Analysis of Three Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

INTENDED SOURCE: Vanderbilt University Medical Center. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: December 28, 2016 - March 27, 2017 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Research Triangle Park, NC DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT: This contract action is for the acquisition of services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority and procedures of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.106. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Office of Acquisitions (OA) intends to award a single source purchase order to the Eicosanoid Core Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S Ste D3300 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232, for the acquisition of the analysis of three oxidative stress biomarkers in 1229 urine samples as a mediator of environment exposure impacts on fertility endpoints. Services can only be acquired from Eicosanoid Core Laboratory, as they are the only known laboratory that has optimized methods for measuring the potentially important F2-isoprostane metabolite in a high throughput manner. The anticipated period of performance will be for a three twelve (12) months. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541380 "Testing Laboratories" and a size standard of $15,000,000.00. The purpose of this oxidative stress as a mediator of environmental exposure impacts on fertility endpoints study is to investigate the association between 1) phthalate exposure and oxidative stress biomarkers; 2) the relationship between oxidative stress and semen quality; and 3) the relationship between oxidative stress and antral follicle count, an indicator of female fertility. The contractor shall receive shipment of urine samples (n=1,229) from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and store at -80 degrees C until analysis; analyze 1,229 urine samples for concentrations of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2?, 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-15-F2t-isoprostane (primary F2-isoprostane metabolite), and prostaglandin F2? via established gas chromatographic/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric (GC/NICI?MS) methods (see Milne et al. 2007) using appropriate quality control procedures; re-freezing and storage of urine samples at -80 degrees C until analysis of all samples is complete; quality control and assurance checks of collected data; transfer of clean data to NIEHS; shipment of remaining sample volume back to NIEHS. NIEHS will solicit and negotiate directly with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and no written solicitation will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotations; however, all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All interested parties must express their interest in writing via email to teresa.mccall@nih.gov within ten (10) days after the date of publication of this notice. No faxed documents will be accepted. If no responsive statements are received within ten (10) days, an award will be made to Vanderbilt University Medical Center