Analysis of the genomic methylation status of hPSC and iPSC

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) The solicitation number is 75N95019Q00166 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This acquisition is for a commercial item and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-02, dated May 6, 2019. (iv) The associated NAICS code is 541380 and the small business size standard is $15M. This requirement is full and open with no set-aside restrictions. Description (v) The Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (STCL) in the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires analysis of the genomic methylation status of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) and their differentiated progeny - trophectodermal cells, and time course analysis of the genomic methylation status and open chromatin regions during induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation to astrocytes. The required services include: - Methylation analysis methods: MeDIP Sequencing - using next-generation sequencing to determine the methylation status of selected genomic loci or genome-wide. Methylation is a prominent mechanism of silencing genes and creating a tissue-specific pattern of gene activity. - ATAC seq: This assay provides genome-wide profiles of open and accessible regions of chromatin that are indicative of active regulatory regions. This assay will help provide mechanistic insight into gene regulation, and cellular response to compounds used to differentiate stem cells into astrocytes. These services will be utilized by NCATS to study the epigenetic profiles of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) and their differentiated progeny - trophectodermal/trophoblast cells and astrocytes. The data obtained will be used to construct a high-resolution "map" of the genomic and epigenomic landscape that controls human pluripotency and trophectodermal, and neuroectodermal/astroglial, differentiation. See the attached Statement of Work for a full description of project requirements. (vi) The period of performance is twelve (12) weeks, including receipt of all deliverables. The 12-week period of performance will begin when the contractor receives the samples from the SCTL. The contractor will likely, but is not guaranteed to, receive the samples within 30 days of order. (vii) The Government plans to award a contract resulting from this solicitation. The award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations: Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Comparative evaluations will be conducted. (viii) The anticipated award date is Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Provisions and Clauses (ix) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998). This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.acquisition.gov. The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: - The provision at FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018) - The provision at FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Jul 2016) - The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (Oct 2018) - The provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Oct 2018) (x) The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998). This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.acquisition.gov. In addition to the clauses checked in FAR 52.212-5 (attached), the following clauses also apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: - The clause at FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018) - The clause at FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Jul 2016) - The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (Oct 2018) - The clause at HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employement Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015) (xi) The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are attached in full text: - Addendum to the clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (Oct 2018) - The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Jan 2019) - NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (2/2014) (xii) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. (xiii) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. (xiv) Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, product or catalog number(s); product description; what the warranty covers; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance; special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations. The Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must be received by 8:59am EDT on Monday, June 24, 2019, and reference solicitation number 75N95019Q00166. Responses must be submitted via email to Kimberly Espinosa, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov, with a copy to Jeff Schmidt, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov. (xv) The name and telephone number of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation is Kimberly Espinosa, Contract Specialist, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov. (xvi) All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.