B -- Protein Microarray Chip Fabrication, Porbing and Analysis

This is a combined/solicitation Notice of Intent for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 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. The solicitation number for this acquisition is NOI8188 and the solicitation is being issued as a Notice of Intent on a sole source basis. This solicitation document and its incorporated provisions are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC 2005-23). This acquisition will be processed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and is not a Small Business Set-Aside. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) intend to procure an order from ImmPort Therapeutics Inc for Protein Microarray Chip Fabrication, Probing and Analysis for immunological research. A total of 1344 plasma samples from 224 malaria exposed individuals between 2 and 25 years of age that was collected from the peak of malaria transmission (4 month timeframe) will be supplied by the lab. The contractor will probe a specific set of Plasmodium Falciparum protein microarray containing the full set of 2320 available proteins. The immunodominant antigens from this initial analysis will be consolidated on a smaller microarray chip. The small microarray chip will contain several hundred proteins that will be used to probe the remaining 1120 plasma samples (224 individuals at five month timeframe) for the consolidated arrays. The contractor exact constructs and concentrations of each antigen proteins must be available. The contractor will analyze each sample and provide a report to the lab. The contractor results must consist of the following: (1) determine the pattern of antibodies that correlate with protection from malaria, (2) the kinetics of malaria antibodies through a malaria transmission season, (3) acute infection, (4) the stability of malaria antibodies during a period of relatively little malaria transmission, (4) the relationship between age and antibody repertoire. The following factors for the analysis to be reliable and timely: (1) price, (2) quality, (3) availability, (4) prompt delivery of 75 microarray chips. The North American Industry Classification System (NIACS) Code for this acquisition is 541380, and the small-business size standard is $11.0 million dollars. This is a firm fixed-price contract and the FOB terms are Destination and Net 30. FAR provisions and clauses that apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, Commercial Items; FAR 52.225-1, Buy American Act-Supplies; FAR 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration; and FAR 32.703-2, Availability of Funds, FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than Central Contractor Registration. In order to be considered for an award, an offeror must have completed the online electronic Representations and Certifications located at http://orca.bpn.gov/ in accordance with FAR 4.1201(a). By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the CCR at www.ccr.gov/ prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation [Note: Lack of registration in the Central Contractor Registration will make an offeror ineligible for award.] All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by the Agency. Offers must be submitted no later than 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, January 24, 2008. For delivery of responses through the Postal Service, the address is NIH/NIAID/AMOB, 10401 Fernwood Drive, Suite 2NE70, Room 2NE38E, MSC 2811 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4812. E-mail and Fax submissions are not authorized. Requests for information concerning this requirement must be submitted in writing, and can be faxed to 301-480-0469, or e-mailed to whitear@niaid.nih.gov. It is the vendors responsibility to confirm receipt of all quotations and/or questions by the closing date of this announcement by contacting Arlene White at 301-402-5770. Collect calls will not be accepted.