A--MUSC Service-Immunological Studies on T cell-medicated anti-cancer response

THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTICE OF THE VISN 7 CONTRACTING NETWORK'S INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE. NO HARD COPY OF THE RFQ IS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION. This notice is being published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.101(a)(1) dissemination of information on proposed contract actions. The Government anticipates entering into sole source procurement with Medical University South Carolina to perform immunological studies, including stimulation of the T-cell fraction of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells and testing the T-cell fraction for cytotoxicity against tumor cells. SEE ATTACHED SOW This announcement is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under FAR 6.302-1. Other persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement by March 29, 2016 at 4:30 PM CST. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all interest received on or before the date and time indicated above will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received as a result of the notice of intent will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No solicitation document is available. Statement of Work (SOW) This request is to establish a contract with the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston (SC), for services by Laboratory Staff to complete the proposed work. Analyses must be conducted by laboratories with highly specialized expertise in close proximity (within a 50 mile radius) to the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC so as to limit cost and specimen deterioration that occurs with shipping specimens to distant sites. Period of Performance: This will be a firm fixed price contract for a ten-month period from 1 April 2016 thru January 31, 2016 Place of Performance: The work will be performed at the Strom Thurmond Building, Room 547, Department of Otolaryngology, 114 Doughty Street, Charleston, SC 29403. Requirements: MUSC Department of Otolaryngology Laboratory Staff will be used to perform all of the immunological studies, including stimulation of the T-cell fraction of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells and testing the T-cell fraction for cytotoxicity against tumor cell targets. In addition to cytolytic assays, studies will also assess whether or not sensitization of T cells will be measurable through the following assays: " increased T cell proliferation in response to challenge with tumor cells; " increased Th1 levels (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells staining intracellularly for IFN ?) and the absence of Th2 (CD4+ or CD8+ T cells staining intracellularly for IL 4 or IL 10) or Treg (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) cells in response to challenge with tumor cells; " Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, as detected by intracellular staining for granzyme B followed by flow cytometric analysis for level of granzyme B expression as well as for the number of positive-staining cells. Laboratory Staff will be uniquely qualified to achieve the objectives stated as they have more than ten years of research experience in cellular immunology, scientific protocols administration, data collection, management and analysis of research data, and regulatory requirements associated with the target study. Daily responsibilities will include the following: " Co-ordinate bi-weekly meetings with Principal Investigator " Data collection and monitoring for above-referenced research project " Preliminary data analysis for the above-referenced research project " Record keeping for above-referenced research project, including maintaining lab notebooks and experiment folders Schedule/Milestones: Laboratory Staff will be required to achieve the following performance standards: " Gather and analyze information appropriately; establish and adhere to appropriate timetables for task completion; able to complete assignments which efficiently satisfy project requirements " Demonstrate knowledge of data collection, validation procedures and standards; and able to communicate same " Able to establish and adjust priorities as appropriate, monitor and report on completion of tasks. " Able to analyze, document, and resolve problems within a reasonable time period Acceptance Criteria: The achievement of the specific objectives and performance standards will be formally assessed and documented by Dr. Gattoni-Celli during the contract period. The contractor will report bi-weekly to the project PI related to the specific project. The PI will inform the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) regarding the achievements of the contractor in relationship to the stated objectives. Vouchers must contain the date of service, invoice number, PO number, Amount due a description of the service and/or a description of the product, and the amount being charged for that service/product. Other Requirements: The vendor shall provide a Problem Identification Report to the PI within a reasonable amount of time whenever a problem is identified that may compromise the outcome of the desired service or cause a delay in delivery of the desired service. The Report will identify and describe the specific problem encountered. END OF STATEMENT OF WORK