Attachment_6_-_Pre-Solicitation_Notice_2.pdf

RFP 75N94026R00006 National Institutes of Health (NIH)

PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE

Title: Repository of Mouse Models for Down Syndrome

THIS PRE-SOLICITATION SYNOPSIS IS NOT AN AUTHORIZATION TO START WORK.

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). NO QUOTES OR BIDS ARE

BEING SOLICITED BY THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THIS NOTICE, NOR WILL ANY BE ACCEPTED

FOR REVIEW IN RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS.

Description

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intend to issue a solicitation for the recompete of the contract entitled, Repository of Mouse Models for Down Syndrome, (Mouse Repository) through full and open competition procedures. This requirement classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number 541714. The Government anticipates awarding a single cost-reimbursement type contract with a period of performance beginning on or about September 25, 2026. It is anticipated that this requirement will feature a one-year base performance period, and four (4) one-year option periods, for a total of up to five (5) years of performance.

The objective of the contract will be to produce, maintain, and distribute aneuploid mice with primary emphasis on models of human trisomy for chromosome 21 (Down syndrome).

The Contractor shall maintain the Mouse Repository as elaborated below.

1. Breed various strains of mice to serve as models of Down syndrome that are of known genetic background and will produce genetically unbalanced gametes resulting in complete or partial trisomic embryos with special emphasis on mouse chromosomes that are syntenic to human chromosome 21 (Hsa21). On average, at least 30 breeding pairs must be maintained to preserve the breeding colony for a strain such as Ts65Dn and supply enough mice to meet investigator demands for this strain. Other murine models of Down syndrome that are part of this resource and are popular with investigators include, but are not limited to, Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah; these shall be maintained and made available as part of the Mouse Repository. An emphasis shall be placed on meeting the needs of the investigators in the Down syndrome research community. In particular, the Contractor shall ensure that there is an adequate supply of female mice for purposes of establishment of separate colonies by investigators with substantial resource needs. If the needs of the research community change such that a strain is no longer required to be in active production, or if issues arise with a particular mouse strain that make it unreasonable to continue supporting, the contractor will discuss concerns with the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and other applicable and pertinent NICHD and NIH staff prior to discontinuing the strain as part of the Mouse Repository.

NICHD anticipates approximately 1200-2400 mice per year would be supplied by the Contractor to investigators and other entities. It is estimated that approximately 75-80% of those mice will be sent to federally funded investigators free of charge (except for shipping and handling) through NICHD Approval.

2. Acquire new strains. If new strains become available, the Contractor may consider adding to the Mouse Repository at least one new mouse strain of interest to the investigator community, in consultation with the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and other applicable and pertinent NICHD and NIH staff.

3. Convene an external Scientific Advisory Board that will meet virtually on a quarterly basis to provide advice on phenotyping, availability, customer service, community needs, and distribution of mice in this Repository, as well as general feedback if issues arise. Meeting minutes will be distributed after SAB meetings, with summaries of the SAB discussions submitted with monthly and annual reports.

4. Evaluate the fertility of both male and female mice for optimal methods of maintaining individual mouse strains in active production semiannually for newly added strains and those with documented breeding difficulties to the Mouse Repository.

5. Distribute requested mouse models to both NIH funded and non-NIH funded investigators through processes consistent with NIH requirements and expectations.

6. Test the animals periodically for pathogens as per standard protocols that are outlined in the standard operating procedures by the Contractor.

7. Characterize the clinical and neurobehavioral phenotypes of the mouse models to ensure integrity of the strains and to allow for comparative phenotypic information among different murine strains using a standardized battery of tests, or as specified by the COR.

8. Publicize the availability of mouse models indicating the type of strains in the colony as well as detailed information about the background strain, genotype, protocols for genotyping, husbandry conditions, phenotypic and neurobehavioral characteristics, and other details as specified by the COR

Additional Information:

The RFP (75N94026R00006) will be made available on or about April 14, 2026, with a due date for receipt of proposals on or about June 1, 2026.

The RFP is only available electronically and must be accessed through “Contract Opportunities” at the https://sam.gov/ website. All information required for submission of a proposal must be contained in the electronic RFP package. It is the Offeror's responsibility to monitor the above website for the release of this RFP and amendments, if any. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. This notice does not obligate the Government to make an award.

POTENTIAL OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOWNLOADING THEIR OWN COPY OF THE

SOLICITATION AND ANY POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS. ALL INQUIRIES SHALL BE SUBMITTED

ELECTRONICALLY TO THE POINTS OF CONTACTS LISTED HEREIN.

You must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) Database to receive a government contract award. You may register for SAM at:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

Primary Point of Contact Secondary Point of Contact

Gisele Beaudoin Gannon White

Contract Specialist Contracting Officer gisele.beaudoin@nih.gov gannon.white@nih.gov

Contracting Office Address

Research and Development and Professional Services – Division B 6701 Rockledge Dr, RK2 RM 411-Q Bethesda, Maryland 20817-7786