Acquisition of 10 grams of Oxo-63 Paramagnetic Agent

Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive RM 1E142, Rockville, MD 20892. Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Radiation Biology Branch (RBB), plans to procure 10 grams of OXO 63 paramagnetic tracer on a sole source basis with GE Healthcare, 3200 N. Grandview Blvd., Mail Code WT-897, Waukesha, WI 53188. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System code is 325998 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. Delivery shall be made within two (2) months of award. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The Biophysics Spectroscopy Branch in the Radiation Biology Branch (RBB) is currently developing new imaging modalities to study physiological responses of tumors and normal tissues to radiation and chemotherapy drugs. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI) is a technology which has been under development by RBB and is now a routinely used method in pre-clinical studies in mouse models of human cancer to screen drugs and serially follow tumor response to treatment. EPRI is a magnetic resonance imaging technique which utilizes injecting a paramagnetic tracer in the experimental animals and conducting imaging experiments to generate maps of tissue oxygen. Since imaging experiments need the tracer for these studies, the tracer needs to be non-toxic and remain in circulation for the duration of the imaging times. The paramagnetic tracer Oxo 63 ((tris[8-carboxy-2,2,6,6-tetrakis (2-hydroxymethyl)benzoyl[1,2-d']bis(1,3)dithio-4-yl]methyl radical) is a tracer the NCI has been using in all of NCI's small animal imaging studies. Acquiring this material ensures continuity in NCI's experimental research. The NCI is in need of 10 grams of Oxo63 material for in vivo EPR Imaging studies in mouse models of human cancer to evaluate tumor physiology and its response to treatment using radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Tissues imaged using the above imaging techniques will be further studied using immunochemistry techniques to identify which molecular pathways are active and responsible for In vivo signatures. The proposed contractor, GE Healthcare, is the only manufacturer capable of manufacturing this material at the quantity and quality needed for NCI studies. This compound is a patented product and available solely from GE Healthcare. Thus, GE Healthcare is the only known source to manufacture the material needed to accomplish the NCI's mission. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI Office of Acquisitions on or before 11:00AM EST on 07/23/2013. All responses questions must be in writing and can be faxed (240)276-5401 or emailed to Afua Serwah- Asibey, Contract Specialist at afua.serwah-asibey@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), through sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NO2RC32512-59 on all correspondence.