National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

B -- THE CANCER CHROMOSOME ABERRATION PROJECT SOL NCI-RFQ-00057-NV DUE 031300 POC Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent (301) 402-4509, Gail Zois, Contracting Officer (301) 402-4509 Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for Professional Services to be performed on The Cancer Chromosome Aberration Project. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) plans to procure the services of an individual to perform laboratory research services as described herein for The Cancer Chromosome Aberration Project in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes a combined synopsis/solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR FAC 97-15. This requirement is set-aside for small business. The Standard Industrial Classification Code is 8731 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Background: This project will be performed in the Fluorescence in-situ Hybridization (FISH), Genetics Department, Medicine Branch, Division of Clinical Sciences, NCI. The FISH Section focuses on the delineation of chromosomal aberrations involved in -e origin of human genetic diseases using molecular cytogenetic methods. The overall project is designed to provide a resource for a standard set of 3000 BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) clones spaced at 1-2 megabases (millions base pairs) across the human genome. This set of clones will then be made available to the biomedical, academic, governmental, and commercial communities through the establishment of a central repository for their distribution. Each clone will be guaranteed to map to a precise location in the genome as ascertained by high resolution (850-1000 band stage) fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assays. Each clone will be colony purified and should demonstrate a unique locus of hybridization under the specified conditions of stringency. The data from the mapping of these clones will ultimately be available through a web site established in collaboration with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), along with linkage to other relevant cancer relevant web sites and physical and genetic maps. A pilot C-cap project has resulted in the successful mapping of clones for chromosomes 7 and 22, and the generation of the type of high resolution map described above. With the expansion of this project beyond the two chromosomes thus far completed, as well as the anticipated increase in density of clone coverage for the aforementioned, two chromosomes, there is a critical need for additional skilled individuals to participate in and help complete the C-cap project. Requirements: The contractor shall perform the following activities at the Genetics Department, NIH. The contractor shall be in charge of processing approximately 1,000 BAC clones received from about a dozen or so separate institutions. These BAC clones will be selected from the preview screening set for the establishment of the C-cap clone repository and database. Each of the clones shall require compulsive cataloguing and identification with a unique identifier by the Contractor. The clones will then need to be colony-purified and amplified through the use of an automated BAC clone preparative and purification machine (Autogen). The BAC clone DNA shall then be labeled and applied to high resolution(850-1000) band stage metaphase and prometaphase chromosomes that the Contractor shall also be involved in preparing. Localization of the clones to a segment or segments of the human genome shall follow. For clones that show multiple sites of hybridization or that hybridize to areas other than those predicted by the physical maps used for the selection, the Contractor shall record but not include in the final set of BAC clones made available to the biomedical community. It is anticipated that 1-25% of the initial preview screening clones will not make it onto the final BAC clone list. Aside form the technical details of the growing of BACs and high resolution FISH mapping, this endeavor requires the Contractor to have an assiduous attention to detail and facility in interacting with principal investigators all over the world with the purpose of collecting, defining, and refining the ultimate set of BAC clones that will emerge as the bonafide C-cap set. Effort: In performing the above requirement, it is estimated that the Contractor shall expend 1,750 hours of effort over 12 months in performing the work which is anticipated to start in March of 2000. Evaluation Criteria: The technical portion of the quotation will receive paramount consideration in selecting an offeror. However, price will also be a significant factor in the event that two or more offerors are determined to be essentially equal following the evaluation of technical factors. The technical portion of offers/quotations will be evaluated based on the following technical critera: 1) Understanding of the requirement and overall approach to performing (40%); 2) Experience and education in both cytogenetics and molecular biology including an advanced degree in a related discipline(s) (i.e., Biotechnology, Molecular Biology). (30%); 3) Experience with the following methodologies: a) bacterial DNA isolation, b) use of restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis, DNA labeling in situ hybridizations, and chromosome aberrations (30%) Provisions and Clauses: The solicitation incorporates the NCI REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENT OF OFFERORS OR QUOTERS (SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS). The award document will incorporate the requirements of the clause at FAR 52.213-4, TERMS AND CONDITIONS -- SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS. Full text copies of these documents may be obtained from Deborah Moore on (301) 402-4509 or by fax on (301) 402-4513 Offers Offers must be submitted on a SF-18 that is signed by an authorized representative of the offeror and includes a completed "Schedule of Offered Supplies/Services". The offer should include a cost breakout with a bottom line total for performing the aforementioned requirements. Offers must be accompanied by a competed and signed NCI REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR QUOTERS (SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS). Offers shall submit an original technical proposal plus descriptive literature and/or other materials that demonstrate that their offer/quotation meets all the foregoing requirements. The technical proposal shall provide sufficient detail to demonstrate all required experience, education, methodologies, and approaches noted in the evaluation criteria. In addition, curriculum vitae should be provided for all proposed personnel as well as their time commitments on other ongoing projects in order to evaluate availability. Two copies of the technical proposal/quotation, and all other printed materials shall be submitted with an original. Offers and related materials must be received in this office by 2:00 pm EST on March 13, 2000. No collect calls will be accepted. Please site the solicitation number, NCI-RFQ-000057-NV. Posted 02/22/00 (W-SN427364). (0053)

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