SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- ANIMAL GENOTYPING SERVICES
- Notice Date
- 3/9/2016
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541380
— Testing Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Office of Acquisitions, Office of Management, 530 Davis Drive, Durham, North Carolina, 27713, United States
- ZIP Code
- 27713
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIEHS-SBSS-16-03-09
- Archive Date
- 4/12/2016
- Point of Contact
- Christopher J. Fisher, Phone: 919-541-0428
- E-Mail Address
-
christopher.fisher@nih.gov
(christopher.fisher@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Sources Sought Animal Genotyping Services Agency/Office: National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Location: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27509 Title: Animal Genotyping Services Primary Point of Contact: Christopher Fisher, Contract Specialist e-mail: Christopher.fisher@nih.gov Please submit all questions by March 23, 2016 via e-mail 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. 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. The NAICS code for the project is 541380 Testing Laboratories. Background: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) investigators utilize many rodent models (e.g. transgenic, knockout and mutant mice) as model systems to explore how human health and human disease are caused by the interaction of environment and individual susceptibility over time. The NIEHS maintains many genetically distinct laboratory animals utilized for this research. The validation and verification of the genotype of these animals is of critical importance to NIEHS investigators. Therefore, a genetic monitoring contract is needed to provide a rapid and accurate determination of the genotype of each animal. This will be accomplished by awarding a single or multiple contracts to perform one or more DNA-based methods to determine the genotype of each animal sample and provide that information in a form acceptable to NIEHS investigators. Purpose and Objectives: To accomplish project goals a Genotyping Support Contract will provide for DNA extraction from submitted specimens and accompanying bioinformatics support. The majority of the biological samples will be rodent tail clip or ear punch samples. However, the scope of samples that could be analyzed under the contract will be wide-ranging. For example, target organs of interest, such as but not limited to liver or kidney could be of interest to be analyzed. Other sample types for analysis could include isolated or culture cells, various bio-fluids like serum or urine, various organs or tissues, normal or neoplastic tissues, or formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. In addition to rodent species, samples could be derived from other species. Project Requirements: The contractor shall supply all necessary labor, materials, equipment, facilities and supplies under the terms of this contract, to perform the following tasks: The contractor shall: 1. Determine the genotype of interest in animals with a DNA-based testing method that utilizes suitable high throughput DNA genotyping techniques including but not limited to PCR-based approaches (i.e. PCR, RT-PCR, Fragment Analysis). 2. Provide all necessary sample collection material for the shipment of samples including but not limited to: sample collection plate or vial, refrigerated sample storage method of samples prior to genotype analysis, appropriate pre-paid shipping containers, and a sample record tracking system/method. 3. Isolate DNA from tail clips, ear punch or other biological samples which may include but are not limited to specific organ tissue or blood. All available specimen information will be provided to the contractor prior to analysis. Samples will be furnished by the Government and sent at a rate ranging from 5,000 to 12,000 per month with an estimated average of approximately 8,000 samples per month. The contractor shall genotype the sample for the specific mutation or genetic alteration as directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Principal Investigator from NIEHS. 4. Store all samples and leftover DNA from these tests for a minimum of six months and return them to the NIEHS COR or Principal Investigator when requested. Samples may be disposed of by the contractor only after obtaining written approval from the COR and NIEHS Investigator. 5. Report all testing results along with relevant data to both the COR and the individual NIEHS Investigator electronically as accumulated, using Excel spreadsheets, within a maximum turn-around time of 72 hours after the DNA sample has been shipped out from NIEHS. Results that deviate from those expected by the Project Officer COR shall be re-done. If the results are still other than those expected by the Project Officer COR, the contractor must immediately report the findings to the Project Officer COR and the individual NIEHS Investigator via telephone and/or e-mail. 6. Provide reproducible assay(s) for each genotype to determine the necessary information for its proper identification. Some sample genotypes may require more than one assay for identification of the correct genotype. Any and all assay developmental information including but not limited to reagent formulations, methodology, protocols, instrumentation type used and all settings and calibrations of instrument regarding each assay shall be reported to the COR and NIEHS Investigator within 24 hours of written request from NIEHS once the reproducible assay is made. NIEHS retains the right to use these assays for any future purposes. 7. In the case of a failure of a genotyping assay to accurately determine the necessary information for proper genotype identification, the contractor shall repeat the assay for that sample. The contractor shall include in all assays a quality control scheme for monitoring the success rate of the genotyping assays, such as but not limited to random replicates or spike-in control samples. The contractor shall provide back-up methods of testing to be available to be performed on problem samples, as requested by the COR to validate genotyping results. This may include but is not limited to DNA sequencing of the genotype in some samples. 8. Samples for genotyping and ancillary studies will focus on but not be limited to rodent tissue. The contractor will receive suitable specimens and all available sample information from NIEHS to perform their analysis. The contractor shall isolate DNA at the request and direction of NIEHS, using a method approved by the COR. Sample preparation and the specific type of analysis to be performed shall be decided on by NIEHS in discussion with the contractor consistent with the technology platforms in the contract. 9. As directed by the COR, validate experimental observations, such as but not limited to gene expression findings, based on additional replicates and targeted re-genotyping. Sample preparation and the specific type of analysis to be performed will be decided by the COR and the NIEHS Investigator in discussion with the contractor, consistent with the technology platforms in the Statement of Work (SOW). 10. Maintain the confidentiality of the genotyping data and provide secure backup of all data essential to the contract, including but not limited to all genotyping data generated, sample tracking and storage information, and QC information. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The anticipated start date of the award is September 23, 2016. The planned total period of performance is three (3) years. CAPABILITY STATEMENT Interested small businesses should submit information regarding their: (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and 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; (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts or grants, references, and other related information; and (d) 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. Capability statements shall be submitted in Adobe pdf or MS Word format and not exceed 20 double-sided pages (including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc.) presented in single-space using 12-point font size. Capability Statements must be submitted electronically by March 28, 2016, 1:00 PM, EST to the email address of the Primary Point of Contact listed below. All responses received by the specified date and time will be acknowledged by the Primary Point of Contact listed below. DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTICES 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 small business 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 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 future solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in a respondent's response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Small businesses that believe they possess the necessary capabilities to meet these requirements are encouraged to contact the Primary Point of Contact listed above.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIEHS/HHS-NIH-NIEHS-SBSS-16-03-09/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: TBD, United States
- Record
- SN04044866-W 20160311/160309235821-cd8d074cf80b3c46244a3a77d53f0c4a (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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