NIDA Center for Genetic Studies
A. Objectives:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intends to solicit proposals from qualified and capable offerors to maintain and expand the NIDA Center for Genetic Studies (NCGS) as a repository to:
Receive de-identified clinical, diagnostic, pedigree structure, environmental exposure information and other phenotypic data along with blood samples or other biospecimens (e.g. blood, cell lines, skin fibroblasts, DNA, RNA, serum, saliva, hair, urine, fecal matter) from funded grants and/or contracts supporting research on the genetics of addiction and addiction vulnerability;
Process these data and materials to create databases, serum, DNA, RNA, and cell lines;
Widely distribute all data and materials in the NIDA Human Genetics Initiative to qualified investigators in the scientific community in a cost-effective manner;
Maintain storage of data and biospecimens;
As stipulated by NIDA staff, perform microarray typing on pre-existing and/or new de-identified biospecimens;
As stipulated by NIDA staff, perform state-of-the-art* sequencing on pre-existing and/or new de-identified biospecimens for genomic and/or epigenomic analyses in bulk tissue and single cells;
As stipulated by NIDA staff, perform state-of-the-art* sequencing on pre-existing and/or new de-identified biospecimens for RNA transcriptome analyses in bulk tissue or single cells;
As stipulated by NIDA staff perform state-of-the-art* chromatin capture, chip-seq, as cut and run sequencing.
Support the creation of reprogrammed cellular derivatives, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to facilitate the molecular and cellular study of brain development and addiction processes;
Create a cyberinfrastructure that enables interoperability and full access to distributed data, software and other information science resources as well as research summaries and outbound links for all addiction related studies available through the NIH database of Genotype and Phenotype (dbGaP) system; Develop advanced encryption methods that allowing linking of data in the repository to other types of data.
Facilitate NIDA genetic studies data (both genotype and phenotype) being uploaded into NIH databases such as BioSample, and the dbGaP systems.
B. General Requirements:
Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the following tasks on data and biological materials received from grants and/or contracts supporting research on the genetics of addiction and addiction vulnerability.
Receive, process, and store de-identified biospecimens. Biospecimens includes blood and saliva as well as other biospecimens that include but are not limited to urine and fecal matter;
Extract DNA and RNA, from serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from fresh whole blood specimens, fibroblastoid cell lines, or other biospecimens;
Freeze and store DNA, serum, and cryopreserve PBMCs, fibroblastoid cell lines, whole blood or other biospecimens, as described;
Transform cryopreserved whole blood or isolated PBMCs to lymphoblastoid cells using the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation protocol, if required;
Transform fibroblasts cell punches into fibroblastoid cell lines, if required;
Amplify cellular density utilizing irradiated feeder technology in a high throughput manner when needed;
Collect, maintain, store, and distribute de-identified clinical and biological data; Develop advanced encryption algorithms to facilitate integration of data in the repository with other types of data.
Perform DNA/RNA genotyping and/or State-of-the-art* sequencing on bulk tissue and in single cells at the request of the COR;
Assay epigenetic modifications and protein-DNA interactions in bulk tissue and in single cells at the request of the COR;
Make all applicable electronic information technology materials Section 508 compliant.
The purpose of this contract is to provide resources to support the NCGS. NIDA reserves the right to have the contracted services benefit NIDA and any other component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
C. Mandatory Criteria:
Given the highly technical nature of this endeavor, Offerors must be able to meet the following criteria:
Demonstrate an ability to safely process and store at least 450,000 to 600,000 biospecimen samples from over 100,000 individuals;
Be eligible to receive a Certificate of Confidentiality. As set forth in 45 CFR Part 75.303(a) and NIHGPS Chapter 8.3, recipients conducting NIH supported research applicable to this Policy are required to establish and maintain effective internal controls (e.g., policies and procedures) that provide reasonable assurance that the award is managed in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of award. Recipients of Certificates are required to ensure that any investigator or institution not funded by NIH who receives a copy of identifiable, sensitive information protected by a Certificate issued by this Policy, understand they are also subject to the requirements of subsection 301(d) of the Public Health Service Act. In accordance with NIHGPS Chapter 15.2.1, recipients are also responsible for ensuring that any sub-recipient that receives funds to carry out part of the NIH award involving a copy of identifiable, sensitive information protected by a Certificate issued by this Policy understand they are also subject to subsection 301(d) of the Public Health Service Act (see: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-17-109.html). Furthermore, as a term and condition for award, prohibit the disclosure of the names of research participants or any information, documents, or biospecimens that contain identifiable, sensitive information collected or used in research by an investigator or institution with a Certificate.
State in writing that the business entity/contractor agrees to and is committed to processing, generating, and widely distributing high-quality data files, documentation, and biological materials (e.g. cell lines, DNA, RNA, serum, urine samples, fecal samples) in an efficient and cost-effective manner for use in genetic analyses by qualified investigators in the scientific community;
Demonstrate ability to obtain Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification for microarray platforms (i.e., smokescreen) (see: https://biorealm.ai/); and
Be a co-signatory of the Distribution Agreement developed by NIDA https://nida.nih.gov/research/research-data-measures-resources/genetics-research-resources/workgroups-interest-groups-consortia/genetics-workgroup-gwg/nida-genetics-consortium-ngc/nida-distribution-agreement.
D. Additional Information:
NIDA anticipates that one (1) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), task order contract will be awarded with an ordering period of five (5) years. NIDA intends to award task orders wth fixed price services under this contract. These individual task orders may include options and/or options quantities. If options or option quantities are utilized for an individual task order they will be clearly defined in the Task Order RFP and be determined and evaluated at the time of task order solicitation and award.
NIDA anticipates that at least one task order will be awarded with the contract. Future funding will be made through issuances of task orders and will be dependent on NIDA programmatic needs and availability of funds. RFP No. 75N95022R00097 will be available electronically on or about August 29, 2022. You can access the RFP through the beta.SAM.gov or through the NIDA website: (URL: https://nida.nih.gov/funding/nida-funding-opportunities). All information required for the submission of a proposal will be contained in or accessible through the RFP package.
Responses to the RFP will be due approximately 45 days from the release date. NIDA will consider proposals submitted by any responsible offeror. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.
Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for the described supplies or services. However, interested persons may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government's requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.
This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.
75N95022R00097 Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse
8/15/22, 11:57 AM