SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- cDNA Sequencing for Human Project
- Notice Date
- 7/16/2018
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 4211, MSC 9559, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-9559, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20892-9559
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-SBSS-2018-299
- Archive Date
- 8/3/2018
- Point of Contact
- Fred Ettehadieh,
- E-Mail Address
-
fred.ettehadieh@nih.gov
(fred.ettehadieh@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Description: 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. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background: Deep sequencing of DNA has become a routine procedure in modern molecular biology. This methodology is used to 1) evaluate total gene expression profile in cells (RNA-Seq), 2) characterize epigenetic state of the genome by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-Seq), 3) define the DNA methylation state of cells (Bisulfite-Seq), 4) define chromatin structure by identifying enzyme accessible regions in the genome (ATAC-Seq), 5) interrogate the 3-dimensional structure of the genome by chromosome conformation capture technique (Hi-C), 6) evaluate the antigen receptor repertoire of lymphocytes (VDJ-Seq), and 7) define transcription factor binding sites by ChIP-Seq (ChIP-Seq). Most of these parameters change with age, and their analysis comprises a critical core of our ongoing studies of human aging. All of these methods are routinely used by investigators within LMBI. Experiments are carried out by LMBI staff resulting in the generation of a "library" of DNA fragments that await sequencing by a core facility. Sequencing each sample costs close to $1000. In the current system, we find out if the multi-step experimental procedure has worked only after spending the full amount for sequencing in a core facility. This usually amounts to several thousand dollars because a typical experiment consists of 8-12 samples. The requested MiniSeq permits the investigator to evaluate experimental quality at a fraction of the cost ($50-$75 per sample) before committing to deep sequencing. In this way costs can be cut substantially, and deep sequencing carried out only on rigorously validated experimental samples. Additionally, availability of a lab benchtop MiniSeq saves investigator time because core sequencing facilities have a typical wait time of 2 to 4 weeks before samples are sequenced. Thus, experimental quality can only be evaluated several weeks after the experiment is performed. With a readily available MiniSeq, quality control can be performed within 24h from completion of the experiment. Consequently, troubleshooting and replicate experiments can begin right away rather than waiting for 2 to 4 weeks, which greatly increases cientific efficiency and output. The MiniSeq will be used to study several aspects of aging. It has become abundantly clear that the immune system is dysregulated with age, leading to increased incidence of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious disease. Conversely, vaccination efficacy decreases with age, making susceptibility to infections a major cause of mortality associated with hospital admissions. The overall goals of the projects that will utilize the MiniSeq are to understand molecular mechanisms that underlie age-associated immune dysfunction. These studies will be carried out in mouse strains and in peripheral blood cells from human donors across a wide age range. Purpose and Objectives: This purpose of this requirement is to purchase a MiniSeq Sequencing System. The MiniSeq Sequencing System is an integrated lab benchtop system for generation of DNA clonal clusters by bridge amplification, sequencing and analysis; the system is used for genome-wide studies of chromatin structure and gene expression by deep sequencing. These methods have become a standard part of gene expression studies and, although sequencing costs have been reducing, such experiments are still time-consuming and costly when done in the core sequencing facility. The requested equipment will greatly increase the efficiency of scientific work for LMBI and reduce costs to the government by providing a relatively low-cost method to evaluate the quality of experiments before spending larger sums to carry out the complete analysis in the core facility. Availability of this instrument will permit the investigator to only spend the larger sums if experimental quality is sufficiently good to warrant being taken forward. At present this option is not available to investigators in our branch, with the result that a poor-quality result can only be ascertained after incurring time delays and large sequencing costs. Anticipated Deliver Schedule: Eight (8) weeks after receipt of order. Place of Performance: The place of performance shall be the National Institute on Aging location at 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224. Salient Characteristics: • Integrated system for automated generation of DNA clusters. The MiniSeq System features a simple, integrated, library-to-results workflow that enables sequencing of both DNA and RNA with minimal hands-on time. • Accessible Sequencing Affordable-to-acquire and cost-efficient to run, even with low numbers of samples • Push-button Operation and Easy Data Analysis Walk away library-to-results solution with onboard data analysis • Highly Flexible to Fit Research Demands Supports a broad range of DNA and RNA sequencing applications for examining single genes to entire pathways • End-to-End support for installation, training, and support, from assay design through data analysis. Anticipated Contract Type: A Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order is contemplated. The order shall be sourced via the Open Market on a single-source basis and is not expected to exceed $150,000. Capability Statement: Contractors that believe they possess the ability to provide the required services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contract Specialist. The capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) documentation of ability to provide the required equipment, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Contractors must also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. Interested organizations are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. All capability statements sent in response to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted to Fred Ettehadieh, Contracting Officer, via email at fred.ettehadieh@nih.gov before the closing date and time of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Note: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your 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, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The solicitation release date is pending. The Government anticipates negotiation of a firm fixed price purchase order.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIDA-01/HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-SBSS-2018-299/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Record
- SN04993505-W 20180718/180716231209-fe2c01b37c2d8238bb08451f8375fcab (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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