Retrieve breast tissue blocks and medical data from breast cancer patients

Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Dr RM 1E144, Bethesda, MD 20852, UNITED STATES. Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI) plans to procure on a sole source basis with Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CHCAMS) 17 South Panjiayuan Lane, P.O. Box 2258, Beijing 100021 China to retrieve breast tissue blocks and medical data from breast cancer patients. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1). Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $7 million. It has been determined that there is no opportunity to acquire green products or services under this contract. Asian women seem to have a distinctive profile of breast cancer that differs from that seen in Western populations, such as earlier age at onset, more advanced stage, and higher frequency of ER-negative tumors. Disproportionally high rates among younger women are also seen among US-born Asian women, such as Chinese, Filipina, Indian, and Pakistani women. These findings suggest that Asian breast cancer may have a distinct etiology that is not fully explained by adapting westernized lifestyle. Large, population-based epidemiologic studies of characterizing molecular subtypes of breast cancer in Asian women are limited. In addition, Asian breast cancer shows great heterogeneity by population/ethnicity, geographic regions, and economic development. Incidence rates and tumor characteristics vary even within the same geographic area. Differences in both genetic and environmental risk factors may contribute to the variations. Identifying subtype-specific etiologic factors will facilitate our understanding of breast cancer etiology and in a long run will be helpful in risk assessment and stratification. CHCAMS is uniquely qualified to perform this work for the following reasons: 1) The primary goal of this study is to examine the impact of changes in exposures on breast cancer biology among Chinese women in Beijing, China, where reproductive trends have been rapidly changing and breast cancer incidence has risen in recent years. CHCAMS is among the largest and most well-known cancer hospitals in the northeast area of China where high rates in young women are observed, and they treat a large number of breast cancer patients each year. 2) Data and specimens will be obtained from breast cancer patients previously seen and treated at CHCAMS, and these resources are not available to persons outside CHCAMS without the expressed cooperation of CHCAMS (i.e., no commercial company would have access to the data or samples from these patients). 3) The current study is an expansion of a previous multi-center study conducted by CHCAMS which will add a tissue collection component, thus enabling the detailed molecular profiling analyses we need to accomplish our research. Thus, previous work at CHCAMS will allow us to take advantage of established infrastructure and resources instead of initiating a completely new study. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. 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. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI Office of Acquisitions on or before 11:00 AM EST on May 22, 2013. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax), an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI Office of Acquisitions at the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (240) 276-5401 or emailed to Erin Breedlove, Contract Specialist at breeerin@nih.gov. 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) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-130065-EB on all correspondence.