B Sources Sought Notice 2.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: 75N9502400088

2. Title: Biochemical, Biophysical, and in vivo Testing of Compounds

3. Classification Code: Q301 Medical – Laboratory Testing

4. NAICS Code: 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services

5. Size Standard: $19.0 M

6. Description:

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule).

Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation’s leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improve people’s health and save lives.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducting research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke. The NINDS mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.

Having identified potential small-molecules, the government seeks to characterize these compound-protein interactions by a series of biochemical, biophysical and cellular assays including Protein Purification, Thermal Unfolding, Intrinsic Trptophan Fluorescence, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Macromolecular X-ray crystallography, flow cytometry, microscopy and mass spectrometry.

Purpose and Objectives: The NIH/NINDS seeks to contract with a full-service facility and staff to support a drug discovery campaign to develop a novels therapeutic effective in of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related dementias (AD/RD). NINDS has engaged in a drug discovery screen to find small-molecules capable of redirecting autophagy, a cellular debris removal system, using autophagy related protein KIAA0203 for a potential avenue of treatment for AR/RDs. To determine which of the compounds is to be carried forward in the therapeutic development plan, the government seeks data on the potency of identified compound.

Project requirements:

• The Contractor will perform experiments to test up to 100 compounds with biochemical, biophysical techniques and in vivo testing in cell culture models. To this end, the Contractor will provide one (1) 70% (FTE) scientists to perform assays and one (1) FTE at 10% effort dedicated to the project that will analyze proteomics data.

• The scope of this project shall be protein biochemistry, biophysical assays, in vivo microscopy, flow cytometry, proteomics, and x-ray crystallography. Results of each test will be reported in a biomonthy meeting.

Anticipated period of performance:

Base: April 19, 2024 – April 18, 2025;

Option period 1: April 19, 2025 – April 18, 2026;

Option period 2: April 19, 2026 – April 18, 2027

Other important considerations: N/A

In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25.

Capability statement /information sought.

Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required product should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice.

However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Shivani Patel, Contracts Specialist at e-mail address Shivani.patel@nih.gov

The response must be received on or before 3/11/2024, 3:00 pm Eastern Time.

“Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”

mailto:Shivani.patel@nih.gov