75N95022R00031 BICAN Pre Solicitation Notice SAM.pdf

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION

ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WILL BE ISSUED VIA

SAM.GOV ON OR ABOUT 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCMENT

(ON OR ABOUT MAY 2, 2022).

FULL TITLE: BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) Sequencing Core

The overarching goal of the BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) is to build reference brain cell atlases that will be used throughout the research community to create a molecular and anatomical foundational framework for the study of the human brain in health and disease. The availability of such comprehensive and high-resolution molecular signatures that reflect cellular phenotypes and functional heterogeneity in diverse brain regions will contribute to opportunities to explore exactly how the brain enables the human body to record, process, utilize, store, and retrieve vast quantities of information, all at the speed of thought.

BICAN Sequencing Core service providers will function within an integrated network with BICAN research laboratories to perform DNA and RNA sequencing of libraries derived from isolated cells, nuclei and bulk tissue from the different brain regions of multiple mammalian species, with an emphasis on the human brain. The sequencing centers will use strictly standardized state-of-the-art quality control (QC), and quality assurance (QA) methodologies and tools, and deposit high quality FASTQ files to a BRAIN Initiative designated data repository for public use, in a cost- and time-efficient manner, with a turnaround time of 7-14 business days following the receipt of libraries.

This acquisition seeks to create the BICAN Sequencing Core, an integrated network of DNA and RNA sequencing service providers to support the high-throughput genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic sequencing needs of several research laboratories participating in the BICAN program. The rich and multilayered data resource generated by these efforts will enable a systematic characterization of neuronal, glial and non-neuronal cell types in all regions of the brain and will catalyze innovative research in diverse fields.

To accomplish this goal, the Government plans to solicit proposals from offerors having an in-house capability in one or more of the following technical areas: (a) Large-Scale Single Cell Transcriptome Sequencing; and/or (b) Large-Scale Single Cell Epigenome

Sequencing; and/or (c) Large-Scale Single-Cell Multi-omics Sequencing; and in one or more of the following technical areas: (d) Bulk Tissue Transcriptome and Epigenome Sequencing; and/or (e) Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing; with optional capability in (f) Novel Omics Sequencing.

The Government anticipates awarding multiple Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contracts under this solicitation for a total potential performance period of 5 years.

Subject solicitation will be issued on the basis of full and open competition whereby all responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency.

The RFP will be made available electronically, on or about 15 days from the date of this announcement (on or about May 2022) via the SAM.GOV website https://www.sam.gov.

Offerors are responsible for routinely checking the SAM.GOV website for any possible solicitation amendments that may be issued.