An Integrated Approach to Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The NIAID, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has a requirement for additional labor effort to demonstrate the utility and value of systems vaccinology for malaria vaccine development with the benefits of established non-human primate (NHP) model systems, validated assays for in-depth immune profiling, and established computational infrastructures for large scale systems biology data analysis and modeling. DESCRIPTION: The NIAID intends to modify contract #HHSN272201200031C, with Emory University, entitled "An Integrated Approach to Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions" to increase the quantity of labor hours delivered to the Government by 7,800 hours through the remainder of the current contract. This contract was awarded using full and open competition, with an initial Base Period of September 30, 2012 to September 29, 2013; and included four one-year Option Periods for a total potential performance period through September 29, 2017. The total potential value of the contract, inclusive of Options, is $19,458,981. This research and development effort aims to demonstrate the utility and value of systems vaccinology for malaria vaccine development utilizing experiments with established NHP model systems and irradiation attenuated P. cynomolgi sporozoites to identify molecular signatures associated with immunity and protection. This work will build upon the large body of systems biology data generated under the existing contract regarding natural course of infection, immunity and pathogenesis in Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkeys) infected with P. cynomolgi sporozoites (multiple strains) as a model for the widespread human malaria pathogen, P. vivax; assays and panels established and validated on the existing contract for in-depth immune profiling, including panels for assessing cellular phenotypes in macaques, innate cells and multiplex cytokine assays with a panel of custom-defined molecules; and ready access to cohorts of healthy malaria na�ve rhesus macaques on a daily basis and at selected times for blood testing of clinical, parasitological and immune response parameters. This work will consist of experiments that involve immunizing Macaca mulatta with irradiation-attenuated P. cynomolgi sporozoites to identify molecular signatures associated with immunity and protection. Clinical baseline, immunization and post-challenge data using multiple high-throughput omics technologies will be generated. Omics data analysis and integration will be performed as well as in-depth immune profiling to assess changes in frequencies and activation status of approximately 30 cellular subsets comprised of neutrophils, monocytes, Bcells, dendritic cells, and Tcells. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. Emory University possesses the facilities, resources, and expertise that make it uniquely qualified to perform this work. Having developed an extensive systems biology infrastructure for running longitudinal studies using an established Plasmodium cynomolgi infected rhesus macaque model, with established mathematical and computational models and iterative experimentation capabilities, experiments conducted under the existing contract have produced unique, specific data allowing for retrospective analyses and iterative experimentation to manipulate a spectrum of host immune responses. No other source has been found that possesses all the necessary elements to perform the services in a way that would satisfy NIAID's requirements. Award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. This is not a request for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. A Research and Development Sources Sought Notice was posted on November 13, 2015 as HHS-NIH-NIAID-RDSS-16-NIHAI2016HP1. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Interested parties may contact the points of contact referenced in this announcement.