SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- AGE, GENE/ENVIRONMENT SUSCEPTIBILITY- REYKJAVIK STUDY
- Notice Date
- 11/21/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- 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(AG)-SBSS-12-166
- Archive Date
- 12/22/2011
- Point of Contact
- Diane Loeb, Phone: 301 443 8886, Yvette Brown, Phone: 301 443-2696
- E-Mail Address
-
dloeb@nida.nih.gov, Yvette.Brown@nih.gov
(dloeb@nida.nih.gov, Yvette.Brown@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice BACKGROUND: The Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography and Biometry (LEDB), an intramural research laboratory of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), will support through a research contract, a clinical research project, the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility -Reykjavik Study (AGES-Reykjavik). The purpose of this study is continued analysis and scientific exploration of the AGES-Reykjavik cohort by means of data analysis, hospital, nursing home, and death records abstraction, and ancillary projects. The primary aims of the requirement are: AIM 1: Perform core study functions, consisting of study management and communication, ongoing outcomes ascertainment from medical and death records, maintenance of and access to biological specimen and image repositories, and data management, to allow for continued analysis of the AGES-Reykjavik Study data. AIM 2: Perform genomic analysis on traits collected in previous contracts for the AGES-Reykjavik Study. AIM 3: Initiate and conduct ancillary studies in the AGES-Reykjavik Study cohort or in its offspring. The Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study was initiated in 2001 by the Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry of the NIA's Intramural Research Program to examine genetic susceptibility and gene/environment interaction as these contribute to traits and phenotypes common in old age. As the effects of aging are multi-system, AGES included four related biologic systems: neurocognitive (cognition, dementia, depression, neurosensory (vision, hearing, balance); cardiovascular (atherosclerosis, arterial distensibility, ventricular and valvular disease); musculoskeletal (spine and hip osteoporosis, hip osteoarthritis, strength and function); and body composition and metabolism (obesity, sarcopenia, and hyperglycemia/diabetes). These biologic systems were chosen based on the hypothesis that genes in pathways, such as inflammation or glucose metabolism, could contribute to phenotypes both within and across these systems. The AGES-Reykjavik Study participants were recruited from survivors of the Reykjavik Study (RS), a longitudinal cohort study of men and women born in 1907 through 1934 in Iceland who were examined at least once and up to six times for cardiovascular risk by the Icelandic Heart Association (IHA). This nested design allows for better assessment of traits because earlier life traits generally are associated with greater heritability and are less likely to be affected by concurrent illnesses in old age. A cost-sharing research contract between the NIA and the IHA started in 2001 to carry-out the first "old-age" clinic and home exams of the RS survivors. This baseline exam was conducted in 5,764 participants. Through the same contract, a second, follow-up clinic examination began in 2007 and 3,200 of the AGES-Reykjavik participants were examined. Through the course of the AGES-Reykjavik Study, information on outcomes and disease status has been supplemented by matching hospital, nursing home, and mortality records to the cohort. Numerous ancillary studies, through grants and additional NIH or IHA funding, have been conducted to take advantage of the opportunity of the extensive clinical information available on this cohort. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The study will be performed as a follow-up contract to the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility - Reykjavik Study. The major focus of this new contract will be to continue to accumulate and share endpoints extracted from external databases; to maintain the biobank and image repositories; to continue analysis of genetic and epidemiologic data collected in the study; to continue the scientific work of this study by conducting studies of genetic transmission of selected phenotypes in offspring of AGES-Reykjavik Study participants; and to participate in state-of-the-art work on biomarkers. The Contractor will provide the scientific infrastructure to maintain repositories of data, biospecimens, and images acquired throughout the AGES-Reykjavik Study and in any ancillary studies, to maintain health and vital status records, to provide data, biospecimens, or other materials that may be requested for collaborator research approved by the AGES-Reykjavik Study Executive Committee. The Contractor will also provide resources to carry out two ancillary studies that are anticipated under this Contract: one dealing with family structure and genetic transmission focused on the brain and the other a study of proteomics or metabolomics. The Contractor is expected to provide input into the content and feasibility of all aspects of the activities carried out as a part of this contract. The following six goals shall satisfy NIA's requirement for this project: A. Participate in the scientific direction of AGES-Reykjavik and provide study communication infrastructure for tracking of analysis projects, oversight of ancillary studies, and publications based on AGES-Reykjavik. B. Provide data updates for hospitalization, nursing home admissions and assessments, vital status, and cause of death for all participants of the AGES-Reykjavik Study. C. Conduct statistical analysis, data management, maintenance, and distribution of data files. D. Provide scientific direction and analytic support for genetics research associated with AGES-Reykjavik. E. Manage the maintenance and tracking of biologic specimens and MRI and CT images obtained in earlier AGES-Reykjavik contracts. F. Provide infrastructure for new ancillary studies as needed or help to identify sources where these studies can be best performed. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: The primary tasks for this acquisition include: A) Study Tasks and Phasing; Task 1. Study Administration, Task 2. Data Updates, Task 3. Data Analysis and Management, Task 4. Genotyping, Task 5. Genetics Analytic Support, Task 6. Central Storage Facility for Biologic Samples, Task 7. Maintain an Image Repository, Task 8. Ancillary Study of AGES-Reykjavik Participants and Offspring, Task 9. Ancillary Study on Biological Specimens or Images Required Reports/Deliverables: The following reports will be required: A. Quarterly Progress Reports B. Final Report C. Data Sets 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 541712 with 500 Employees; and (2) Data Management System:The Contractor must use the data management system that was developed for AGES-Reykjavik Study. The Contractor must access participants enrolled in the AGES-Reykjavik Study and have access to previously used equipment to maintain continuity in any measures that might be done as part of ancillary studies. The Contractor shall maintain study-wide policies and procedures relevant to data usage and scientific productivity of the study. It is essential the Contractor provides optimal performance of services so there will be no discontinuity in work performance and that smooth continuation of the AGES-Reykjavik Study be maintained. 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, as well as formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work described; (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 DECEMBER 7, 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@nida.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).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
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- Record
- SN02626682-W 20111123/111121234153-825f728fb31fd7eb1e012e858e3406fd (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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