S02 36C26225Q0827_1.docx

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Network Contracting 3601 S. 6th Avenue Tucson AZ 85723

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Specialist Koby Thiel Koby.Thiel@va.gov (520)-792-1450 Ext 1-6273

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

Department of Veterans Affairs

NCO 22 - Network Contracting

3601 S. 6th Avenue

Tucson AZ

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04.

This solicitation is set-aside for 100% for Small Business concerns IAW FAR 19.502-2, Total Small Business Set-Asides.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541714, with a small business size standard of 1000 employees. The FSC/PSC is AN13.

Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System located at 3601 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85723 is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide Mouse TCR Sequencing Analysis services.

All Interested entities shall provide quotations for the following:

1. Contract Title T-Cell Receptor Sequencing For an Ongoing Research Study

2. Background TCR sequencing principle is to extract RNA or DNA from T cells and sequence TCR gene. TCR sequencing (TCR-Seq) technology enables accurate profiling of the TCR repertoire and is used to analyze the diversity, clonal distribution, in which also serves as a biomarker for monitoring and provides valuable insights into immune responses.

3. Objective For an ongoing Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS) stroke study, where the primary objective is to determine clonal expansion, a DNA-based approach is crucial for capturing stable T-cell clone populations. TCR provides an understanding of T cells which provide technical support for study immune related diseases, drug efficacy prediction, immune drug targets, tumor immunotherapy, and other developments.

4. SCOPE:

Obtain customized Mouse T-CELL RECEPTOR sequencing (gDNA) analysis from CD Genomics to determine clonal expansion.

The contractor will provide the subject matter expertise, technical skill and knowledge to conduct TCR sequencing to detect structural variants of DNA on samples. They will perform T- cell receptor immune sequencing from mouse derived DNA including amplification of TCR genes followed by library preparation. Using Next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform(s) they will create a high-resolution image of the TCR repertoire to potential uncover the changes in clonal populations in the provided biological sample.

4.1 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

Requirements: Genomics data analysis service which includes comprehensive T Cell Receptor Sequencing (TCR-Seq) services, encompassing both wet lab work and bioinformatics analysis. This includes:

Analyze and provide:

• Mouse TCR-seq (gDNA): Library Preparation-Mouse TCR α/β Profiling Sequencing-Illumina PE150 Standard Data Analysis.

Deliverables:

Qualification Requirements

4.2.1. Any work other than as specified in the contract shall be identified as a non-priced task, and if determined by the Contracting Officer (CO) to be within the overall scope of the contract, work shall be added by a modification to the contract. Any work requested that is identified as outside the scope of the contract shall be addressed by the facility as a separate procurement.

5. Security Requirements The C&A requirements do not apply, and Security Accreditation Package is not required.

This service does not involve Contractor connection of one or more contractor-owned IT devices (such as laptop computer or remote connection from a contractor system) to a VA internal trusted (i.e., non-public network) therefore Information Technology (IT) Security certification and accreditation (authorization) (C&A) requirements do not apply per VA Handbook 6500.6.

Contractor shall obtain all necessary licenses required to perform this work. Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. Contractor shall be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, or others, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by him/her or his/her employees’ fault or negligence. Contractor shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance prescribed by the laws of the Federal Government.

The Government reserves the right to accept or reject Contractor’s employee for the rendering of services. Complaints concerning Contract Personnel’s performance or conduct will be dealt with by the Contractor and COR with the final decision being made by the Contracting Officer.

9. Insurance Coverage The Contractor agrees to procure and maintain, while the contract is in effect, Workers Compensation and Employee’s Public Liability Insurance in accordance with Federal and State of Arizona laws. The Contractor shall be responsible for all damage to property, which may be done by him, or any employee engaged in the performance of this contract.

The Government shall be held harmless against any or all loss, cost, damage, claim expense or liability whatsoever, because of accident or injury to persons or property of others occurring in the performance of this contract.

Before commencing work under this contract, the Contracting Officer shall require the Contractor to furnish certification from his/her insurance company indicating that the coverage specified by FAR 52.228-5 and per FAR Subpart 28.307-2 has been obtained and that it may not be changed or canceled without guaranteed thirty (30) day notice to the Contracting Officer.

Contractor is required to provide copies of proof of Workers Compensation and Employee Public Liability Insurance within fifteen (15) calendar days after notification of contract award.

10. Invoicing and Payment Overtime & Holiday Pay Any overtime and/or holiday pay that may be entitled to the Contractor’s employees shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor and shall not be billed to nor reimbursed by the Government.

Contractor will bill and be paid for actual services provided by Contractor personnel. Contractor will not be paid for “availability” or “on-call” services unless otherwise provided herein.

Required submittals with quotes SHALL include following:

a) Contractor shall submit resumes detailing the experience of technicians. Technicians shall have 3 years of experience in TCR Sequencing.

b) Contractor shall submit proof of access to an Illumina PE150 System.

The Contract Period of Performance is 7-30-2025 – 9-30-2028, with an FOP of Destination.

Place of Performance/Place of Delivery:

Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System 3601 S. 6th Ave.

Tucson, AZ 85723

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

• FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” (Dec 2022).

• ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services” applies to and is included with this acquisition.

• 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (JAN 2025) [(DEVIATION FEB 2025)].

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: (b)(4), (5), (9), (11), (12), (18), (26), (31), (36), (39), (40), (46), (47), (55), (c)(1), (2), (4), (7), (8), (9).

All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests. This is accomplished through the Tungsten Network located at: http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp. This is mandatory and the sole method for submitting invoices.

All quoters shall submit the following: All information required by FAR 52.212-1(b) Submission of Offers.

All quotes shall be sent to the Network Contracting Office (NCO): Koby.Thiel@va.gov.

Award will be based upon a lowest price with special standards of responsibility in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government.

The following are the decision factors: Price, and past performance, with price more important.

Past performance will be based on CPARS and FAPIIS ratings. No rating in CPARS is equal to a neutral rating. Responsibility will be determined by required submittals and past performance.

Responses should contain your best terms, conditions.

To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."

OR

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any.

Final submission of your response shall be received not later than 7/1/2024, 8:00 AM PST at Koby.Thiel@va.gov only. Subject line should include “RESPONSE TO RFQ 36C26225Q0827.”

Submissions shall include your quote as well as a capabilities statement with qualifications proving all certifications and education required for the work being conducted in the SOW. Submissions not meeting all requirements of the SOW will be considered ineligible for award.

Submissions shall be submitted with two separate files, one for all required responsibility submittals and the other for pricing. Pricing is to be submitted using the provided line items below. Each line item designates an option year.

Quotes should be based on the information provided as no discussions will be allowed. This solicitation is being made under FAR 13.106-2(b)(3) using Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).

All questions are to be submitted to Koby Thiel, Koby.Thiel@va.gov, by June 24, at 8:00 AM PST.

All quotes regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below.

Koby.Thiel@va.gov

DOL WAGE DETERMINATION (REF)

This contract/PO incorporates Department of Labor (DOL) Wage Determination (WD) 2015-5473 (Rev24), dated 12/23/2024.

The wage determination can be found at https://sam.gov.

This contract is anticipated to be an IDIQ. Please see following clauses for ordering and order limitations. The quantities listed on the pricing chart are estimates.

A.1 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from 7-15-2025 through 9-30-2028.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) A delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when—

(1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;

(2) If sent by fax, the Government transmits the order to the Contractor’s fax number; or

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either—

(i) Posts a copy of the delivery order or task order to a Government document access system, and notice is sent to the Contractor; or

(ii) Distributes the delivery order or task order via email to the Contractor’s email address.

(d) Orders may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized in the contract.

(End of Clause)

A.2 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $2,500.00, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor—

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $89,000.00;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $89,000.00; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 10 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 5 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(End of Clause)

A.3 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 9-30-2029.

(End of Clause)

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice