Reference Number: NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2011-317-CRS Title: iPSC-Differentiate Cells Along Various Cell Types THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION NOTICE. This is a combined synopsis / solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the format of FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The reference solicitation number is: NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2011-317-CRS. This solicitation is issued as a request for Proposal (RFP). This acquisition is being conducted under the procedures in accordance with FAR 13.3 Simplified Acquisition Methods, and FAR Part 13.5 - Test Program for Certain Commercial Items. The resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 05-53 August 04, 2011. The total contracted dollar amount, including options will not exceed $5 million. The acquisition is being conducted as Full and Open Competition. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this requirement is 541990, and the associated small business size standard is $7.0 Million. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of the NIH Center for Regenerative Medicine (NIH-CRM), intends to award a single, fixed priced contract for the purchase of the following services: iPSC-differentiate cells along various cell types. Background The National Institutes of Health Center for Regenerative Medicine (NIH-CRM) provides services to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intramural community to facilitate clinical translation of induced pluripotent stem cell technology. Purpose The NIH-CRM will provide, to the Contractor, starting stable induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), at a minimum concentration of 2 x 105. The Contractor shall differentiate cells along various cell types including, but not limited to, neural cells, cardiac tissue lineages, immune cells, and skeletal muscle. Cells shall express the appropriate markers which shall be quantified by the appropriate available test(s). The Contractor shall ship the cell lines overnight in appropriate packaging in order to maintain cell survival, at a minimum, in the range of 80-90% viability. Reporting A monthly progress report shall be delivered to the COTR which shall include notifications via email with regards to each of the following milestones: cell recovery and culture adaptation; efficiency of transfection and colony formation; colony expansion and characterization; cryopreservation and delivery. Deliverables Delivery of differentiated cell lines or tissues shall, at a minimum, be accomplished within 1-3 months of receipt of pluripotent stem cells. Mandatory Evaluation Criteria All protocols for providing such services shall be able to be converted to GMP-quality. Shipping of cells shall be sent overnight, with cell survival, at minimum, in the range of 80-90%. Technical Evaluation Criteria Contract Points Demonstrated successful generation of iPSC lines 30 Description of technology and protocols for iPSC line differentiation 30 Experience of staff 20 Milestone reporting 20 Total Points 100 All products generated will be proprietary to the NIH-CRM. An award will be made to the offeror whose proposal offers the best value to the Government. The technical proposal will receive paramount consideration in the selection of the offeror for award. All evaluation factors, other than cost or price, when combined are significantly more important than cost or price. The Government intends to evaluate the proposals and award the order without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a technical and price standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.The Government may reject any and all offers if such action is deemed necessary. The Government may also waive informalities and minor irregularities in the offers received. Only one (1) award will be made. The offeror's proposal must include itemized price lists of charges, complete description of services, complete address for invoice payment and purchase order delivery, prompt payment discount terms, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and certification of business size of the company. Note: In order to receive an award from NHLBI, contractors must have a valid registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov, and ORCA https://orca.bpn.gov/login.aspx. FAR provisions and clauses that apply to this acquisition are: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (JUN 2008); FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items (JAN 1999); FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (AUG 2011); FAR 212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (JUN 2010); FAR 52-212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (AUG 2011) is included with the following additional clauses: FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration (OCT2003); and FAR 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration (APR2008). The clauses are available in full text at http://www.arnet.gov/far. Quotations will be due ten (10) calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis or by August 29, 2011 9:00am, Eastern Standard Time. The quotation must reference Solicitation Number NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2011-317-CRS. All responsible sources may submit a quotation/proposal, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with the item specified in this synopsis should submit their quotation to the below address. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Blvd., Room Suite 6150B, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, Attention: Caitlin Savina. Emails will be accepted at savinacr@nhlbi.nih.gov.
