SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- The effect of pre-analytical factors on stability of metabolomic epidemiologic research
- Notice Date
- 8/2/2014
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E128, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- N02PC42605-83
- Archive Date
- 9/2/2014
- Point of Contact
- Gwennifer K. Epps, Phone: 240-276-5445, Terry Galloway, Phone: 240-276-5384
- E-Mail Address
-
eppsg@mail.nih.gov, gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov
(eppsg@mail.nih.gov, gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP), plans to conduct a study of sample collection and preparation procedures for metabolomics assays in human blood samples procure on a sole source basis the services with Metabolon, Inc., 617 Davis Dr. Suite 400, Durham, NC 27713, USA. This process will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisitions procedures as stated in FAR Part 13 13.106-1(b)(1) and is exempt for the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $14.0 million. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. Period of performance will be for 12 months from the date of award. Epidemiology is the scientific study of the causes and distribution of disease in populations. NCI-funded epidemiology research is conducted through research at institutions in the United States and internationally with funding through the extramural Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP) and other Programs in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS). Metabolomics is the assessment of small molecules, often defined to be only those molecules participating in cellular metabolism, within a given biological system. Metabolites include low-molecular weight compounds, such as lipids, sugars, amino acids, nucleotides. Modern methods, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectroscopy (MS) coupled with liquid chromatography (LC) or gas chromatography (GC), can identify and quantify a large number of metabolites simultaneously within a biospecimen, capturing its metabolomic profile. These profiles have been used to predict the risk of diabetes, diagnose prostate cancer, and identify biomarkers of Crohn's disease. There is a strong interest in applying metabolomic analysis to cancer epidemiologic studies. Since epidemiologic studies often involve field biospecimen collection, the conditions of sample processing, handling, and storage may vary, which may affect the reliability of the results and increase the risk of detecting false biomarker candidates. However, to obtain an accurate assessment of an individual's metabolomic profile, NCI need to understand and then eliminate or alter sample preparation steps that affect measured metabolite levels. It is important to realize the potential variability from the sample handling to properly control for the effect of pre-analytical parameters on metabolite measurements when performing metabolomics research. Understanding this variability is an essential prerequisite to broadening the use of metabolomics technologies to epidemiological studies and pooling measurements from different population-based studies. As a result, the NCI/EGRP branch plans to conduct a study of sample collection and preparation procedures for metabolomics assays in human blood samples. The procurement is to generate and analyze data and from blood samples collected in kind by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center to study sample collection and preparation procedures for metabolomics assays. The NCI will send 300 blood samples collected at USDA under various specified conditions. Samples are to be run on both the Liquid Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry (MS) and Gas Chromatography MS platforms, with linkage of raw MS output to named and unnamed biochemicals. Statement of objectives The contractor shall: 1. Receive and catalog blood samples sent in one batch on dry ice from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center. The contractor shall store the samples frozen until analysis. 2. Conduct liquid chromatography and gas chromatography MS analyses. 3. Link MS output to named and unnamed biochemicals from a reference database. 4. Deliver data to the NCI Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) as tables of named and unnamed biochemicals and relative concentrations. This will be delivered by e-mail as either an Excel file or text file. 5. The contractor shall provide to the NCI COR the tables of named and unnamed biochemicals and relative concentrations, all linked to sample IDs. Data shall be in Excel or text file. 6. Any remaining blood should be destroyed by the lab, unless the lab is otherwise instructed by the principal investigator. Based on the importance of this science, NCI plans to sole source this project to Metabolon Inc.. Metabolon Inc. utilizes a unique informatics methods used to link mass-spectrometry output to actual metabolite identities. For this reason, EGRP believes that Metabolon Inc. is the only lab that NCI can use to achieve the primary study aims. In addition, there are just a handful of metabolomics laboratories in the United States, and only one-Metabolon Inc.-provides broad linkage of MS peaks to actual metabolite identities across the metabolome (i.e. Metabolon Inc provides 400+ metabolite identities, while other labs typically provide a maximum of 10-20 metabolite identities). Also, the NCI study will be conducted in concert with a number of other ongoing metabolomics projects that are slated to be done at Metabolon Inc. Therefore, in order for the study results to be comparable with those of the other NCI projects using Metabolon Inc. will allow for pooling of the results from control subjects across these studies. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party especially small business, believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI Office of Acquisitions on or before 11:00 AM EST on, August 18, 2014. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax); an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI Office of Acquisitions at the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (240) 276-5401 or emailed to Gwennifer Epps, Contracting Officer at eppsg@mail.nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), through sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number N02PC42605-83 on all correspondence.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/RCB/N02PC42605-83/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: National Cancer Institute/NIH, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, United States
- Zip Code: 20850
- Zip Code: 20850
- Record
- SN03447702-W 20140804/140802233020-8cff057c9b3f8dfc8ad76d1acc68febb (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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