R499--Research OHSU Hamity (VA-21-00033881)

Page 1 of 1 The Department of Veterans Affairs, Iowa City VA Health Care System, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, with Oregon Health and Science University to provide expertise in identifying a new and much-needed therapy that will improve function in cancer survivors and, as a result, also improve their quality of life. Oregon Health and Science University has the specific expertise needed to conduct experiments to conduct studies of NR can prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies, hearing loss and painful dry eye. The investigative team at Oregon Health and Science University is nationally recognized for their expertise in quantitative analyses of afferent innervation of the corneal before and after nerve injury in rodent models of painful dry eye syndrome. This group has developed a unique approach to objectively quantify corneal nerve density using confocal microscopy and specialized software to analyze the images. They have published 2 articles in specialized journals using this methodology to quantify corneal innervation. The lead investigator is also an expert in the neurobiology of pain. Thus, the group at Oregon Health and Science University is unique in its ability to synthesize cornea morphology and pain. Although there are laboratories in Australia, France, The Cleveland Clinic and the University of Texas Southwestern that can quantitate corneal afferents, they do not have the concomitant understanding of pain mechanisms necessary to assist with interpretation of findings in the multidisciplinary award. For the reasons above, the VA initiated a collaboration with them now require follow on services to add to the data and expand this line of investigation for current research studies that are looking to determine if NR can prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies, hearing loss and painful dry eye. The continued use of their services is crucial to allow us to make efficient use of pilot data (and the animals that provided the tissue) by combining with the new data to maximize the impact of our research, as well as to ensure the consistency and rigor of our data analysis and interpretation. Going outside the Oregon Health and Science University would severely hamper the progress of research and impact the timeliness of research results. Any changes in the methods or vendor may result in errors that can be easily amplified at the very large-scale and result in serious cost overruns, delays or both. This is a notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Wednesday, February 24th, 5:00 PM, EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Lynn Portman at contact@example.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.