SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- NATIONAL TOXICOLOGY PROGRAM HIGH CONTENT ASSAYS
- Notice Date
- 5/6/2011
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541711
— Research and Development in Biotechnology
- 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
- NIHES201130
- Archive Date
- 7/6/2011
- Point of Contact
- Juanita A Campbell, Phone: 919-541-7893, JoAnn K Lewis, Phone: 919-541-7894
- E-Mail Address
-
campbellj@niehs.nih.gov, lewisj@niehs.nih.gov
(campbellj@niehs.nih.gov, lewisj@niehs.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- "This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain knowledge and information for project planning purposes." a. Background, Purpose and Objectives. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Toxicology Program (NTP) is interested in having chemicals and complex mixtures screened for biological activity relevant to toxicity pathways in biochemical and cell-based in-vitro assays, in-vitro 3D tissue constructs, and/or those using phylogenetic lower organisms. The NTP, in its Roadmap for the 21st Century (http://ntp.niehs.gov/go/vision), established as a goal, the development of a high throughput screening program using rapid, predictive assays that have been demonstrated to be reliable and relevant for estimation of toxicity. The anticipated contract shall be independent of but may overlap assays conducted under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ToxCast Program (http://www.epa.gov/ncct/toxcast/data_sets.html). Development of new assays is not of interest for this requirement. Results from screening these assays will be used to identify and rank compounds of interest for further toxicity characterization. b. Project requirements. The NTP requires contractor assistance in screening compounds in high throughput and/or high content biochemical or cell-based in-vitro assays, in-vitro 3D tissue constructs, and/or those using phylogenitic lower organisms. Each assay will be comprised of unique features in terms of molecular target, species, molecular or biochemical pathway, toxicity pathway, and conditions, and may include capability for metabolic activation. All assays will be extant and commercially available. New assay development is not intended for the contract anticipated. Representative examples of the types of assays that may be screened under this contract can be accessed at the EPA ToxCast Program Website identified above. The anticipated contract may include but is not limited to the assays specified. It is anticipated that the contract will require screening of up to 15 assays per year. Assay screening shall be initiated via issuance of individual Task Orders to the contract. Each assay may include between 20 minimum and 100 maximum chemicals. The NTP will provide the chemicals. Assay screening shall be conducted in 96-, 384-, or 1536-well plate format or some other agreed-to format for rapid assay performance at up to 10 treatment concentrations and 3 times of exposure. Each task order shall be processed and data results submitted to the COTR within 120 days of receipt of test chemicals. c. Anticipated contract type and period of performance. It is anticipated that the Government will make one Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) type award, and the award will contain fixed unit prices for each type of assay screening identified. Specifics for each assay screening shall be included in the individual Task Orders awarded. Since the Government will require data from a variety of assays, it is anticipated that the contractor may require the resources of multiple subcontractors to perform the requirements of the Statement Of Work. It is anticipated that the fixed unit price per type of assay screening shall be provided in single units (For example: assay X @ $YYY/each). It is anticipated that there may be up to a maximum quantity of fifteen (15) assays/year. Optional Quantities may be included in the contract to order additional assays in single units. The anticipated period of performance shall be for one year 2012 through 2013 for the base year of the award, with four (4) one year options (2013 through 2017) for a total of five (5) years if all optional periods of performance are exercised. d. Other important considerations. Chemical compounds are to be treated as hazardous and potentially carcinogenic. The contractor, and/or subcontractor(s) if applicable, should have experience handling hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals safely and disposing of waste safely. The Principal Investigator (PI) should have adequate experience in preparing and managing data organization as demonstrated by an advanced degree in laboratory-based research programs and publication of scientific data, and analysis at a level for publication in peer-reviewed journals. It is preferred that the PI have experience with management of subcontractors, since it is anticipated that resources may be required of multiple subcontractors. Offerors should have a plan for QA/QC of all data acquired under the anticipated contract from in-house and/or subcontracted sources. It is anticipated that a final report shall be submitted upon the completion of each assay, and that semi-annual status reports will be required to document the on-going and future progress of the contract. e. Information sought. The NTP is seeking information from qualified organizations to provide the scientific and logistical expertise necessary to assist the NTP in conducting High Content Assays for Human and Rodent Toxicity Pathway Assays. In response to this announcement NTP requests: 1. Opinions regarding the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement and/or proposed acquisition (such as contract type, pricing, etc.), possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts; 2. General information, which estimates the effort or time that may be required for an experienced organization to complete the work, identified above. Note: this information is for planning purposes only, DO NOT include detailed estimates; 3. Other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements; 4. Information packets should not exceed twenty (20) pages in length, excluding standard brochures. Telephone and facsimile responses will not be accepted. Electronic or hard-copy (4 copies) information packages are acceptable. Electronic information shall be in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Power Point, or other Microsoft compatible format sufficient to clearly read the information provided; 5. Please include a cover page, identify the technical and administrative points of contact for the organization, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and organization name; and 6. Information packages shall be submitted for receipt within thirty (30) days from the date of this announcement, June 6, 2011 at 4:00 pm EST. Please submit information to Ms. Juanita A. Campbell, Contracting Officer, Post Office Box 12874, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Overnight address: 530 Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560. Written inquiries will be accepted by e-mail at campbellj@niehs.nih.gov. f. 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. Information provided will be used to assess trade-offs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. 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. Any solicitation resulting from the analysis of information obtained will be announced to the public in Federal Business Opportunities in accordance with Part 5 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. g. 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
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- Record
- SN02441903-W 20110508/110506234341-fb0bac189473526e652e021715682cb0 (fbodaily.com)
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