NIH Tetramer Core Facility- RFP-NIAID-DAIT-NIHAI2011132

Introduction The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports research related to the basic understanding of microbiology and immunology leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases. The NIAID, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, has a requirement for continuing the NIH Tetramer Core Facility contract. The scope of activities to be conducted by the NIH Tetramer Core Facility Contractor include synthesis and distribution of soluble MHC-peptide tetramer and related reagents to the global research community, and performance of research and development to improve tetramer technologies and increase the types of products available to the biomedical research community. Such reagents include, but are not limited to, mouse, non-human primate, human, and other mammalian MHC class I monomers and tetramers; custom and pre-made mouse, non-human primate, human, and other mammalian class II tetramers; non-classical MHC TL, Qa-1, and mammalian CD1 monomers and tetramers; CD1d and other MHC ligands; and fluorophores for tetramer labeling/detection. Description The scope of activities to be carried out by the NIH Tetramer Core Facility Contractor is: synthesis and distribution of soluble MHC-peptide tetramer and related reagents to the global research community; and performance of research and development to improve tetramer technologies and increase the types of products available to the biomedical research community. Such reagents include, but are not limited to, mouse, non-human primate, human, and other mammalian MHC class I monomers and tetramers; custom and pre-made mouse, non-human primate, human, and other mammalian class II tetramers; non-classical MHC TL, Qa-1, and mammalian CD1 monomers and tetramers; CD1d and other MHC ligands; and fluorophores for tetramer detection. The major functions to be carried out by the contractor are: A. Operate a tetramer production facility B. Operate a distribution, tracking, and reporting system of reagents produced C. Maintain a NIH Tetramer Core Facility website and provide related maintenance D. Conduct tetramer technology research and development E. Manage the Tetramer Core Facility program While the NIH Tetramer Core Facility is responsible for providing ligands (peptidic and nonpeptidic) for all pre-made reagents (where required), the NIH Tetramer Core Facility is NOT responsible for supplying ligands for custom MHC Class I and II monomer and tetramer production. Ligands for custom monomer/tetramer synthesis will be provided by the approved requestors, where required. It is anticipated that one cost reimbursement term, level of effort contract will be awarded for a 1-year period of performance beginning on or about 3/1/2013. OPTIONS 1-6: EXTEND TERM OF THE CONTRACT. The Government may extend the contract period of performance by one year. The total period of performance resulting from base period plus exercising all term option years is seven years. If Options 1-6 are exercised, the services required will be the same as provided during the base year. OPTIONS 7-13: INCREASE IN LEVEL OF EFFORT. The level of effort may be increased by 2,254 hours up to 4 (four) times per year for a total increase of 9,016 hours in the contract base year and in each year in which Options 1-6 is exercised. Options will be evaluated with the base requirements of the statement of work. It is estimated that the provision of FTEs will be approximately 10.8. For this solicitation, the NIAID requires proposals to be submitted in three methods: (1) Paper, (2) Disc (CD or DVD), and (3) Online via the NIAID Electronic Contract Submission System (eCPS). The content of the paper, disc, and online proposals must be identical. Submission of proposals by facsimile or e-mail is not acceptable. For directions on using eCPS, go to the website https://ecps.niaid.nih.gov and then click on "How to Submit." To submit online using eCPS, offerors must have a valid NIH electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons account, which provides authentication and serves as a vehicle for secure transmission of documents and communication with the NIAID. The eRA Commons registration process may take up to 4 weeks. For more information, please see http://era.nih.gov/applicants/how-to_steps.cfm#register. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Agency. This RFP will be available electronically on/about 3/23/2012, and may be accessed through FedBizOpps http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted.