Express Mail" DOES NOT deliver to the Rockville, Maryland address.) DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).
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