Opioid Narcotic Reversal Data in Working Dogs

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS Opioid Narcotic Reversal Data in Working Dogs THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP or Request for Quotation (RFQ). Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission other than acknowledgment of receipt, IF the submitter requests an acknowledgement. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. At this time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Office of Health Affairs (OHA) is not seeking proposals or quotations. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. INTRODUCTION The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Food, Agriculture, & Veterinary Defense (FAVD) is conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of Naloxone in working dogs to counteract opioid overdose and exposure. During the course of daily operations, narcotic working dogs have the potential to be unknowingly exposed to opioids including fentanyl in a narcotic investigation. Understanding the characteristics of Naloxone to reverse opioid toxicity is critical to managing life threatening incidents. To assist with preparedness from the potential risk of opioid exposure, it is essential that FAVD be able to provide DHS Components with working dogs medical guidance. Publication of data regarding specific medical knowledge is not available and must be researched under specific conditions. This information would be helpful to inform decision makers on the medical guidance for the use, safety, and efficacy of naloxone in working dogs. PURPOSE OF THIS RFI FAVD is interested in collecting market research information regarding the current capability and feasibility to obtain relevant data that would describe the use, safety, and efficacy of naloxone in working dogs. FAVD is interested in learning from research institutions what is needed to obtain specific medical knowledge needed to provide detailed medical advice for naloxone use in working dogs used in the detection of narcotics. 3.1 Desired Capabilities Through this RFI, FAVD is seeking market information to determine existing capabilities of research institutions that would provide research support in detection working dogs and meet the following capabilities: - Access to several scent detection working dogs on site specifically used for scent detection for public health. - Ability to test olfaction prior to and after narcotic administration. - Ability to collect and analyze data by subject matter expert with extensive experience working with scent detection working dogs. - Ability to obtain and analyze blood samples for PK/PD study. - Working dogs used are trained on the calibrated compound, naloxone. - Subject matter expert is board certified veterinarian and principle investigator affiliated with a university with expertise in scent detection research. Information pertaining to these capabilities and requirements should be provided in a detailed technical description, which includes: - Detailed description and assessment of timeliness, reliability and consistency. - Narrative describing any techniques, methodology, equipment, and facility required to complete PK/PD capability and reporting. - Narrative describing how the subject matter expert is qualified to provide the desired capabilities listed above. The Government shall be granted a Government Purpose Rights (GPR) license to: i. Receive, process, and store the information pursuant to the accessible data; ii. Use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data within the Government without restriction; and iii. Release or disclose technical data outside the Government and authorize persons to whom release or disclosure has been made to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose that data for United States government purposes. 4.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Contents and format: The electronic copy of responses is to be in Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Word 2007 or Adobe Acrobat 9 compatible format using Times New Roman, size 12 font, with one inch margins. Responses are limited to seven (7) pages including executive summary. The Cover Page does not count toward this page limit. Following a review of the responses received, FAVD may elect to request additional information, or schedule one-on-one meetings with some respondents to gain additional information about their proposed solution(s). Submissions should include: a. A Cover Page containing the following: i. Heading "Opioid Narcotic Reversal Data in Working Dogs;" ii. Name of performer (Company or Government Agency); iii. Performer address; iv. Technical Point of Contact (POC), telephone number, email address; v. If applicable, your company's socioeconomic status under the appropriate NAICS codes; and vi. If the service is available on GSA and the appropriate GSA number b. An Executive summary. i. The executive summary must describe what methodology is provided in the PK/PD study, and how this technique will provide the medical knowledge used for guidance capabilities using naloxone to reverse opioid toxicity. c. Technical product description. 5.0 SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS: Electronic questions to this notice are to be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Heather Poindexter, at Heather.Poindexter@hq.dhs.gov, and the Contract Specialist, Christiane Schmidt, at Christiane.Schmidt@hq.dhs.gov, no later than April 21, 2017 at 4:30 pm EST. Electronic responses to this notice are to be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Heather Poindexter, at Heather.Poindexter@hq.dhs.gov, and the Contract Specialist, Christiane Schmidt, at Christiane.Schmidt@hq.dhs.gov, no later than April 28, 2017 at 4:30 pm EST. The subject line of the email should contain the RFI number and the words "Opioid Narcotic Reversal Data in Working Dogs." (End of Request for Information)