Custom Sequencing

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REQUESTED. It is the intent of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to issue a purchase order on a noncompetitive basis to Agencourt Bioscience Corp. 500 Cummings Center, Suite 2450, Beverly, MA 01915 to perform custom sequencing of patients DNA sample for mutations in the genes involved in the following rare diseases and disorders: alkaptonuria, ARPKD, ADPKD, Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome and albinism. In order to provide patients prognosis, anticipation for development of symptoms and possible treatment options it it important to identify the gene defect. The vendor will perform PCR amplification, sequencing, validation of results, and will make all data available through a secure website. The vendor will provide the following: - Primer design and validation - will work with the NHGRI principal investigator to design and validate primer-sets for amplification and sequencing of specific genes if needed. - Custom PCR and Sequencing - The NHGRI princiapl investigator will provide batches of patients DNA (between 6 and 70 genomic DNA samples at once). The vendor will perform PCR amplification, followed by DNA sequencing in a high-throughput sequencing system. - Results - The sequencing results will be posted on the secure website for not more than 3 months, in that time the NHGRI researchers can transfer the results to their own files for analysis and storage. - Data Analysis Support - The vendor will provide ad-hoc queries and access to the data set for all of the data retained in their central, data repository. The period of performance of the contract award will be for one year beginning September 30, 2008 through September 30, 2009. The sole source determination is based upon the fact that the vendor has optimized primer design and validation for each of the 5 diseases being studied and serviced this institute for the last 3 years. The current sequencing projects are part of ongoing studies under various current protocols. To make award to another vendor at this time would be inefficient. The government would incur additional cost through up-front set up cost. In an effort to maintain continuity of protocols already in progress the Government intends to make award to Agencourt Bioscience. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541990 and the Size Standard is $6.5M. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and is exempt from the requirements of FAR part 6, Competition Requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this notice. All responses should include a firm fixed price; documentation of the capabilities of meeting the government requirements; at least three references documenting successful past performance in meeting Government minimum specifications; a proposed delivery schedule; prompt payment discount terms; the DUN & Bradstreet number (DUNS); the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); and the offeror's business size. The submission will be evaluated on the content of the above documents. The offeror must also register in the Government's Contractor Registry System, Note: www.ccr.gov. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct future competitive procurements. Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-PB-HG-2008-269-KLW may be submitted by mail to the National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute, Procurement Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6042, Bethesda, MD 20892-7902, Attention: Kesha Williams, by fax transmission to (301) 480-3345 or by email to williamk@nhlbi.nih.gov all responsible sources may submit information, which if received timely, shall be considered by the agency.