B01 - RFI.docx

Subject: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Metabolomics for Human Serum

Requiring Activity Name: Medical Readiness Systems Biology (MRSB), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE

TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

1.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained.

2.0 SUBJECT: This is a summary of the Minimum Essential Characteristics (MEC) for this requirement.

The contractor shall provide the following services:

a) The contractor shall receive 270 traumatic brain injury biological samples, from WRAIR.

b) The contractor shall process the biological samples to determine the metabolomics and lipidomic profiles using Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) platform.

c) The contractor shall provide the deliverables (bulk data sets via DoDSAFE) and include the spectral features’ HMDB ID, Kegg ID, LipidMaps, Metlin ID etc.

d) The contractor shall return metabolite and lipid profile within three months after receiving the shipment.

e) The contractor shall deliver the protocol of the assay used to ensure continuity with previous methods.

f) The contractor shall respond to any residual questions from WRAIR personnel regarding the deliverable datasets.

g) Pending results of initial metabolomic analyses and verification of data across existing datasets; exercising option years will be contingent on the metabolomics and lipidomic profiles.

3.0 BACKGROUND: The MRSB branch requires a specialized laboratory analyses in metabolomics assays on human serum samples in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that utilizes a Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS) platform. MRSB has previously utilized vendor Nelson Scientific Labs (Nelson Labs) for their state-of-art LC/MS platform and their well-validated analytical pipeline for metabolite profiling (prior metabolomics assays profiling were collaborative academic research (ad hoc)). Historical data sets generated by Nelson labs will be used as the baseline and/or comparative profile for the project associated with the new requirement. This new requirement involves another set of samples requiring metabolomic analysis in the base year. MRSB has previously published multiple manuscripts using data from Nelson Labs. As spectral features are highly sensitive to the specific LC/MS machinery and methodology used, when performing comparative studies across different batches of data, precise machine and normalization processes are necessary.

4.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should address the following in their capabilities statement:

(A) Technical Experience: Contractor’s technical experience pertinent to effective execution of the tasks outlined in section 2; and

(B) In their capability statement, responders are to identify if such similar services, existing or occurring, are being provided commercially.

5.0 CAPABAILITY STATEMENT FORMAT: Contractor’s capability statements are limited to 15 pages. The response shall be single spaced. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. A standard, 12-point minimum font size applies. Times New Roman font is required. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size no less than 8-point and may be landscape. The cover page does not count in the page count.

6.0 ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: July 2024 – July 2027

7.0 CONTACT INFORMATION: No questions will be addressed. All information regarding Capabilities Statements or any other proprietary information relative to this RFI shall be submitted via email to joshua.r.dean2.civ@health.mil no later than 11:00am EST on Friday, 3 May 2024.