Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and WGS RAPID Turn-around-time (TAT) Services

NOTICE OF INTENT: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis. This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award a firm-fixed price contract to one source. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). SUPPLY/SERVICE INFORMATION: NIAID anticipates awarding a contract by 05/27/2022 to Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030-3411. See attached Statement of Work for details on required services. All responsible sources may submit a capability quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, via email to Christine Illanes at Christine.illanes@nih.gov by 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 19, 2022. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow NIAID to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. A determination not to compete this requirement, based on responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any response to this notice that is received after the closing date and time is late and will not be considered. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: This requirement is for whole genome sequencing, including the delivery of FASTQ files, delivery via Globus endpoint, meeting CLIA/CAP requirements, acceptance of DNA and blood samples, SNP trace using Fluidigm, a minimum sequencing read depth of at least 95% at 20x coverage, provision of QC data quality information, acceptance of DNA isolated from multiple tissue types, ability to accept small batch sizes, and results returned within either 6 weeks or 3 weeks (for rapid turnaround). See Statement of Work for full list of requirements. These unique requirements and specialized capabilities are required to ensure detailed standard operating procedures are met, continuity of clinical studies and research initiatives, and assurance that the needs of direct patient care are met. This acquisition is a two month bridge contract to allow time for the follow on to be fully competed, evaluated, and awarded. Currently, there are not enough genome orders to last until the follow on contract is completed. A lapse in services will greatly impact the timeline of our research initiatives, as well as direct patient care entrusted to us by multiple referring teams across multiple institutes at the NIH. Baylor College of Medicine, the incumbent awardee, is the only source capable of meeting the need immediately because current processes are set up to send patient samples on a rolling basis to Baylor. This includes already established SOPs on barcoded tubes, automated aliquoting, and detailed communication with the team for RAPID TAT genomes. The competitive, follow on contract will include a timeframe for updating these SOPs but there is not sufficient time under this two (2) month bridge award for processes to be updated for a new awardee without causing a lapse in services that would have a direct impact on research and patient care.