Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS Suite 600, Room 6068, Rockville, MD 20852, UNITED STATES. Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI) plans to procure on a sole source basis with University of Maryland School of Medicine, 801 West Baltimore St, Suite 638, Baltimore, MD 21201 for DNA extraction and rRNA gene PCR amplification. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1). Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 and the business size standard is $12M. Period of performance is for twelve months from time of award and then four option periods thereafter. It has been determined that there is no opportunity to acquire green products or services under this contract. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) will study how the microbiota, which is essential for human health, modulates the risk of cancer. Using fully validated protocols of the Human Microbiome Project, the contractor will extract DNA from the specimens provided by NCI, amplify microbial 16S rRNA sequences in the DNA specimens, sequence the 16S rRNA amplicons with NextGen (Illumina HiSeq2000) assays, and clean and edit the sequences prior to delivery to NCI. NCI will integrate the results with other data from the several studies. NCI collected skin, oral, vaginal, penile and colonic samples at 2 time points, which is enrollment and 6 months later. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques NCI will evaluate inter-individual differences in the oral, skin, vaginal, penile and colonic microbiome (using samples collected at baseline), to characterize intra-individual changes in the microbiome over time (comparing baseline and 6 month samples) and to evaluate the effect of self-reported antibiotic use, diet and behavioral factors on the skin, oral, vaginal, penile and colonic microbiome, and within time across sites (comparing baseline samples across sites). The deliverables would be as followed and repeated each option period. 1. DNA extraction for 200 human stools and 200 other human specimens. 2. 16S rRNA gene amplification. 3. Next Generation sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons with the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform. 4. Cleaning and editing of 16S rRNA sequences. 5. Sequence data will be delivered to the NCI Investigator within one month of completion of sequencing. UMSM has identified optimal conditions for the collection, handling, transportation, and freezing of fecal specimens from participants in NCI-led research studies. They have identified optimal methods for the extraction of microbial proteins, DNA and RNA from the NCI's specimens, and they have provided comparable 16S rRNA sequence data from fecal specimens that had to be shipped overnight. All of these activities have been highly successful, as documented by timely and accurate reports. For the specimens to be analyzed under the new procurement, the data must be directly comparable to data previously generated from the initial technical and reproducibility studies mentioned above. These include, for example, two of the pilot studies to be supported - postmenopausal women with breast cancer and adults in Uganda - entail specimens shipped some distance. University of Maryland School of Medicine is uniquely qualified to provide this service. UMSM will be performing highly technical laboratory work, 16S rRNA NextGen sequencing with the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform, using DNA derived from NCI specimens that are currently being collected or are in its freezers. Performing 16S rRNA sequencing at a different facility or organization would jeopardize and potentially invalidate NCI's research projects. Based on these critical technical criteria, the UMSM is the only qualified vendor. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI Office of Acquisitions on or before 11:00 AM EST on August 15, 2012. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax), an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI Office of Acquisitions at the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed
+1 (555) 000-0000 or emailed to Erin Breedlove, Contract Specialist at
contact@example.gov. 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 be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-120095-EB on all correspondence.
