SOURCES SOUGHT
Q -- Cross-Species Transcriptional Characterization of Retinorecipient Neuronal Populations
- Notice Date
- 11/29/2023 7:03:22 AM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIDA Bethesda MD 20892 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- 75N95024Q00050B
- Response Due
- 12/8/2023 10:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 12/23/2023
- Point of Contact
- Shaun Rostad, Phone: 3015949516, Joshua T. Lazarus, Phone: 3018276923
- E-Mail Address
-
shaun.rostad@nih.gov, Josh.Lazarus@nih.gov
(shaun.rostad@nih.gov, Josh.Lazarus@nih.gov)
- Description
- This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. 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: The Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR) is currently engaged in an extensive project to characterize multiple retinorecipient brain regions across different lighting conditions using single cell transcriptomics. The analysis of large-scale, multi-modal data generated from these experiments requires specialized bioinformatics expertise. Experience with bioinformatics and transcriptomics are required. Extensive experience with single cell transcriptomics is required. Contractor would facilitate ongoing single cell transcriptomics projects in the SLCR, perform bioinformatics analyses and data preparation, attend virtual meetings with team members as required, and assist in the preparation of transcriptomics data for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The external light environment has a significant impact on innate mammalian behaviors such as circadian rhythms, thermoregulation, sleep, affect, memory, and learning. The retina is the primary environmental light sensor in mammals, and it conveys light information to the brain through retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are a specialized subset of photoreceptive neurons that modulate non-image-forming visual behaviors in the mammalian brain by projecting to more than 20 brain nuclei outside of the classical image formation system. While the projections of ipRGCs have been studied in detail, a comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular architecture of ipRGC-recipient brain regions is currently lacking. Additionally, light responsiveness in ipRGC targets can vary based on time-of-day and cell type-specificity. To better comprehend critical light-driven behaviors, it is crucial to understand the neuronal architecture of ipRGC-recipient regions and which neuronal populations in the brain respond to changes in illumination. In order to elucidate cell type diversity and light-response properties of ipRGC-recipient brain regions, SLCR is currently engaged in a large-scale effort to analyze gene expression in hundreds of thousands of cells from these regions using single cell RNA-sequencing. Such large data requires specialized bioinformatics expertise and the development of novel algorithms and analytical pipelines. Requirements: � � � � � � Interested organizations must demonstrate the required capabilities and in-depth knowledge in the areas listed below: Provide expertise in single cell RNA-seq experimental design and analysis; Provide expertise in transcriptional analysis of multimodal and cross-species data; Provide expertise in the use of bioinformatics analysis tools and algorithms; Provide assistance in the preparation of transcriptomics analyses for publication; Provide assistance in the organization of data and analysis pipelines in SLCR; and Provide expertise and prior work experience in a biomedical setting, with diverse types of scientists.� Written Documentation:� Activities will be documented through a written final report. The contractor is required to provide a written report at the end of the contracting period. The report shall cover all work completed during the contract period. This report shall also identify any problems that arose and a statement explaining how the problem was resolved. This report shall also identify any problems that have arisen but have not been completely resolved and provide an explanation. Authorships on resulting papers will be agreed upon in advance. Virtual Meetings: Communication will occur through regular email contact, and monthly virtual conference calls with the PI and other group calls as needed. Monthly calls will be organized by SLCR. These calls will be held to facilitate communication of progress and analytic plans. Capable Offerors must demonstrate their experience and ability to complete the requirements for this project. Anticipated period of performance: The anticipated period of performance, including any option periods, and project phasing is as follows: three (3) years, divided into one (1) base period and two (2) option periods. Instructions: Interested organizations shall demonstrate and document in the submitted capability statement extensive experience in the technical areas listed above. Furthermore, organizations should include relevant and specific information on each of the following qualifications: 1) Experience: An outline of previous similar projects, specifically the techniques employed in the areas described above. 2) Personnel: Name, professional qualifications of personnel with specific experience in the work requested and knowledge of, and experience in, the requirements outlined above. 3) Facilities and Tools: Availability and description of the facilities, tools, and equipment required to conduct this type of work. The Government will assess the appropriateness of professional and technical personnel classifications.� The Government will consider any other specific and relevant information about this particular announcement that would improve our evaluation of respondents.� Organizations should demonstrate capability to administer and coordinate interrelated tasks in an effective and timely manner.� Documentation may include, but is not limited to, contracts in which the organization performed equivalent tasks (Government and commercial); references, i.e., names, titles, telephone numbers and any other information serving to document the organizations capability; and awards or commendations. The established NAICS code is 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. The U.S. Small Business Administration establishes a size standard for 541690 of $19,000,000 or less in annual revenue. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement.� The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses under this announcement nor otherwise pay for preparing any information sent for the Government's use.�� All capability statements must provide the following: 1) company name and address; 2) point of contact; 3) phone/fax/email; 4) NAICS Code(s), 5) business size and status. Capability statements must be SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY NO LATER THAN 1:00 p.m. EST on DECEMBER 8, 2023 to the primary point of contact. The Subject line for the submission should include this Sources Sought Number. 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 a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. 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
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/2fef6231f33744a0a6f0a986707866f7/view)
- Record
- SN06898140-F 20231201/231129230059 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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