Measurement of selenium, mercury, iron, zinc, chromium and scandium in nail samples (244 esophageal cancer cases and 244 controls) from the Golestan Cohort, Iran

Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E54, Bethesda, MD 20892, UNITED STATES Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Nutritional Epidemiology Branch (NEB), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), plans to procure on a sole source basis services for the measurement of selenium, mercury, iron, zinc, chromium and scandium in 488 nail samples (244 esophageal cancer cases and 244 controls) using a "short" neutron activation analysis procedure, with the University of Missouri Research Reactor, 1513 Research Park Drive, Columbia, MO 65211. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisitions procedures as stated in FAR Part 13 13.106-1(b)(1) and is exempt for the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 and the business size standard is $14 million. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type contract. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The period of performance is for twelve months from time of award plus one twelve month Option Period. The Nutritional Epidemiology Branch (NEB), a Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI conducts intramural research in areas related to nutrition, metabolism and cancer which are aimed at lowering human cancer risk. Focus areas of the NEB's research include cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal cancer causes over 380,000 deaths per year and ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, just after breast cancer. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) strongly predominates in developing countries and still accounts for 80% of all esophageal cancer cases in the world. Many of these cases occur in high-risk areas with sharp geographic boundaries within China, Iran, and a small region spanning several countries in South America, and parts of Africa. Thus, to investigate this hypothesis in one of the NEB's studies in Iran, the NEB will measure nail selenium, mercury, iron, zinc, chromium and scandium levels in nail samples from 488 people from the Golestan cohort study. Next, the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) has developed a method ("short" neutron activation analysis procedures) of accurately analyzing trace elements in small nail samples. And, to the knowledge of the National Cancer Institute, there have been no other studies published in the literature that have quantified trace and ultratrace elements with this low sample volume. Thus, based on these facts, the NEB intends to sole source these requirements to MURR, as it is the ONLY known source that can supply the products required for this procurement. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party especially a small business, 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 18, 2015. Note: electronic capability statements will be accepted via . email or 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 Gwennifer Epps, Contracting Officer 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) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), through sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number N02CP52635-83 on all correspondence.