Eggs for Schistosomiasis

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.101(a)(1) requiring the dissemination of information regarding proposed contract actions. This is a Notice of Intent to award a sole source, firm-fixed price purchase order under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901(e), as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and 13.501(a) - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Service Will Satisfy Agency Requirements and is not a request for competitive quotes. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis (sole source) with American Foundation for Biological Research (AFBR) DBA Biomedical Research Institute (BRI), 9410 Key West Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850-1807. This acquisition will obtain services to maintain the lifecycle of Schistosoma mansoni, strain Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI), and provide investigators with the egg stage of the parasite life cycle. Schistosoma eggs are used in murine models to investigate inflammation; host immune responses to egg antigens; and induction of granulomas. The eggs are utilized for in vitro assays and for in vivo experiments, in which the eggs may be delivered intraperitoneally or intravascularly. If the Schistosoma eggs are not received, the lab will not be able to continue the research and the resources would have to be abandoned, causing harm to the Government. Delivery to Bethesda, Maryland 20892 with a full period of performance of a base year that includes four (4) one-year option periods from date and acceptance of award. The Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases (LPD) has a requirement to obtain services to maintain the lifecycle of Schistosoma mansoni, and to provide investigators with the egg stage of the parasite life cycle. The contractor shall harvest and deliver once per month to the NIH, eggs of Schistosoma mansoni, strain NMRI, as directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). For planning purposes, the minimal annual quantity of eggs shall be 1,200,000. The Contractor shall make every effort to deliver 100,000 eggs on the 1st or 3rd Thursday of each month, or on an as-needed basis, between 10 am - 1 pm, within the following guidelines: 1. Eggs shall be delivered to the NIH within 1 hour of the liver isolation protocol to insure viability. 2. Eggs shall be kept chilled on wet ice and/or delivered in a chilled insulated shipper to maintain egg viability as well as reduce hatching. Additional Quantity Options: The Government may exercise options for an additional 50,000 eggs per month at the most two months/year (total of 100,000), that may result from unanticipated increases in demand. Should the Government elect to exercise these options, the Contractor shall provide resources for the unanticipated increase of up to 50,000 additional units per option. Two (2) options for 50,000 eggs each will be included in the base and all option periods. The LPD has been experimenting with Schistosoma mansoni eggs from BRI. To reproduce and continue the research, the same source must be used. The eggs of Schistosoma Manasoni, strain Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI), must be used to provide consistency in the LPD testing. This is to ensure that the best possible comparison between existing data and to avoid using other potential eggs (non-NMRI strains) from vendors that are not Biomedical Research Institute (BRI). If the lab does not continue to use the same source, the data can become compromised and not valid. These types of studies are prone to error and introducing more errors, can change the source of the eggs and make the data useless. In order to maintain the consistency in variables within experiments and ensure the best possible comparison between the existing and new data, is to source eggs from BRI. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, which has a size standard of $19.5 Million. Biomedical Research Institute (BRI) is an other than small business. This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy this requirement. The Government plans to award a contract for this requirement within 30 days of this notice. While this synopsis does not constitute a solicitation, interested vendors may identify their interest and capability to satisfy this requirement. The Government understands that Biomedical Research (BRI) Institute is the only vendor which can provide the required services for NIAID. However, firms that believe they can provide the capability required to fully meet the Government's requirement may submit a capabilities statement, including past performance, in writing to the identified point of contact within 8 days after publication of this notice (Tuesday, July 9, 2024). Such documentation shall be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. For additional information or to submit responses please contact Daveta H. Brown at daveta.brown@nih.gov, (subject line to reference:( NOI-NIAID-24-2207098), by 1:00 pm eastern daylight time on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow NIAID to determine if it can meet the above specifications described herein. All responses received by the closing date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any responses received by NIAID after this date and exact time specified is late and will not be considered. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for any information provided in 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.