Immunotox - Two 12-Month Extensions

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The purpose of this announcement is to notify all interested parties that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) intends to extend Contract HHSN273201400017C with Burleson Research Technologies, Inc. on a sole-source basis pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The objective is to extend the term of the contract with the award of two (2) 12-month options. This extension will ensure continuation of mission critical research while the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) procurement team continues the to pursue the re-competition of these services under a new cost reimbursement contract. This notice is being published by NIEHS in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.201 and 5.204 requiring notice of a proposed contract action. This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. The statutory authority for this sole source action is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Award is subject to approval of the Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A). BACKGROUND The Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) uses in vitro and in vivo models of health and disease to evaluate the effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents, as well as non-chemical stressors, on the immune system. The objective of this R&D contract is to provide a mechanism to evaluate the complete scope of immunotoxicity by determining: 1) whether chemical or therapeutic agents can modulate the immune response using a battery of in vitro tests to measure immune suppression or stimulation in response to human-relevant antigens; 2) whether chemical agents have the potential to induce allergic responses using in chemico and in vitro OECD guideline test methods for skin sensitization as part of an integrated panel of tests and; 3) evaluate the potential of a test agent to modulate immune function using a comprehensive in vivo testing panel that evaluates the major components of the immune system in the developing rat and/or adult mice or rats. In addition, because immunology is a developing science, it is expected that development and validation of new and improved methodology will be required to maintain "state of the art" testing efforts. Burleson Research Technologies, Inc. is considered the only contractor that has a comprehensive understanding of the current technologies used at NIEHS and can meet the NIEHS and DTT's needs during the (2) 12-month options. Award to another source during the same period of performance would result in substantial disruption, unnecessary costs to the Government, and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements and could not be expected to be recovered through competition. By utilizing the incumbent contractor for this sole source action, the NIEHS can continue day-to-day operations and avoid disruptions to mission essential work. Once the Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A) is approved, this action will add by modification options to extend the period of performance of contract HHSN273201400017C for (2) 12-month options. The revised period of performance for the 1st option will be from August 13, 2024, through August 12, 2025 and the 2nd option from August 13, 2025, through August 12, 2027. This extension will increase the contract value accordingly. The current contractor, Burleson Research Technologies, Inc. is considered the only contractor that can meet the NIEHS and DDT's needs during the extension's period of performance. Notwithstanding the stated intent, if firms believe they can fully meet the Government's requirement they may submit a written capabilities statement (NOT TO EXCEED 3 PAGES). The capabilities statement must contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement and must be received by the response date listed in this posting. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NIEHS will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. Questions regarding this notice can be sent via email to Adam Muhsin at adam.muhsin@nih.gov. ONLY EMAIL RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Thank you for your interest in NIEHS Procurements.