Pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies: associations between sex steroid hormones and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics Branch (DCEG), Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch (HREB) plans to procure on a sole source basis the analysis of (10) sex-steroid hormones from Bioanalytical Services, Laval University, Canada, CHUQ Research Center, 2705, boul. Laurier, room T3-48, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisitions procedures as stated in FAR Part 13 13.106-1(b)(1) and is exempt for the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 and the business size standard is $14.0 million. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. Note: The period of performance shall be for twelve months from date of award. The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) is a research program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Division is the world's most comprehensive cancer epidemiology research group. The Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch (HREB), is a program within DCEG, which conducts research to identify groups at high risk of cancer, clarify the natural history of various cancers, understand the interactive effects of genetic and environmental factors on cancer risk, and elucidate biologic mechanisms of carcinogenesis. To identify risk factors for hormonally-related tumors, HREB assess: reproductive and family history, endogenous hormones, exogenous hormones (oral contraceptives and menopausal hormones), hormonal correlates of risk, and conditions related to marked hormonal perturbations, such as infertility and endometriosis. The one year procurement will utilize pre-diagnostic serum samples from male esophageal adenocarcinoma patients (n=271) and matched male controls (n=271) from three prospective studies, the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO), the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study (ATBC), and the Cancer Prevention Study (CPS). The HREB will assess ten sex steroid hormones. The quality control samples will be composed of 10% of the total which is 50. Thus, in total, there will be 592 serum samples, each of at least 0.3 ml volume to be used for quantitation of the following sex steroid hormones: i. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) using GC-MS ii. Androst-5-enediol (Delta-5diol) using GC-MS iii. Androstenedione (4-dione) using GC-MS iv. Progesterone (prog) using GC-MS v. Testosterone (T) using GC-MS vi. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) using GC-MS vii. Androsterone (ADT) using GC-MS viii. Estrone (E1) using GC-MS ix. Estradiol (E2) using GC-MS x. 5alpha-androstan-3beta-17beta-diol (3?-diol) using GC-MS Laval University is the only known laboratory that can quantitate these 10 sex steroid hormones using gold standard technologies (GC-MS or LC-MSMS for each hormone analyte, using a total volume of just 0.3 ml of serum per subject, with coefficients of variations less than 10% for each analyte at a total cost of $255 per sample, and have demonstrated experience of such analyses though several peer-reviewed publications. In addition, NCI wishes to combine these new results with previous analysis that was also conducted at this laboratory. In order to eliminate lab-to-lab variability, the best use of the government funds would be to conduct this second analysis at the same laboratory. This will provide additional confidence in comparing hormone values across datasets. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party especially a small business, believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which will be considered by the agency. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. All questions, quote, and/or the capability statement must be received electronically (via email) to Ms. Gwennifer Epps, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) by June 4, 2015 no later than 11:00 AM EST. No telephone calls or facsimiles will be accepted. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), through sam.gov. Please reference solicitation number N02CP52586-83 on all correspondence.