NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research

This is a sources sought synopsis. This is not a Request for Proposals. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, on behalf of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is conducting a market survey to assess the availability and technical capability of small business firms to perform this requirement. The applicable NAICS Code is 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees. It is anticipated that one award will be made by August 2011 for a period of one year, with six one year option periods. The NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research is currently housed at the Coriell Institute in Camden, New Jersey. Several major NHGRI research projects have required, and will continue to require, the collection, transformation, storage, maintenance, and distribution of human DNA samples and cell lines. A central sample repository is needed to perform 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. Capability Statements will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: 1. Evidence of the firm's status as a small business under NAICS code 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees. 2. Ability to maintain, store, and distribute existing samples, DNA, and cell lines. 3. 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. 4. Ability to prepare, store, and distribute high-quality DNA samples from cell lines, and distribute fosmid clones. 5. 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. 6. Ability to monitor compliance by requestors with policies on human subject protections and distribution of samples. 7. Ability to publicize the repository's collection. 8. Ability to establish and maintain community outreach with the communities that provide the samples. 9. Ability to comply with other special requirements that may arise. If an interested small business believes it can perform the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must demonstrate the ability to perform the tasks as described above. All responses must be received in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NHGRI to determine if the small business is capable of performing this requirement (responses should not exceed 20 pages including attachments). Responses providing insufficient information will not be considered. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), nor is an RFP available. Statements of capability must be received at the following address (or by email as a Word document or PDF) no later than 4:00 pm local time, September 17, 2010: 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, 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.