SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Botanical Sample Collection, Identification, and Gene Sequencing - FDA-SS14-1135419
- Notice Date
- 6/30/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541380
— Testing Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Acquisitions and Grants Services, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 2129, Rockville, Maryland, 20857-0001
- ZIP Code
- 20857-0001
- Solicitation Number
- FDA-SS14-1135419
- Archive Date
- 7/26/2014
- Point of Contact
- Christopher R. McGucken, Phone: 3018277161
- E-Mail Address
-
christopher.mcgucken@fda.hhs.gov
(christopher.mcgucken@fda.hhs.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Sources Sought Notice- Word Format. TITLE: Botanical Sample Collection, Identification, Vouchering and Gene-Sequencing OPDIV: FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability of potential small businesses (e.g., 8(a), service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, veteran-owned small business, and women-owned small business) in accordance with FAR 7.104(d). The potential small business will need to demonstrate the capability to perform all facets of the work described below. The sole intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain capabilities for set-aside and procurement planning purposes. This is not an invitation for bid, request for proposal, or other solicitation, and in no way obligates the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to award a contract. BACKGROUND The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), in conjunction with the FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs, has the responsibility to develop, apply, and provide the necessary technology and methods for the effective identification of botanical material in dietary supplements and foods that may constitute a health threat. Processing, specifically in dietary supplements or spices, often removes or damages diagnostic characteristics crucial for the identification of species by conventional taxonomic means. In these cases, traditional morphological methods are often insufficient to provide for species resolution. The FDA is also responsible for having the necessary tools to detect and enforce regulations against substitution of one species for another in cases of economic adulteration. Recently FDA has invested heavily in building the capacity for DNA sequencing for a number of reasons, including bacterial genome sequencing for foodborne outbreaks of illness, species identification of seafood to detect mislabeling and fraud. The FDA is in the very early stages of developing a broad DNA based method for plant species using both Sanger and Next Generation sequencing techniques. In order for the FDA to proceed with the use of a DNA based method an authenticated sample library is required. Any plant species that are collected must be identified by appropriate experts in taxonomy, vouchered, preserved, and diagnostic genes must be identified. The FDA does not have the capabilities to complete the collection, morphological identification, and vouchering of plant species reference standards nor does it make sense to develop these capabilities. A research laboratory is needed specializing in applying cutting-edge DNA technologies for a variety of applications that has the necessary botanical knowledge and facilities necessary to help the FDA develop a botanical DNA database. This should include connections with a great number of academic and museum herbaria and the experience/logistical capability to obtain samples to assist the FDA with the development of methods for the identification of plants in both dietary supplements and food products. The company would need a large voucher collection at their laboratory and would generate DNA sequences for species of interest, to determine the best gene to identify the particular specimen. To do this properly, vouchers of closely related species must be included. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS The objectives of this study are as follows: Independently, and not as an agent of the FDA, the contractor shall be capable to furnish the necessary personnel, materials, transportation, services, facilities, and otherwise do all things necessary for or incident to the performance of the work as described below. The contractor, in consultation with CFSAN shall: A.Acquire, identify, and voucher, plant species reference standards to be used for DNA sequencing from botanical species of interest to the FDA. B.Help sequence botanical specimens and verify what genes are most informative for identification. C.Aid the FDA in the continued development and refinement of DNA based sequencing methodologies for plants. D. Provide the FDA with plant material when needed to develop specific assays or to generate chloroplast genome datasets. E.Report results to the FDA The partner must be cGMP compliant for DNA species identification of plants and managed by an expert in both DNA sequencing (10+ years of experience) and botanical taxonomy (PhD level). They must also have access to authenticated botanical material. Capability statements must demonstrate the minimum requirements outlined below. Please address each in the order listed below. Technical Capability - Offeror shall demonstrate their capability to perform the work and meet the objectives as described above in regards to appropriateness, adequacy and feasibility. Personnel - Offeror shall demonstrate that it employs the requisite personnel in terms of adequacy and appropriateness in regards to experience, education, training, and availability to meet the objectives outlined above. Past Performance- Offeror shall provide information demonstrating history of relevant work performed in the past, similar to size and scope. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Please provide the follow Business information on your cover sheet: 1.DUNS Number 2.Company Name 3.Company Address. 4.Company Point of Contact, phone number and email address 5.Type of company under NAICS, as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM). Additional information on NAICS codes can be found at www.sba.gov. Any potential government contract must be registered on the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov/index.asp. 6.Corporate structure (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, professional corporation, etc.); 7.Current GSA Schedules appropriate to this Sources Sought 8.Current Government Wide Agency Contracts (GWACs) 9.Point of Contact, phone number and email address of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. Interested parties having the capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements may submit capability statements via email or regular mail to the point of contact listed below. Responses shall be limited to 11 pages (inclusive of coversheet). Responses must be received not later 3:00 PM Eastern Time, July 11th, 2014. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date. Documentation should be emailed to: Christopher.McGucken@fda.hhs.gov
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/FDA/DCASC/FDA-SS14-1135419/listing.html)
- Record
- SN03410249-W 20140702/140701023853-9354ffc73a88ab2bbebceec4ec5c0af4 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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