SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Specialized Expertise to Support the Planning, Implementation, and Analytical Needs of Toxicological Investigations of the Libby Action Plan
- Notice Date
- 11/7/2007
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- 55 Broadway; Cambridge, MA 02142
- ZIP Code
- 02142
- Solicitation Number
- DTRT57-08-SS-0463
- Response Due
- 11/26/2007
- Archive Date
- 2/26/2008
- Point of Contact
- Point of Contact -Robert Robinson, Contracting Officer, 617-494-3433
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Contracting Officer
(robinson@volpe.dot.gov)
- Description
- Between 1923 and the early 1990s, a mine near Libby, Montana, produced millions of tons of vermiculite ore. This vermiculite has been found to be contaminated with Libby amphibole asbestos (LA), a known human health risk. In vitro and in vivo toxicological studies are being planned to assess the toxicity of LA as well as other mineral fibers. These studies will involve exposure of cells and/or tissues in culture, as well as laboratory animals, to LA and other mineral fibers. The studies are described in detail in the paper titled, Dosimetric and Toxicologic Assessment of Amphibole Fiber-Containing Material from Libby, Montana (U.S. EPA-ORD-NHEERL in consultation with U.S. EPA Region 8, U.S. EPA NCEA, and U.S. EPA OSWER, August 14, 2007). A copy of this peer-reviewed paper, hereafter referred to as EPA 2007, may be obtained at the following website: http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/libby/Revised_NHEERL_LA_StudiesFinal.pdf. As a result of these studies, various types of biological specimens will be generated which require careful evaluation of fiber concentration. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) seeks sources that would be able to provide support to assist in method-development studies and tissue analysis, both of which are critical to support the in vitro and in vivo toxicological studies described in EPA 2007. Specifically, the support required is to provide expert processing of biological samples (e.g., cells, tissues, organs), generated from toxicological investigations of LA and other fibrous minerals, for determination of fiber content by electron microscopic (EM) analysis. Additionally, support related to study design will also be required. The actual live animal testing will be performed by EPA or a separate contractor - no animal testing will be conducted under this proposed contract. Support efforts will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the development, review, and/or implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the processing of biological specimens from toxicological studies of LA or other mineral fibers, for initial EM analysis and eventual detailed EM analysis. Additional required support may include in vivo study design consultation and the development, review, and/or implementation of SOPs for the collection and preparation of the respirable fraction of LA and other mineral fibers for the toxicological investigations. The Volpe Center is seeking offerors with expertise (i.e., history of research experience and publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature) in the following areas: (1) implementation of animal toxicity studies of fibrous material; (2) preparation and analysis of dosing material for animal toxicity studies of fibrous material (generation and characterization of fiber aerosols); (3) preparation of biological/tissue samples from animal toxicity studies of fibrous material for EM analysis (this involves low temperature ashing, bleach digestions, EM grid preparation and stabilization); (4) characterization of fiber burdens in various tissues, including but not limited to lung, trachea, and pleura (this characterization includes EM analysis and evaluation of bivariate distribution of fibers from biological samples (scanning EM and transmission EM analytical experience required)); (5) evaluation of mucociliary clearance velocities; (6) interspecies dose calculations for fibers; and (7) modeling particle and fiber deposition and clearance in rat lung and correlation of theoretical results of fiber retention with experimental data of fiber concentration in biological samples. Additionally, offerors must have the ability to safely determine fiber content of biological samples (e.g., cells, tissue, organs) by EM analysis. Equipment for and expertise with low temperature ashing of biological samples and transfer/preparation of grid for EM analysis is required. Analytical expertise in EM is also necessary, as well as a history of complying with applicable health and safety precautions associated with handling asbestos samples. All capability information shall include: Contract number; Customer (Government agency, private industry); Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) name, telephone and fax numbers; contract value and type of contract; period of performance; and description of product/services. Information provided should be detailed in the area(s) above so the Government can assess the ability of the company to provide the described services. All of the information sought should be conveyed in no more than eight pages. Page size is set at 8 X 11 and text should be doubled spaced. Each response must reference the Sources Sought title. Interested parties must respond to this announcement in writing within 15 days of publication. Telephonic requests will not be honored. All responses must be sent to Robert P Robinson, Contracting Officer, RTV-6D1, United States Department of Transportation, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 55 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142. Email responses are also acceptable (email: Robert.P.Robinson@volpe.dot.gov). THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for informational and planning purposes only, and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal including the use of any non-profit organization or small business programs. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of response to this Special Notice. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids and proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. Unless otherwise stated herein, no solicitation regarding this announcement is available. Requests for the same will be disregarded. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the FedBizOpps. Please be aware that all information submitted in response to this request, whether written, oral, electronic, graphic, or any other medium, is considered public information under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this synopsis and submittals will not be returned to the sender. For information about the Volpe Center refer to the Volpe Center website at http://www.volpe.dot.gov.
- Web Link
-
Volpe Center Acquisition Division home page
(http://www.volpe.dot.gov/procure/index.html)
- Record
- SN01448422-W 20071109/071107223723 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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