NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Rho Federal Systems Division Statistical analysis of our microarray data

Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, SEA intends to award a sole source procurement Rho Federal Systems Division, Inc., 2635 E Nc Highway 54, Durham, NC, 27713 as they are the sole source for these types of products/services pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l ) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The award will be to purchase the following product/services: BASE PLUS 1 OPTION YEAR Statistical analysis of our microarray data - evaluation of peptide array data analysis methods, obtain complete set of array data collected to date. Evaluate existing software and methods of normalization, signal detection, outlier detection, and related analysis issues using these data. Modify and enhance methods as needed to optimize the detection of robust signals in the data and reduce the likelihood of false discovery. Rho Federal Systems Division, Inc. is uniquely involved in statistical analysis in the field of allergy. Both Rho and SRRC have time invested in a project to analyze the data obtained from a "big data" microarray project towards improving detection, diagnosis and therapeutics in food allergy. The continuity of research dictates that we use the same vendor throughout the research process to ensure data collected throughout is comparable. Therefore, we cannot switch vendors and risk false data results. It has become necessary to run this analysis again. And we foresee another evaluation in 3 months. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about September 10 ,2020, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This Notice of lntent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 2:00 PM central time, September 9, 2020. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the points of contact listed: Place of Performance: USDA ARS 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124 Primary Point of Contact: Shalunda S. Mix Contract Specialist shalunda.mix@usda.gov