Adipokine assays of plasma specimens in PLCO Trail

Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS Suite 600, Room 6079, Rockville, MD 20852, UNITED STATES. Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics DCEG, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) plans to procure on a sole source basis with Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital of 3755 ch de la cote-Sainte-Catherine, Montr'al, QC H3T 1E2, Canada to measure levels of total adiponectin, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, and leptin in pre-diagnostic plasma specimens (200 - L aliquots) from cases of multiple myeloma (MM) and matched controls in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO). 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 621511 and the business size standard is $13.5 Million. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. The period of performance shall be twelve (12) months from date of award. There is increasing evidence that obesity is associated with an increased risk of multiple myeloma (MM); however, the underlying biological mechanisms for this association have yet to be elucidated. It has been hypothesized that circulating levels of adipokines, polypeptide hormones secreted by adipose tissue, may play a role in the mechanism of action by which excess body weight is associated with MM risk. The contractor shall (1) measure levels of total adiponectin, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, and leptin in pre-diagnostic plasma specimens (200 - L aliquots) from MM cases and matched controls in the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial; and (2) to evaluate the risk of MM in relation to the plasma concentration of each marker. NCI has determined that Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital (JGH) is uniquely qualified to conduct these assays. Although this is the first prospective study of adipokine levels and risk of MM, there have been previous NCI studies of adipokines and other types of cancer that are linked to obesity conducted by the JGH laboratory. The JGH laboratory has also previously assayed other obesity-related markers (e.g., IGF-1) for MM cases and controls from the PLCO Trial that are included in the present study. In order to characterize the risk of obesity-related cancers in relation to circulating adipokine levels and to make comparisons across different endpoints, it is essential that the assays measuring adipokines are consistent across studies. For the aforementioned reason, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital is the only known source for these assays. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party 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 11:00 AM EST on August 10, 2010. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax); an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI Office of Acquisitions to the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Miguel Diaz, Contract Specialist at miguel.diaz@mail.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) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-110108-MD on all correspondences.