D1 Statement of Work_Amendment 3.pdf

Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

STATEMENT OF WORK

August 26, 2024

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Project:

Histology Services

Statement of Need and Purpose:

The purpose of this requirement is to stain tissues using a variety of techniques to discern differences and observations in studies of senescent cells in vascular aging and age-related diseases in preclinical models, human samples, and mouse models.

Background Information and Objective:

Histology services play a pivotal role in vascular senescence research by providing essential techniques for identifying senescent cells in both mouse and human tissues. Histological analysis allows researchers to visualize cellular and tissue structures with high resolution, enabling the identification of senescent cells based on specific markers or morphological characteristics. Staining techniques such as senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining or immunohistochemistry targeting senescence markers like p16 or p21 facilitate the precise localization and quantification of senescent cells within vascular tissues. Furthermore, histological examination provides spatial context, allowing researchers to understand the distribution and association of senescent cells with other cellular components in the vascular microenvironment. This comprehensive approach aids in unraveling the role of senescent cells in vascular aging and age-related diseases in both preclinical models and human samples.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance is 12 months. Throughout the period of performance, the contractor shall complete the immunostainings within 1 month (30 days) of receipt of tissues and antibodies unless issues exist with the samples that are received.

SCOPE OF WORK

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 Specific Requirements below.

Specific Requirements:

The contractor shall perform histology services as directed on tissues and antibodies provided by the Government. Histology Services are anticipated to include but are not limited to:

- Trimming and embedding; formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) and frozen tissues

CSS 75N95024Q00454

- Microtomy or cryotomy

- Routine, special, or silver staining

- Immunohistochemistry (brightfield) or immunofluorescence (fluorescent) staining

- Scoring from board-certified pathologists

- Brightfield scanning and platform services

The anticipated BASE services are as follows:

CLIN 1: Base Services Quantity slide scanning 275 immunofluorescence 275 embedd and cut tissue 275 embedd and cut brain 275 Oct cutting 275

IHC 275

IHC multiple 275

IF 275

DAPI mounting 275 Special stain 275 additional sections 275 additonal section brain 275 assay TUNEL 5 slide boxes 40

Total 3,345

The anticipated OPTION services are as follows:

CLIN 2: Option Services 1 Quantity slide scanning 50 immunofluorescence 50 embedd and cut tissue 50 embedd and cut brain 50 Oct cutting 50

IHC 50

IHC multiple 50

IF 50

DAPI mounting 50 Special stain 50 additional sections 50 additonal section brain 50 assay TUNEL 5 slide boxes 10

Total 645

CLIN 3: Option Services 2 Quantity slide scanning 50 immunofluorescence 50 embedd and cut tissue 50 embedd and cut brain 50 Oct cutting 50

IHC 50

IHC multiple 50

IF 50

DAPI mounting 50 Special stain 50 additional sections 50 additonal section brain 50 assay TUNEL 5 slide boxes 10

Total 645

The contractor shall perform scans at 40X level unless directed otherwise (higher or lower) by the Government.

Staining is to include both brightfield or fluorescence with a minimum of two (2) colors merging for fluorescence. Merging antibodies or changing antibodies for higher quality images must be accounted for.

The contractor must be able to:

- Accommodate changes to the specifics of histology requests (for example, different types of histological staining)

- Use one or more antibodies for immunostainings; the Government anticipates using between one (1) and four (4) antibodies

- Use both formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) and frozen tissues

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government will be responsible for providing the tissues and antibodies to be used for immunostainings. The Government anticipates sending tissues and antibodies at various times throughout the period of performance. The number of tissues and antibodies in each shipment will vary but is expected to be between 4 and 50.

DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall provide the results of staining within 30 days after receiving tissues and antibodies. The results should be emailed to the Government point(s) of contact identified on the purchase order and to other Government personnel as requested. Histology service results must be publication form acceptable.

Upon conclusion, the contractor shall return all physical slides to the Government unless directed otherwise.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

During periods when the contractor is performing histology services, the contractor shall provide weekly updates as to the progress of the services requested. Updates will be by email or phone as directed by the Government. In addition, the contractor must report via email any unexpected delays within 24 hours of experiencing the delay.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Personnel Qualifications:

All work must be performed by technicians trained and skilled in microtomy, cryotomy and staining (all levels) relevant to the histology services requested.

Data Rights / Publications and Publicity:

Data rights will be governed by FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General. Under 52.227- 14(c)(1), the contractor must obtain approval from the contracting officer to assert copyright in any data first produced in performance of this contract and published in academic, technical or professional journals, symposia proceedings, or similar works. Under 52.227-14(d)(2), the contractor must obtain approval from the contracting officer to use, release to others, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced or specifically used by the contractor in the performance of this contract. In addition, the contractor will keep the results of the acquisition confidential.