Custom 10x Genomics Visium/Space Ranger Spatial Transcriptomics Analysis Services in HIV-Related Malignancies.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch (HAMB) plans to procure, on a sole source basis, custom spatial gene expression services, i.e., the mapping of the whole transcriptome and custom Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) in its morphological context, on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples to study specific viral infections and associated diseases in patient biopsies from: Regents of the University of Michigan 1058 Wolverine Tower - Orsp 3003 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340 The response close date of the notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1) and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 and the business size standard is $19M. The HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch (HAMB) requires spatial profiling services of the whole transcriptome from FFPE tissue samples, utilizing the 10X Genomics Visium CytAssist workflow and 10X Genomics Space Ranger data analysis tool. Plus, the integration of custom viral sequence probes, provided by HAMB, into this workflow. Under previous award 75N91021P00900 the Advanced Genomics Core facility/Regents of the University of Michigan performed novel assays for both human and viral gene expression analysis using spatial transcriptomics using a combination of human and custom viral primers. The current requirement is a continuation of this line of NCI research and Contractor services, exploiting these assays with cancer samples to investigate human and viral gene expression in Kaposi sarcoma biopsies. It is critical to use the same laboratory, equipment, tissue sample handling approach, quality control approach, and data processing to ensure the scientific comparability of the new data with the previous data. Any deviation from the proposed acquisition strategy would result in the NCI being unable to combine the results provided under the subsequent award with the results provided under the previous awards, as the findings would not be scientifically comparable. Finally, this is the contractor with a unique combination of having extensive experience with spatial transcriptomics of FFPE samples and incorporating custom viral primers. The data from these analysis services will be integrated with previous data sets which were generated through the Visium workflow. The use of another vendor could introduce any technical variability in the processing of precious clinical samples, which needs be minimized. If variability occurs, it will jeopardize a successful data integration, therefore compromising the study. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party, especially a small business, believes it can meet the Government's needs, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient details to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Elizabeth Vitucci, at elizabeth.tucker@nih.gov no later than 12:00 P.M. EST on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (06/18/24). 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 for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government reserves the right to use the information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. To receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV. Please reference the notice number 75N91024Q00131 on all correspondence. ***Please reference attached Statement of Work for more details pertaining to the nature of the work to be performed.***