NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), on behalf of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to solicit and negotiate on a non-competitive basis with only one source, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. Coriell is located at 403 Haddon Avenue Camden, NJ 08103. The cited authorities are 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1 and HHSAR 306-302-1. The anticipated period of performance is a one year base period with six one year option periods. Coriell was awarded a contract in 2006 on a non-competitive basis to perform as the NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research. For all of the samples that are already in the repository and that will be submitted to the repository over the next year, the consent forms explicitly state that the samples would be stored at the Coriell Institute and maintained at that facility for an indefinite period of time. All of the samples collected were collected without names or other individual identifiers (anonymous), making it impossible now to return to the donors to seek a new consent allowing the samples to be maintained at a different facility. The samples have been genotyped and sequenced and have become a valuable central resource for studies of disease and genetic variation, and are widely used by the broad scientific community. Using new samples would lose the value of the hundreds of millions of dollars already invested in the genotyping, sequencing, and studies of these samples. Thus, in order to duplicate the sample collection currently available at Coriell, NHGRI would have to collect new samples from the donor communities. In addition, inherent duplication of costs to the Government and unacceptable delays in completing the project make competition unfeasible for this requirement. As a result, this project will continue the collection, transformation, storage, maintenance, and distribution of human DNA samples and cell lines. Coriell currently performs these functions which are used by many U.S. and international scientists who conduct research related to these projects or that builds on these projects. NHGRI requires support for a Repository to perform the following basic work: (1) store, maintain, and distribute cell lines and DNA samples, and clones from fosmid libraries, (2) transform samples into cell lines, and (3) maintain and store the HMP blood samples. Organizations having demonstrated experience in performing the above requirements are invited to submit capability statements. Capability statements must document the following: (1) ability to maintain, store, and distribute existing samples, DNA, and cell lines, (2) ability to work with groups collecting blood samples to facilitate the transfer of samples and taking in new samples (including cell lines from other places), establish and characterize permanent cell lines from these samples, and maintain and distribute these cell lines, (3) ability to prepare, store, and distribute high-quality DNA samples from cell lines, and distribute fosmid clones, (4) ability to maintain a computerized, comprehensive database providing detailed information on each cell line and DNA sample, and provide a web-based electronic catalog that lists the cell lines and DNA samples, any pre-formed sets of samples, and information about the samples in an easily accessible form, (5) ability to monitor compliance by requestors with policies on human subject protections and distribution of samples, (6) ability to publicize the repository's collection, (7) ability to establish and maintain community outreach with the communities that provide the samples, and (8) ability to comply with other special requirements that may arise. Capability statements submitted in response to this notice that do not provide sufficient information for review will not be considered. This is NOT a Request for Proposals (RFP), and responses should NOT include budgetary information. Respondents to this notice shall provide capability statements (original and three copies) no later than 3:30pm EST on November 1, 2010 to the following address: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, Rockledge II - Room 6213, 6701 Rockledge Drive - MSC 7902, Bethesda, MD 20892-7902 (use 20817 for express mail), Attention: Kelli Broda, Contract Specialist. Capability statements may also be emailed (as a Word document or PDF) to Kelli Broda at: brodak@mail.nih.gov. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. 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.