Whole Genome Sequencing: The intergenerational Impact of Genetic and Psychological Factors on Body Mass Index Study on African Americans

Notice of Intent to Sole Source HHS-NIH-OD-OLAO-SS-19-009 National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Resource Center Title: Whole Genome Sequencing: The intergenerational Impact of Genetic and Psychological Factors on Body Mass Index Study on African Americans. Contracting Office Address: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations (OLAO), Office of Acquisitions (OA), Research and Development (R&D) Section, 6011 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852. Introduction: This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source, in support of Research and Development (R & D). 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 businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your response to this 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 under NAICS code 54712 should not submit a response to this notice. Background: The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is one of the 27 Institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is to promote and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations. NINR supports and conducts clinical and basic research and research training on health and illness across the lifespan to build the scientific foundation for clinical practice, prevent disease and disability, manage and eliminate symptoms caused by illness, and improve palliative and end-of-life care. NINR's research programs, both extramural and intramural, incorporate a broad range of interdisciplinary approaches designed to promote scientific exploration that will lead to better health outcomes and health services. Such approaches include clinical intervention studies; translational and implementation research. The Joseph's lab investigates the complexity of the interplay of biological and behavioral components in addressing symptoms and managing medical problems relevant to nursing science, with a special emphasis on metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. The main focus of the laboratory is to understand the role of sensory science in metabolic disorders and use this information towards the development of novel treatments. Furthermore, the laboratory is interested in the interplay between metabolic disorders, sensory-related pathways and brain diseases, in particular alcohol and substance use disorders. Each year, over 200,000 people visit a medical provider for chemosensory problems such as taste and smell disorders. When smell-taste perception is distorted and poorly treated, altered eating may still occur thus worsening health outcomes. Dr. Joseph and her group are conducting pre-clinical, clinical and translational studies that aims to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and management of chemosensory disorders and symptoms. Dr. Joseph's laboratory is leading research that is aimed at enhancing the understanding of molecular, cellular, neural, and behavioral mechanisms underlying symptoms to identify new targets for treatment and improve symptom management strategies. Additional information about Dr. Joseph's research is available on the NINR website: https://www.ninr.nih.gov/researchandfunding/dir/dr-paule-v-joseph Purpose and Objectives: In collaboration with the University of New York, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, the main objective of this research project is to gain mechanistic insight into the genes/biological pathways associated with obesity intergenerationally (mother-child). NINR website: https://www.ninr.nih.gov/ Project Requirements: Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, facilities, supplies and services (except for those to be furnished by the Government as specified) to perform the work required by this contract as set forth below. (Note that the final Statement of Work will be included with the Request for Proposals). Specifically, the contractor, in collaboration with NINR staff, shall perform the following tasks: Tasks: A. General Requirements - NYU along with the Genome Center at NYU will conduct WGS on matching N=100 African American children in InterGEN. o Whole Genome Sequencing will be conducted by 100 participants. - Data derived from this research will be delivered via secured server to NINR. o Extraction of DNA and amplification as necessary will be conducted by using 100 samples. - NYU will provide a lab technician and costs will be included in the proposal. - NYU will provide consumable lab supplies and cost will be included in the proposal. NINR will handle the data analytics Anticipated Period of Performance: The anticipated period of performance will include a base plus one (1) option year. Base: September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2020 OY1: September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 Capability Statement: Business concerns that believe they possess the capabilities necessary to undertake these tasks should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. The capabilities statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of scientists, medical experts, and technical personnel as it relates to the above outlined requirements, 3) a description of general and specific facilities and equipment available, including computer equipment and software, 4) an outline of previous projects in which the organization and proposed personnel have participated, and 5) any other information considered relevant to this program. The capability statement must not exceed 10 single sided or 5 double sided pages in length and using a 12-point font size minimum. Interested business organizations are required to identify their size standards. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone numbers of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will not be considered. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. Information Submission Instructions: All capability statements sent in response to this Notice of Intent to Sole Source must be submitted electronically (via email) to Shirlene Smith, Contracting Officer, at shirlene.smith@nih.gov, in either MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), on or before 12:00 p.m. Eastern on July 31, 2019. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Disclaimer and Important Notices: 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 review of the responses received, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The solicitation release date is pending. 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). Primary Point of Contact: Shirlene Smith, Contracting Officer Shirlene.Smith@nih.gov