Combined SSN.RFI 21 AUG 2023.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI):

LABORATORY ANIMAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SERVICES

1 INTRODUCTION

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This Request for Information (“RFI”) is issued by the National Institutes of Health’s (“NIH”) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (“NIEHS” or “the Government”) in accordance with FAR Part 15.201(e) - Exchanges with Industry. It is solely issued for market research information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal/Quote (RFP/RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFP/RFQ in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, NIEHS is not at this time seeking proposals/quotes and will not accept unsolicited proposals/quotes. Responders are advised that NIEHS will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP/RFQ, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it may be synopsized on the SAM.gov website or issued through any number of existing Government contract vehicles determined by the Government to be the best procurement approach (e.g., GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), Government Wide Acquisition Vehicles (GWACs), etc.). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors/quoters to monitor any related solicitation sites used by the Government for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2 BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is one (1) of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of the NIEHS is to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives. The Branches & Laboratories at NIEHS fall under the Intramural Research and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Divisions. The Comparative Medicine Branch (CMB) ensures the judicious and humane use of rodents for biomedical research that benefits human and animal health. The CMB maintains the animal facility for the NIEHS and is responsible for the health and well-being of the research animal population. The health and well-being of these animals are a critical factor in many research projects. Laboratory animals are susceptible to many different diseases, which may be symptomatic or subclinical but still have profound effects on research. Some of these diseases can be zoonotic (contagious to humans). Diagnosis of these animal diseases is very important in maintaining the quality of the NIEHS research animals as well as ensuring the safety of the researcher and animal care staff. The Quality Assurance

75N96023Q00132

Laboratory (QAL) within CMB is responsible for monitoring the health status of incoming and resident animal colonies and making appropriate decisions based on the results of this monitoring. The QAL is also responsible for the NIEHS animal health surveillance program.

Sentinel animals are used most often monitor the animal population. Monitoring may include a complete necropsy, examination for ecto- and endoparasites, microbial identification, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and analysis of rodent blood or serum for response of the immune system to pathogens (serological assay). QAL is responsible for reporting the health status of the animal or tissue specimens back to the appropriate veterinarian(s) and researchers.

The primary scope of the contract will be to perform diagnostic testing services as part of the animal health surveillance program. Identification of unknown bacterial or fungal isolates using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization - Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) spectrophotometry or partial genomic sequencing of biological samples may also be requested. Other assays, such as Western Blot or Immunofluorescent Antibody (IFA) may be requested to confirm initial, equivocal, serological results. As such, testing services of a commercial laboratory are needed to conduct the diagnostic testing on rodent blood/sera, rodent tissues, rodent fecal specimens or other biological samples (e.g., cell cultures, viral vectors, isolated proteins, etc.).

The Contractor shall execute a broad range of Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services and shall provide a readily available source for diagnostic testing services as a part of the QAL overall diagnostic and health monitoring programs at NIEHS. The Contractor shall receive the biological samples, perform requested testing on these samples and shall provide results to the Government via e-mail, telephone or other electronic source (e.g., online access).

ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contract will consist of a 5 year ordering period. Task orders will be placed as needed by the NIEHS and will specify actual performance dates and task areas to be covered. Single task orders cannot exceed a 12 month period.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE: The intended procurement will be classified under the NAICS code 541380, "Testing Laboratories" with a size standard of $19M.

ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TYPE: A Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract type is anticipated. Up to 3 awards are anticipated. The anticipated period of performance is for 5 years across all contracts issued. The types of orders authorized for use under the resultant contract will be firm fixed price only.

PERFORMANCE LOCATION: Each task order will specify the method and location.

2.1 CAPABILITIES SOUGHT/INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested organizations are required to submit their capability statements via email to Chantal.cornelius@nih.gov, and should not exceed five (5) pages in length; not including a standard product brochure that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the notice described in the Performance Work Statement and should be tailored to the "Project Requirements" as concise as possible. Capability statements should also include the following information:

1. DUNS Number

2. CAGE Code:

3. Organization Name:

4. Company Address:

5. Point of Contact (including name, title, addresses, telephone number, fax number and Email address)

6. Business size (e.g. small or large):

7. Socio-economic Status (e.g., HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses):

8. GSA Contract Number:

9. Clear and convincing documentation of your capability and ability to provide the services specified in this notice.

10. Examples of prior completed contracts and other related information.

11. Recommendations on contract type/vehicle (i.e. multiple award IDIQ, blanket purchase agreement, time and materials, firm fixed price).

Note that standard product brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this sources sought synopsis.

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).

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. Potential Quoters 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 pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on SAM.gov.

However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. The Government shall consider all responses received within specified due date. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish their capability to fulfill this requirement. NIEHS will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. Please email, with the sources sought notice number in the subject line to the Contracting Officer listed below.

3 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All capability statements/responses shall be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 p.m.

Eastern Time (ET) on September 8, 2023 to, Contract Specialist, at the following e-mail address: Chantal.cornelius@nih.gov.

All questions should be directed to Chantal.cornelius@nih.gov at the e-mail address specified above. NIEHS personnel may contact firms responding to this RFI to clarify a Responder’s capabilities and other matters as part of this market research process.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to Responders with respect to any information submitted.

75N96023Q00132 mailto:Chantal.cornelius@nih.gov mailto:Chantal.cornelius@nih.gov

3 Response Submission Instructions