SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Genetic Toxicity Testing
- Notice Date
- 7/20/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except 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
- HHS-NIH-NIEHS-12-GTT
- Archive Date
- 8/18/2012
- Point of Contact
- Kristina K. Filardo, Phone: 9195410753, Velvet m Torain, Phone: 919-541-0400
- E-Mail Address
-
filardok@niehs.nih.gov, torain@niehs.nih.gov
(filardok@niehs.nih.gov, torain@niehs.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- General Information 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. Your 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. Background The National Toxicology Program (NTP) was established within the Department of Health and Human Services and charged with coordinating toxicological testing programs within the Public Health Service of the Department. The NTP, as part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), is responsible for evaluating the toxic and carcinogenic potential of environmental agents that may pose a health hazard to citizens of the United States. Project Details The NTP requires support to examine a variable number of chemicals annually for induction of genetic changes (changes (e.g., mutations, chromosomal changes, DNA damage) in animal or human cells). For this requirement the contractor must have the capability to a) Test approximately 15 chemicals per year for induction of gene mutations in bacterial tester strains b) Conduct approximately 25 in vivo assays per year and c) provide the government the capability to examine up to 5 chemicals per year for ability to induce genetic changes (eg: chromosomal changes, DNA damage) in cultured mammalian cells. The contractor shall have the capability to conduct the following assays: Assay 1: in vivo micronucleus assay - micronucleated erythrocyte, reticulocyte, and/or lymphocyte frequencies in coded bone marrow or blood samples obtained from animals, typically mice and rats, or occasionally humans exposed to a chemical(s). Assay 2: in vivo micronucleus assay - measure micronucleated erythrocyte, reticulocyte, and/or lymphocyte frequencies in blood (or occasionally bone marrow) samples obtained from animals, typically mice and rats, exposed to a chemical(s). Assay 3: in vivo comet assay - quantitate DNA damage (e.g., single and double strand breaks, oxidative damage, alkali labile sites, and DNA-DNA and DNA-protein crosslinks) using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) method in tissues designated by the COR in animals, typically mice and rats, or occasionally humans exposed to a chemical(s). No personal identifiers shall be attached to any human samples. Assay 4: combined in vivo micronucleus/comet assay - simultaneously measure micronucleus frequencies in erythrocytes and/or reticulocytes, and DNA damage in tissues selected by the COR, in laboratory animals (typically mice or rats) exposed to a chemical(s). Assay 5: Pig-a gene mutation assay - measure the frequency of X-linked Pig-a (phosphatidylinositol glycan, Class A) gene mutations in peripheral blood erythrocytes and reticulocytes obtained from animals, typically mice and rats, or occasionally humans, exposed to a chemical(s). Assay 6: in vitro micronucleus assay - measure the frequency of micronucleated cells in culture, following treatment with a test article in the presence and the absence of exogenous metabolic activation. Assay 7: in vitro comet assay - measure chemical-induced DNA damage in cultured cells using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) method. Assay 8: bacterial mutagenicity assay - measure gene mutation frequencies (evaluated as number of mutant colonies per plate) in tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium and/or Escherichia coli following chemical exposures carried out with and without a source of exogenous metabolic activation. The test article(s) shall be provided by the NTP. In addition to the assays described above, the Contractor shall engage in research and development activities (as directed) for assay development and refinement as pertinent technology improvements and innovations occur during the course of this contract. The contractor must have the ability to conduct the assays listed above and research and development on site. The contractor must also have the ability to conduct multiple assays at the same time as the number and type of assays may vary from year to year. Offerors should respond to and be proficient in each assay. Award of one cost-reimbursement, level of effort type contract is contemplated. The total estimated level of effort is anticipated to be between 9,500 and 12,500 labor hours per year depending on the needs of the NTP. The number of assays may change from year to year and the laboratory must have the ability to conduct multiple assays at the same time. Mandatory Qualification Criteria The Contractor shall have an AAALAC accredited laboratory. Anticipated Period of Performance The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years with two (2) additional one-year options an estimated start date of May 1, 2013 and ending April 30, 2020. Submitting a Capability Statement Organizations that submit capability statements in response to this announcement should provide general information regarding the ability to meet the technical requirements below: 1.The capability to meet the mandatory qualification criteria. 2.The capability and capacity for conducting these assays; include a brief description of the size of the organization's facilities, number and type of recent toxicity studies conducted, and key personnel, including study directors with experience in performing studies similar to those described here. 3.Have a working laboratory, meaning that the facility has essential features and practices in place to serve as evidence of experience conducting these types of studies. Organizations responding to this announcement should submit a written capability statement that demonstrates relevant experience, skills, and ability to fulfill the requirements described herein. The capability statement should contain sufficient enough detail for the Government to adequately assess your organization's experience and capabilities. Standard company brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this sources sought synopsis. In the capability statement, respondents should provide their size status for the NAICS Code (541712) and whether or not they are a certified HUBZone, 8(a), Woman-Owned, Small Disadvantaged and/or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned or Veteran-Owned Small Business concern. Technical and administrative points of contact should also be provided. Due Date, Delivery and Number of Copies Interested organizations should submit three (3) copies of their capability statement not to exceed twenty (20) pages in length, excluding standard brochures, resumes, etc., for receipt by the agency no later than 4:30pm EST, August 3, 2012. Documents submitted electronically or by fax will not be accepted. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made nor will respondents be notified of the Government's assessment of the information received. Please submit information to: Kristina Filardo, Contract Specialist National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Post Office Box 12874 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Overnight address: 530 Davis Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Inquiries will be accepted by e-mail at the address provided below. Kristina Filardo, Contract Specialist Phone: 919-541-0753 Email: filardok@niehs.nih.gov 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 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 solicitation. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this notice. 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).
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-
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