Analytical Tools for Image Formation and Reconstruction

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Radiation and Radiology Branch is anticipating the award of a contract to GenEspria Consulting Inc., on a sole source basis to procure services in support of the Radiation Biology Branch. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1 (b)(2) and 13.501-(a)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541690 and the size standard is $15 Million. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. There are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this acquisition. The period of performance will be for one year from award date. The Radiation Biology Branch (RBB) is involved in developing methods to profile tumors on a physiological basis so that it will allow profiling the tumor microenvironment to choose appropriate treatments and also follow treatment responses at an early stage. Additionally RBB is conducting experiments in large cohort of mice exposed to ionizing radiation to follow the incidence of carcinogenesis. Urine samples collected periodically during the life span of these mice are analyzed for metabolites at pre-irradiation, post irradiation at the pre-malignant and malignant stages. The metabolite profiles with capability of predictive biomarkers of cancer were identified. These findings will be validated in a new cohort of mice. With a set of such predictive biomarkers, early therapeutic interventions can be provided at earliest stages for treatment. Such strategies can be implemented for human use. The contractor shall provide the following services: a) Integrate EPR Oximetry suite for EPRI at 400 MHz frequency. b) Implementation of novel pulse programs for EPRI using waveform generator. c) Real time visualization of FT-EPRI imaging at 400 MHz.Algorithms for Co-registration of images scanned by 400 MHz EPRI with other modalities. d) Oximetry by T2* mapping using single SPI-EPRI acquisition at 400 MHz. e) Implementation of PETRA encoding for EPRI at 400 MHz. f) Statistical analysis of gut microbiota 16S sequencing data of mice on Tempol feed. g) Validation of Radiation Induced Metabolite changes in mice using Metabolomics assays. GenEpria Consulting Inc. specializes in developing algorithms for optimization of data acquisition in Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI), co-registrations of EPRI with MRI, and statistical analysis of Microarray and Metabolomics data. GenEpria has successfully completed previous assignments with RBB on similar approaches in this field. Dr. Gadisetti, of GenEpria is an expert in this area with published record. GenEpria is familiar with the FT-EPR imager developed by RBB, CCR, NCI, has extensive knowledge in FT-EPRI algorithms routinely applied at RBB and the ability to augment additional software features for operation and processing of results. GenEpria previously developed custom made algorithms for co-registration among MRI, EPRI and other modalities for the use with oximetry from EPRI and anatomic and functional images obtained from MRI at 7T. Genepria Consulting is the only company which has developed these tools for EPR imaging. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small business believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a proposal or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses must be received in the contracting office by 11 AM EST, on October 2, 2015. All responses and questions must be in writing and emailed to Elizabeth Shanahan at eshanahan@mail.nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement 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. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov. Reference: 15-050232 on all correspondence.