"Sectioning of the fixed rat brain with a cryostat (14um)

SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Notice Number: HHS-NIH-NCI-SBSS-TSB-0139-04 Title: "Sectioning of the fixed rat brain with a cryostat (14um)" This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small businesses, or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This requirement is assigned NAICS code 621511 with a size standard of $32.5 million. The Government intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with FD Neuro Technologies, P.O. Box 785, Ellicott City, MD 21041 This is not a request for competitive quotes. If you believe your firm is able to provide the product as described below, please provide the information as requested in this Small Business Sources Sought Notice. Description: The Treatment and Branch Support, of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) proposed to procure Cryosectioning, Mounting and Immunohistochemistry (MOR1, NeuN and ENK) for 40 Rat Brains for The National Center for Complementary and Integrative (NCCIH). Background: The National Center for Complementary and Integrative (NCCIH) is dedicated to exploring complementary and Integrative healing practices in the context of rigorous science; training complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) researchers; and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. To fulfill its mission, the NCCIH supports a broad-based portfolio of research, research training, and educational grants and contracts, as well as various outreach mechanisms to disseminate information. Purposes and Objectives: Cryostat sections (14 ?m) will be cut coronally through 2 levels of the cerebrum containing the cingulated cortex area 1 (cg1), starting at Bregma 2.52 mm, and the thalamus, starting at Bregma -3.72 mm (cf. the Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates by Paxinos & Watson, 2007). 10 sections will be cut from each level and a total of 20 sections per brain will be directly mounted onto 10 proteinase-resistant microscope slides (PO102, 2 sections from 2 levels on each slide). After air-drying for up to 2 hours, sections will be placed in a slide box and an airtight plastic bag with desiccants and stored in a -80'C freezer before further processing. Subsequently, 5 sections from each level of each brain will be processed for triple immunefluorescence labeling according to the protocol provided (2/12/15) or according to their method based on the indirect immunefluorescence method of Coons with the specific antibodies that you will be provided. 5 sections from each level of each brain will be processed for triple immunefluorescence labeling. Following washes in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS), sections will be incubated in PBS containing BSA, blocking serum, Triton X-100, and 3 specific antibodies (MOR1, NeuN and ENK) for 19 - 43 hrs at 4'C. This will be followed by incubation of sections in PBS containing 3 separate secondary antibodies conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 594, and Alexa Fluor 350 (InVitrogen). All above steps will be carried out at room temperature except indicated, and each step will be followed by washes in PBS. After thorough washes, all sections will be coverslipped by using Vectashield without DAPI (Vector Labs). Capability Statement/Information Sought: Immunohistochemistry with certain antigens can be challenging and requires antigen-specific tissue handling and processing methods. Here we are requesting a triple label of brain tissue with two uncommon antigens (ENK and MOR1) that have unique tissue processing needs. Provide a capability statement that establishes the expertise and experience necessary to process tissue specifically for the project. The capabilities statement must provide the requirements as listed herein and proof that you are capable of providing the services required. Anticipated Period of Performance: Delivery shall be made within 90 days after award. Other Important Considerations: - Include taxes, shipping and handling/customs fees and special handling instructions. - Include descriptive literature, warranties, and /or other information that demonstrates the ability to meet the above specifications. Information Submission Instructions: 1. Page Limitations: Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement not to exceed ten (10) single sided pages including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc. (single spaced, 12 point font minimum) that clearly details the firm's ability to perform the aspects of the notice described above and in the draft SOW. Tailored capability statements should also include an indication of current certified small business status; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of your capability statement (preferably placed under the eligible small business concern's name and address) as well as the eligible small business concern's name, point of contact, address and DUNS number. 2. Number of Copies: One (1) electronic copy of the capability statement submitted electronically (via e-mail) to Dawn Albertini, Contracting Officer. 3. Delivery Point: Electronic copy of the capability statements sent in response to this SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT notice must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to Contracting Officer Dawn Albertini, at Dawn.Albertini@nih.gov in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The e-mail subject line must specify HHS-NIH-NCI-SBSS-TBS-0139-04. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. 4. Common Cut-off Date: Electronically submitted tailored capability statements are due no later than 09:00AM (EST) on April 16, 2015. CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. DISCLAIMER AND IMPORANT NOTES: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).