Generation of toxic and non-toxic O. ovate and Alexandrium tamarensis culture extracts

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. THERE WILL NOT BE A SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. This notice is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources, particularly small businesses, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. USAMRAA (on behalf of USAMRIID) is seeking firms capable of providing toxic and nontoxic O. ovata and Alexandrium tamarensis culture extracts and, if necessary, additional toxic zooanthid extracts. Additionally, the contractor will be expected to provide technical guidance on palytoxin and its physiological effects on the animal models, saxitoxin dosing, and response analysis throughout the project. These support services may include: Extracts of toxic Ostreopsis ovata culture (WHOI) Extracts of nontoxic O. ovata culture (WHOI, as negative control) a) Maintain multiple toxic and non-toxic cultures of Ostreopsis ovata in laboratory cultures, with appropriate backups so that the strains are not lost. The culture facility must also have emergency power. Toxic strains must include NIES-3351 (s0752), and NIES-3353 (s0587). b) Grow, on a continuous basis throughout the project, 1-L batch cultures of Ostreopsis ovata in multiple 2.8 liter flasks, as well as in 17-liter volumes in 20-liter glass carboys, depending upon the rate at which biomass is needed for experiments. Growth rates should meet or exceed 0.25 divisions per day. Explore the use of semi-continuous cultures as a method to provide more biomass over time. Monitor the cell yield of all cultures through time, so each can be harvested at the time of optimal toxin production. Laboratory space and culture facilities must have appropriate safety precautions given the potent nature of palytoxin and the need to eliminate aerosol exposure. Demonstrate competence in maintaining dinoflagellate cultures over long intervals, and an ability to grow large volumes of toxic species on a safe and continuous basis. c) Harvest cultures on a continuous basis, freeze cell pellets, and send frozen pellets to project partners at USAMRID and FDA as needed. Pellets are to be stored at -80oC until shipment. d) Provide technical guidance on palytoxin and its physiological effects on the animal models throughout the project. Assist in planning all experiments, in analysis of results, and in publication of project findings. Travel to USAMRID for project meetings as needed. Extracts of toxic Alexandrium fundyense cultures (WHOI) Extracts of nontoxic Alexandrium fundyense culture (WHOI, as negative control) Extracts of shellfish containing a suite of saxitoxin congeners a) Maintain multiple toxic and non-toxic cultures of Alexandrium fundyense in laboratory cultures, with appropriate backups so that the strains are not lost. The culture facility must also have emergency power. Toxic strains must include those that produce the most toxic of the saxitoxin congeners. b) Grow, on a continuous basis throughout the first year of the project, 1-L batch cultures of A. fundyense in multiple 2.8 liter flasks, as well as in 17-liter volumes in 20-liter glass carboys, depending upon the rate at which biomass is needed for experiments. Growth rates should meet or exceed 0.25 divisions per day. Monitor the cell yield of all cultures through time, so each can be harvested at the time of optimal toxin production. Demonstrate competence in maintaining dinoflagellate cultures over long intervals, and an ability to grow large volumes of toxic species on a safe and continuous basis. c) Harvest cultures on a continuous basis, extract pellets, analyze with HPLC, and send extracts to project partners at USAMRID as needed. Extracts are to be stored at -20oC until shipment. HPLC analysis will be conducted to characterize the toxin composition profile (i.e., the concentration and relative abundance) of all saxitoxin congeners present. d) Obtain toxic shellfish and extract toxins. Characterize total toxicity and toxin composition profile using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). e) Measure toxin composition profile in mouse blood after exposure experiments using HPLC. f) Provide technical guidance on saxitoxin dosing and response analysis throughout the project. Assist in planning all experiments, in analysis of results, and in publication of project findings. Travel to USAMRID for project meetings as needed. These cultures are an integral part required to start a research project and the initial shipment will be expected within the first quarter of FY17. Any interested parties MUST be able to meet this schedule requirement. Upon review of industry response to this Sources Sought Notice, the Government will determine the most appropriate acquisition strategy for this requirement. All interested parties are requested to submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than 10 pages in length) to the contracting office. These packages must demonstrate each party's ability to perform the required services, as well as its prior experience with similar requirements. Responses are due on Friday September 23, 2016 by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this notice. Capabilities statements must be submitted electronically to SAMANTHA.L.CONNORS.CIV@MAIL.MIL. Questions regarding this notice should be addressed to Samantha L. Connors via email at SAMANTHA.L.CONNORS.CIV@MAIL.MIL.