36C24E22Q0029_1.docx

Special Notice Special Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh PA 15212-5319

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Ms. Millicent Covert millicent.covert@va.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

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AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

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DESCRIPTION

Regional Procurement Office (RPO) - East intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Lexogen GMbH, 51 Autumn Pond Park, Greenland, New Hampshire, 03840, to purchase RNA transcriptome sequencing services for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Lexogen is the pioneer and only performer of RNA sequencing using the proprietary QuantSeq 3’ FWD system and Illumina HiSeq transcriptome analysis protocol necessary for the VA funded Social Disconnectivity Study (VA THRIVe/MIRECC).

STATEMENT OF WORK

Background and Scope RNA samples from the funded Social Disconnectivity Study (THRIVe/MIRECC) will be analyzed for mRNA transcriptome to determine relationships among gene expression, social connectivity, and clinical symptoms including depression and psychosis.

Specific Tasks

· Conversion of polyadenylated RNA to cDNA with QuantSeq 3’ FWD system

· Multiplex sequencing performed on Illumina HiSeq 4000 with > 107 single-stranded 65 bp reads per sample

· Mapping of quality-annotated sequences to human transcriptome sequence

· Quantification at gene level performed using STAR 2.5.3a

· Post-sequencing quality control and assessment of endpoint quality metrics

· Normalization of transcript abundance values to transcripts per million and standardization to reference genes

· Assays will be performed in triplicate

· Comparison to other profiles and matched for consistency using Pearson statistical analysis

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Any responsible sources who wish to identify their interest and capability to provide this equipment or equipment that is compatible must notify this Contracting Officer at Millicent.Covert@va.gov NLT Thursday, December 9, 2021 by 11:59 AM EST. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Upon receipt of the interested parties' notification, the Contracting Officer will determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement or proceed with sole source negotiations.

Special Notice