Continuation of the Development and Maintenance of a Long-Term Colony of Mutant Mouse Lines

The National Institute of Aging (NIA) intends to issue a solicitation on a sole source basis to Taconic Farms Inc, entitled "Continuation of the Development and Maintenance of a Long-Term Colony of Mutant Mouse Lines ". The proposed contract action is for R&D services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, responsible sources may express their interest by submitting a capability statement or proposal. All capability statement/proposals received within fifteen days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The purpose of this contract is to continue services currently being provided by Taconic Farms, Inc under contract number HHS-N-260-2004-0009. The contractor has developed, maintained and distributes a standing colony of aged mutant mice of defined genotypes, including genetically engineered and spontaneously arising mutations, for use by investigators in studies of aging. The word - mutant' is used here to refer to transgenic, knockout and spontaneously arising mutant genotypes. This colony has been developed and maintained within controlled and defined barrier environments where animals are monitored and characterized for disease status and markers of genetic purity. Each line of mice will be characterized for the specific mutation and control animals will be provided for some lines where needed. Four lines were obtained and it is estimated that between 300 and 600 mice per year will be entered into the aging colony for each line. - Ames Dwarf - Snell Dwarf - C57BL/6-tg (UBC-GFP)30Scha/J - B6;C3H-Tg (Prnp-SNCA)M83/Vle Tac Animals shall continue to be entered into the colony and animals shall be distributed to investigators, such that young animals enter the colony at approximately the same rate as older animals leave the colony due to distribution and normal attrition. The colony shall continue to be maintained behind two independent barriers, specific pathogen- and parasite- free, for the entire contract period. The two barriers do not need to be geographically separated. Both barriers shall specifically be helicobacter-negative. The purpose of colony division is to insure the survival of at least one half of the colony in the event of pathologic breach of a barrier, genetic contamination, mechanical failure of environmental maintenance systems, or accidental disaster such as fire, or flood. Total independence of colony segments therefore means separation of buildings, power systems and back-up systems, environmental controls (heat, air conditioning, and air filtration) and breeding stock. Each barrier shall have an independent back-up generator and alarm system in case of loss of power. Each colony segment shall be maintained solely within its barrier facility without intermingling. Environmental requirements to protect the colony from contamination prevent the transfer of the colony to a new contractor. As it would take 2-3 years to restart the colony from the beginning, re-deriving new foundation stock and building up the breeding colony to sufficient size to provide the requisite entry levels into the restricted colony, a responsible source would need to detail the existence of a similar colony of aged F344 rats currently available for NIA utilization. This information was previously advertised under sources sought announcement HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-RFP-11-149. The anticipated period of performance is five years. Disclaimer and Important notes: This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Confidentiality No proprietary, classified, confidential or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Current Information Place of Performance: Taconic Farms, Inc 273 Hover Avenue Germantown, New York 12526 Primary Point of Contact.: Tawanda Haynes-Brown, Contract Specialist haynest@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-443-6162 Fax: 301-443-0501 Secondary Point of Contact: Craig D. Sager, Senior Contracting Officer csager@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-443-1193 Fax: (301) 443-0501