NICHD-23-025.SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

(Acquisition of the Services of an Immunology and Hereditary Autoinflammatory

Diseases Scientist)

AGENCY: The National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

TITLE: Acquisition of the Services of an Immunology and Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases Scientist

PROPOSED SOLICITATION NUMBER: NICHD-23-025

PROJECT SERVICE CODE: R499 – SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL: OTHER

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. There is no solicitation available at this time.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of all qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses;

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; and (3) their size classification according to the North American Industry Classification System, (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set- aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

BACKGROUND:

The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.

Much of the work carried out in the Biomedical and Metabolic Imaging Branch focuses on developing noninvasive imaging approaches with high spatial (micro-millimeter) and temporal (milliseconds) resolution that allow multi-organ evaluation and analysis to better understand the interplay between atherogenesis and metabolic syndrome in humans. This is being achieved through new chemical spectroscopic techniques of involved organs (e.g. liver, heart and muscles) and improved imaging methodologies such as the development of free breathing methods (important for kids and adolescents) and high contrast techniques without the use of contrast agents. The Biomedical and Metabolic Imaging Branch has championed the creation of a multidisciplinary team of imaging physicists, spectroscopists, and biologists.

Patients with rare genetic mutations such as hyper immunoglobulin E (Job's) syndrome (immune system and coronary arteries), Turner's syndrome (genetics and vascular disease), lipodystrophy (metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease), or HIV infection (inflammation and coronary disease), share many of the metabolic and immunological dysregulations encountered in multi-organ disease subjects inclusive of atherogenesis. T-cell dysfunction mirrors that seen in obesity affecting leptin metabolism. Finally, it is well established that such subjects acquire accelerated atherosclerosis. Therefore, a goal has been to isolate and understand the effects of these defects and the early events that signal atherosclerosis.

Taking advantage of the effects of deregulation of metabolism, inflammation and immunity that play a key role in multi-organ disease progression of atherosclerosis in obesity and metabolic syndrome requires an in-depth understanding of the molecular basis of inflammatory diseases and studying their associated pro-inflammatory cytokines. Specifically, understanding the initiating pathways of the immune system, such as the Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and the inflammasome, to determine effective therapies involved in the dysregulation of these inflammatory signals as a treatment approach to ameliorate atherosclerosis and obesity, diabetes and hereditary autoinflammatory diseases.

Novel role for mitochondrial STAT3 has been implicated in autoinflammatory diseases with an underlying component of mitochondrial dysfunction, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity among many other diseases. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the interplay between STAT3 and mitochondria creates a great advantage to developing therapeutic approaches to treat inflammatory diseases. Research endeavors will employ a combination of flow cytometry, cell imaging, proteomic and bioinformatic approaches to further dissect mechanisms involved in mitochondrial regulation of inflammatory diseases.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Biomedical and Metabolic Imaging Branch has a requirement to obtain services of a scientist with extensive expertise in innate immunology and hereditary autoinflammatory diseases with demonstrated understanding of, and ability to apply principles, concepts, practices and standards associated with patient sample testing in a laboratory setting.

In order to accomplish the goals of this program, The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and BMIB have a requirement to obtain services of a scientist with extensive expertise in innate immunology and hereditary autoinflammatory diseases with demonstrated understanding of, and ability to apply principles, concepts, practices and standards associated with patient sample testing in a laboratory setting. The scientist must demonstrate experience and understanding of techniques directly applicable to the BMIB research (tissue culture, molecular and cellular biological techniques such as PCR, flow cytometry, IHC, etc.) and must be self-motivated and driven to achieve milestones and exceed goals with minimal direction. Furthermore, they must possess a PhD with 15+ years of demonstrated expertise in immunology and/or inflammation research.

The objective of this request is to procure the services of a scientist with specialized skills beyond what our current resources can provide in order to accomplish the goals of this program. The contractor shall work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, totaling 2080 hours per year.

SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

The contractor must have:

• PhD with 15+ years of directly relevant experience in immunology, or inflammation.

• Proficiency in T cell culture, multicolor Flow Cytometry, RNA-seq, western blotting, q-PCR, multiplex ELISA, RNA/DNA isolation, T cell isolation, cell assay development, mouse handling/ organ isolation is required.

• Expertise in lentiviral production, synthetic biology, lentiviral vector design desired.

• Expertise in exosome purification and characterization.

• Knowledge of standard Human T cell isolation & in vitro culture techniques is required.

• Possess experience using autoimmune and inflammatory disease mouse and rabbit models.

• Good understanding of immune signaling pathways and interest in metabolomics.

• Ability to contribute creatively and strategically to in vitro assay design, optimization and derive actionable biological conclusions.

• Ability to define and implement critical studies needed to support hypothesis-based research.

• Ability to write protocols and study reports, produce and maintain accurate records.

• Expertise with data analysis software such as Excel and Graphpad Prism

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to synthesize complex scientific problems into a strategy and tactics.

• Familiarity with both Microsoft and Mac operating systems, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Adobe Photoshop and Access.

• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational and time management skills.

The contractor is expected to deliver scientific data results and implement the following:

• Tissue processing and purification of immune cells, in vitro cell based bioassay development, tissue cell culture (primary mouse and human cells, cell lines and genetically engineered cell lines)

• Multicolor flow cytometry (FACS), and ELISA assays

• Basic molecular biology techniques (cloning, viral tranductions, etc.)

• Analyze biological data using FlowJo, Microsoft Excel, and GraphPad Prism

• Interpret, analyze and present data; work in fast-paced, result oriented research environment

• Contribute to project advancement by developing new methods or technologies and troubleshooting existing protocol

• Write protocols and study reports, produce and maintain accurate records

• Prepare manuscripts for journal publications

TASK AREAS

Specifically, the NIDDK requires completion of the following tasks:

Task Area 1 – Scientific Research Support – Contractor shall drive discovery and translational research aimed at identifying, characterizing, and interpreting results for novel diagnosis for inflammatory diseases. The candidate must be able to create their own research plans with minimum support from the principal investigator. The candidate must be able to run research plans independently. Weekly/as needed meetings will be held to evaluate the work and provide directions for next steps.

Task Area 2 – Scientific Research Implementation – Contractor shall define and implement critical studies needed to support hypothesis-based research. The candidate’s progress will be parodically evaluated and the candidate will be provided with feedback and directions.

Task Area 3 – Scientific Publication Support – Contractor shall make contributions to scientific literature and conferences through publication and presentation of research results. The candidate will be evaluated based on preparing manuscripts and abstracts for scientific publications.

Task Area 4 – Identify/Design/Develop In-Vitro Assays – Contractor shall identify and evaluate a wide variety of in vitro assays to test immunological, metabolic, and various disease mechanisms. Contractor shall contribute to in-vitro assay design, optimization, and derive actionable biological conclusions. Contractor shall perform assay development, qualification and validations as needed.

Task Area 5 – Cell-Based Assays – Contractor shall conduct cell-based assays including, but not limited to, ELISA and Flow Cytometry.

Task Area 6 – Blood Cell Services – Contractor shall separate, isolate and cryopreserve primary cells peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Task Area 7 – Data Organization – Contractor shall organize data prior to scientific publication submission. The data will be reviewed and evaluated by the principal investigator.

Task Area 8 – Lab Maintenance/Safety – Contractor shall ensure lab maintenance activities and equipment calibration are performed according to schedule (to be determined by PO). Contractor shall ensure lab maintenance activities and maintain a clean and safe lab environment.

Task Area 9 – Location of Service(s) – The Contractor shall perform the services for BMIB located in Building 10, Room 1C334, Bethesda MD, 20892 at NIH’s Biomedical and Metabolic Imaging Branch (BMIB).

This Sources Sought is for an organization or institution to provide the NIDDK with an Intravenous Stable Isotope.

All qualified small businesses, whether they are small businesses; 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; interested in submitting a corporate capability statement should demonstrate their capability to provide equipment that meets the characteristics above.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this requirement is:

Base: 1/20/2023 – 1/19/2024 Option Year 1: 1/20/2024 – 1/19/2025

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR Part 13.5 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

The vendor will be evaluated on their quoted services meeting the specifications under section SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

If you or your firm/business has an interest and possess the required expertise we invite you to submit a corporate capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502-2(b) whether or not this procurement will be set-aside for any of the programs described above. The associated NAICS code is 541690, with the small business size standard of $15.00. All respondents are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business.

Interested firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice should adhere to the following:

(a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement should contain sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding your capabilities. The capability statement should not exceed 15 pages using a font size 10 or larger.

(b) Small business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake the efforts should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. This capability statement should include: 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of scientists, medical experts, and technical personnel as they relate to the requirements, 3) a description of general and specific facilities and equipment available, including computer equipment and software, and 4) any other specific and relevant information that would improve the Government's consideration and evaluation of the information presented.

Further, Past Performance documentation, which should include, but not be limited to, a minimum of two (2) contracts performed for either Government or commercial organizations shall be provided. References shall include for each contract: names, titles, contract number, total price or cost, telephone numbers of government Contracting Officer Representative and Contracting Officers.

(c) All capability statements sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Point of Contact below in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The subject line must specify NICHD-23-025. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. Electronically submitted capability statements are due no later than 9:00 AM (Eastern Prevailing Time) seven (7) calendar days (including date of submission to https://sam.gov) after posting of the Small Business Sources Sought Notice.

CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL NOT BE

CONSIDERED

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

https://sam.gov/