JOFOC Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (J&A) document for a specialized scientific services procurement by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), Center of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (CARD), under the Department of Health and Human Services.

The acquisition seeks highly specialized human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) engineering services to validate and optimize the ONE-STEP tagging system and generate functionally engineered iPSC lines for the iPSC Neurodegenerative Disease Initiative (iNDI). The total estimated value is $3,353,115.00 with a base performance period from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, plus one option year (September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2028), totaling 24 months. The requirement is structured as a firm-fixed-price contract and is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 per FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii) based on "Only One Responsible Source" circumstances. The sole proposed contractor is The Jackson Laboratory (UEI: XR6LMXNKDJJ1), located in Bar Harbor, Maine. The J&A justifies sole-source award based on JAX's direct continuity with the existing iNDI engineering program since 2019, unique technical capability in large-scale human iPSC engineering including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeting, established biological resources and validated QC pipelines specific to the requirement, and the need to avoid unacceptable duplication of cost and schedule disruption. Market research was conducted and confirmed JAX as the only known source capable of meeting government requirements within the required timeframe while preserving scientific continuity with prior NIA-funded engineering efforts. A SAM.gov Notice of Intent will be published as required by FAR Subpart 5.2.