Custom Work Cutting of Paraffin Sections from Existing Blocks

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-SBSS-2018-091 Title: Custom Work Cutting of Paraffin Sections from Existing Blocks NAICS Code: 541714 - Research and Development in Biotechnology (Except Nanobiotechnology) Classification Code: A - Research & Development Description: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background/Purpose and Objectives: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Diabetes Section has recovered highly unique 45-year-old brain specimens from an old clinical trial. NIA consider these specimens to be a scientific treasure with potentially important implications for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimers disease. NIA intend to perform multiple immunohistochemistry assays on these brain sections after they are sectioned and slides are made. These specimens are formalin-fixed blocks used a unique "hard" paraffin (containing a plastic) to embed. These old techniques and materials used to embed these specimens are very different than modern techniques, creating highly unique challenges for sectioning without damaging or losing the precious tissues. We have examined numerous options for sectioning these tissues extensively within NIA, at external Universities (including Hopkins) and in private companies, including providing small pilot samples for test sectioning. Of these, the only option that is willing and able complete the sectioning in an efficient manner on the scale that is needed without extensive sample loss is Neuroscience Associates. The quote for sectioning 50 samples is attached. Please let me know if any additional information is needed. Anticipated period of performance: The period of performance shall be six (6) months from date of award. No option periods are required. Place of Performance: The place of performance shall be the National Institute on Aging location at the Bayview Biomedical Research Center (BRC) located at 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224. Project Requirements: The Contractor shall custom work cutting of paraffin sections from existing blocks. Anticipated Contract Type: A Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order is contemplated. The order shall be sourced via the Open Market on a single-source basis and is not expected to exceed $150,000. Capability Statement: Contractors that believe they possess the ability to provide the required services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contract Specialist. The capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) documentation of ability to provide the required equipment, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Contractors must also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. Interested organizations are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. All capability statements sent in response to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted to Fred Ettehadieh, Contracting Officer, via email at fred.ettehadieh@nih.gov before the closing date and time of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Note: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The solicitation release date is pending. The Government anticipates negotiation of a Firm-Fixed price purchase order.