Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Calorically Restricted Rodent Colony

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA), intends to negotiate, under authority of FAR 6.302-1, on a noncompetitive, sole source basis, with the Charles River Laboratories, Inc. for the project entitled, "Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Caloric Restricted Rodent Colony". 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. This effort will be for a four-year performance period. The Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Caloric Restricted Rodent Colony is in accordance with the authority 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1(a) (2) (ii). Presently, Charles River Laboratories houses these rodents in barriers to prevent contamination of the colony with disease organisms that would negatively impact the research for which the animals are provided. Precautions include filtering of the air going into the barriers, positive pressure in the barrier rooms to prevent mixing of air between barriers, requirements for staff to shower in and out of the barriers, and sterilization of all materials going into the barriers. No animals are returned to the barriers after leaving the barriers. For these reasons, the existing colony cannot be transferred to a new Contractor. If another contractor were to be awarded this contract, the entire technological infrastructure would need to be developed. The environmental requirements to protect the colony from contamination preclude the transfer of the colony to a new contractor. It would take 3-4 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 caloric restriction aging colony. The research funded by the NIA requires a consistent supply of aged rodents and a 3-4 year gap in availability of the animals would have a serious effect on NIA-funded studies. The Charles River Laboratories has the unique capability to provide the required services to NIA for the Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Caloric Restricted Rodent Colony. BACKGROUND: Contract HHSN260200400003C was awarded in 2004 to develop and maintain a colony of genetically-defined calorically-restricted rat and mouse strains, for a 9-year period. Since contract initiation, the Contractor has acquired breeding stock for two inbred strains of mice and two inbred strains of rats, re-derived the stock and provided the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) with documentation of the cesarean derivation and genetic history of the foundation stock for the aging colony. The breeding and aging colonies have been developed for one inbred mouse strain, one hybrid mouse strain, one inbred rat strain and one hybrid rat strain, and animals have been distributed to the research community as requested. Presently, the Contractor maintains a colony of approximately 3,000 rodents housed in two barriers. The purpose of this follow-on sole source award is to continue services that are currently being provided by the Charles River Laboratories until the renewal contract colony is fully developed and all ages are available to the research community. Breeding in HHSN260200400003C will cease when the renewal contract colony begins entering into the caloric restriction aging colony, but the colony in HHSN260200400003C will be maintained and provided to the research community as requested until the animals are gone or the termination date of this extension is reached, whichever comes first. OBJECTIVE(S): The colony under contract number HHSN260200400003C was developed and maintained within controlled and defined barrier environments where animals are monitored and characterized for disease status and markers of genetic purity. The objectives of this contract requirement are to 1) analyze shipping patterns in contract number HHSN260200400003C; 2) cryopreserve embryos from the rat strains in contract number HHSN260200400003C; and 3) maintain and distribute the standing colony of aged, genetically defined, calorically restricted rodents for use by investigators in studies of aging until the renewal contract colony is ready to distribute all ages. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: The primary tasks for this acquisition include: A) Breeding Colony Maintenance; B) Maintenance of the Aging Caloric Restriction Colony; C) Feeding Protocol; D) Environmental Requirements; E) Colony Evaluation and Monitoring; and F) Shipment of Animals to Investigators. REPORTS/DELIVERABLES: The following reports will be required: A. Semiannual Progress Reports; B. Weekly Census Reports; C. Quarterly Health Monitoring Reports; D. Reports of the results of the semiannual genetic monitoring of the breeding colonies; E. Postmortem Reports; and F. Final Report. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code will be 1122990 with $.75 Million. This proposed acquisition was previously publicized under sources sought notices HHSNIHNIDA(AG)-RDSS-12-164 and HHSNIHNIDA(AG)-SBSS-12-164. The estimated contract award date will be on or about August 2012.