A--Pathogen Functional Genomics Resource Center (PFGRC)

The Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports research related to basic understanding of microbiology and infectious diseases. This is a recompetition of an existing contract. The Microbiology and Infectious Diseases-1 Research Contracts Branch (MID-1 RCB) of the Contract Management Program (CMP) of the Division of Extramural Activities (DEA), NIAID is seeking capability statements from small business organizations with the technical expertise and facilities to support the Pathogen Functional Genomics Resource Center in the following areas: Gene Expression Analysis: Produce and provide gene expression analysis reagents, functional genomic data, and other resources, including high quality, high density cDNA or oligonucleotide-based microarrays, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and validation of the reagents that are high throughput and cost-efficient. This includes producing DNA microarrays for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and larger eukaryotic protozoan parasites and invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases, multi-organisms and host response genes, and, RNA or DNA as controls for hybridization assays. Whole Genome Functional Expression Clones: Provide high throughput resources and reagents for large-scale clone production for open reading frames derived from microorganisms and invertebrate vectors of diseases, specified by the NIAID Project Officer, using recombinational cloning technology or other appropriate technologies. Microbial Comparative Genomics and Genotyping: Provide, conduct, and maintain platforms for microbial comparative genomics, resequencing and genotyping of microorganisms. These platforms shall be used to generate reference functional genomics data for the scientific community including at the genome wide scale to identify and validate SNPs and other genetic variations or polymorphisms in a diversity of strains and/or closely related species at the DNA sequence level. The identification of the genetic variations may be related to phenotypic characteristics, such as disease severity, pathogenesis, infectivity, and others. This work shall include nucleic acid amplification, labeling and hybridization methods, microarray based resequencing (with greater than 90% base calling and quality score greater than 30), comparative functional genomic hybridization, and SNP discovery and validation assays. Proteomics Analysis: Provide state-of-the-art proteomics resources required for a proteomics production scale pipeline that is focused on cloning, protein expression, protein purification, and generating high quality protein arrays for studying infectious diseases. Conduct comparative protein profiling of microorganisms to generate reference data for the scientific community including protein fractionation and separation, and analytical techniques such as protein solubilization, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy platforms as LC-MS/MS matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight (LC-MALDI-TOF MS). Quality Control of Reagents and Tools: Provide for quality control of reagents. Quality control includes assays and evaluation of reagents. Storage and Processing Facilities and Equipment: Provide facilities and equipment to receive and store reagents, including those that are potentially hazardous, in a way that will maintain their activity or viability. Identification, Acquisition and Production/Expansion of Reagents: Actively and independently, identify and acquire reagents that are not readily available and produced at the PFGRC. Prioritize acquisition based on the needs of the projects supported by the contract, the needs of the scientific community, availability, and cost. Receipt and Distribution of Functional Genomic Reagents: Ship and receive reagents, ensuring the assumption of the shipping costs by the recipient whenever possible. Consult with and provide training for the scientific community associated with infectious diseases, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and functional genomics. The Government anticipates a single award. It is anticipated that the duration of the contracts will be a maximum of five (5) years; however, the length of time for which funding is requested should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed research. Interested Small Business organizations should submit two (2) copies of their capability statement addressing the areas cited above. No submission shall exceed a maximum of 25 1-sided pages in a 12-point font. No collect calls will be accepted and no facsimile transmissions will be accepted. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR TO AWARD A CONTRACT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THE NAICS CODE IS 54171 WITH A SIZE STANDARD OF 500 EMPLOYEES OR FEWER. See contact information above.