A--Microarray Data Generation and Data Analysis

The United States Army Medical Research Activity (USAMRAA) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed-price contract; on a sole source basis utilizing Subpart 13.5 - Test Program for Certain Commercial Items with Beckman Coulter Genomics, 100 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite C, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560-9203. The required services entail the performance of 482 new anthrax subject male samples whole blood for mRNA Microarray extraction blood testing; 90 samples retrieval for mRNA microarray testing for bridging, and; 16 DNA extraction blood samples for genotyping, under Other than Full and Open Competition by the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1(c) (ii), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541711 - Research and Development in Biotechnology, and the size standard is 500 Employees. The sole source determination is based on the follow-on contract for the continued testing of subject male samples of whole blood. These services were awarded competitively to Beckman Coulter Genomics (formerly known as Cogenics, Inc.) in 2007, 2008 and 2009, for the subject female population in support of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases' (USAMRIID's) Research Project Number 07-18 entitled "Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA) - A Systems Biology Approach to Determining the Factors Mediating Safety and Immunogenicity." The primary objective of the award is to obtain written summary results of the metabolic profiling for the subject male testing, and hence, be able to accomplish an analytical comparison between the female and male evaluation reports. It is vital that the research project's results be scientifically sound, and therefore, capable of withstanding the greatest amount of scientific question and scrutiny. The testing and evaluation services may only be obtained directly from Beckman Coulter Genomics, which is uniquely qualified to perform all microarray and genomics tests, as well as data analysis since this company provided the exact same testing on the female population regarding this study a few years ago. The only way to ensure the consistency, uniformity and scientific merit of the tests is for Beckman Coulter Genomics to be the company to perform the testing analysis. The Government is unaware of any other source, other than Beckman Coulter Genomics, that can provide the exact same testing for the subject male as performed on the female population regarding this study. Minor differences in results of these kind of tests may occur between sources. Those small differences between vendor's techniques and analysis are enough to compromise the "science" end result. In addition, award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. USAMRAA intends to issue a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order to Beckman Coulter Genomics for the testing and evaluation of 482 male sample of whole blood unless other sources are identified before response date to this posting. The period of performance shall be for twelve months from the effective date of award on or about 26 September 2011 - 25 September 2012. This notice of intent is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ). An RFQ will be available for information purposes only no later than 9/13/2011. However, any interested party that believes it can meet the requirements may submit written notification to the contract specialist of their interest and bona fide capability to fulfill the requirements. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements listed. Any responses to this synopsis must be provided in writing and shall include evidence of qualifications, experience, past performance, and proposed cost to provide this type of services. Such information will be reviewed to determine if it is necessary to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. The due date to submit responses shall be Friday, 23 September 2011; 12:00:00 Noon PM Eastern Standard Time. Responses will be accepted ONLY by electronic mail to: contact@example.gov