Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E226, Bethesda, MD 20892, UNITED STATES Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Radiation Oncology Branch plans to procure custom microarray design from Genus Biosystems, 1808 Janke Drive, Unit M, Northbrook, IL 60062. The purpose of this acquisition is to investigate radiation induced expression of non-coding RNAs in mini pig model after exposed to whole body irradiation. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated 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 500 employees. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. It will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. It has been determined that there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The Radiation Oncology Branch (ROB) exists to plan and conduct pre-clinical and clinical research on the biologic and therapeutic effects of radiation administrated alone or in combination with other modalities of treatment; to develop novel technology and imaging based approaches for radiation oncology; to investigate the natural history of disease to understand and evaluate means of diagnostic assessment for the purpose of optimizing treatment selections; and to provide radiation therapy as well as general oncology consultations for patients admitted to other Clinical Research Center (CRC) clinical services, in a collaborative approach. By testing the signature microRNAs, mRNAs, and lncRNAs in mini pig model, the NCI will determine whether the orthologs of these previously identified non-coding RNAS have similar response in mini pigs, as in the previously studied mouse model. This will confirm if the integrated signature is translatable across species. Such data could also be useful to other groups developing biomarkers. The NCI will identify radiation induced global miRNAs/mRNAs/lncRNAs expression pattern after a range of doses and time points in whole body irradiation in a mini pig model. A specific functional miRNA expression signature which was identified before in a mouse model will be validated along with its predicted target genes and lncRNAs. Second, the NCI will test whether organ specific lncRNAs associated miRNA and mRNA profile reflects the whole blood miRNA profiles in response to irradiation. The organ-specific biomarkers may be relatively low in abundance therefore it may be informative to analyze them specifically. Ultimately, a combined approach of identifying plasma-based biomarkers by assessing functional miRNA, target mRNAs and lncRNAs to assess radiation exposure after mass-casualty incidents could provide a valuable tool in developing and implementing effective and timely medical countermeasures. This information could be translated to clinical radiation oncology. Blood samples from the mouse model have already been collected and stored for validation experiments. Currently, there are no commercially available microarray chips for porcine on the market for miRNA, mRNA microarray experiments including the latest long non-coding RNA probes. This request requires the contractor to design an array based on the mini pig whole genome sequencing (WGS) first, and then design and synthesize a custom Gottingen Mini Pig specific miRNA/mRNA/lncRNA array. GenUs uses unique and proprietary protocols and systems to provide highly sensitive and reproducible results of gene expression studies for total RNA starting quantities of as little as 50 picograms. GenUs BioSystems is the only known vendor that provides high performance microarray metrics for sensitivity, dynamic range, and reproducibility with extremely small amounts of starting material. Their service includes gene expression profiling: consisting of amplification of RNA, hybridization to microarrays, and data. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses must be received in the contracting office by 5:00 PM EST, on March 27, 2017. All responses and questions can be emailed to Kimesha Leake, Contract Specialist via electronic mail at
contact@example.gov. 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 solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) through sam.gov. Reference: N02RC72533-24 on all correspondence.
