Specific-Additional.Instructions Assumptions Conditions and.Notices.to.Offerors.AAV.Core.Lab.pdf

Gene Therapy Resource Program (GTRP) Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Production Core Laboratory – Renewal RFP NHLBI-CSB-HV-2012-08-NIR (Formerly NIH-NHLBI-HV-12-08)

• Cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease, restenosis, heart failure, and peripheral arterial disease

SPECIFIC/ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS, ASSUMPTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES

TO OFFERORS

a. General Description of the Required Objectives

This program is designed to facilitate clinical gene therapy studies in heart, lung, and blood diseases by offering the specialized services of five national core laboratories (a clinical coordinating center, a preclinical-grade vector production core laboratory, a clinical-grade adeno-associated (AAV) vector production core laboratory, a clinical-grade lentivirus vector production core laboratory, and a pharmacology/toxicology core laboratory) at no cost to NHLBI-funded investigators. The core laboratories will be charged with implementing the rapid, safe, and equitable transition of basic research ideas to clinical practice, as well as supplying clinical-grade products produced in a manner that is compliant with all regulatory requirements. The clinical coordinating center (CCC) will coordinate the organizational and regulatory aspects of the program.

In addition, the program will also provide funding for Phase I/II gene transfer trials that are within 6-12 months of initial patient enrollment. Examples of clinical Phase I/II trials in gene therapy that may be supported under this program include, but are not limited to, protocols focusing on:

• Blood disorders such as hemophilia, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease

• Lung diseases such as alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency and cystic fibrosis

• Immunodeficiencies such as adenosine deaminase deficiency and X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID).

The organizational structure of the GTRP is as follows:

• Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC) - Oversee and coordinate the logistics of the Core Laboratories, provide regulatory assistance to investigators registered with the GTRP, and to administer the funding support for clinical trials in the GTRP.

• Preclinical Vector Production Core Laboratory- Produce large-scale, preclinical-grade vectors for use by NHLBI-funded investigators.

• AAV Vector Production Core Laboratory - Produce scalable clinical-grade adeno-associated viruses for use by NHLBI-funded investigators.

• Lentivirus Vector Production Core Laboratory - Produce scalable clinical-grade lentiviral viruses for use by NHLBI-funded investigators.

• Pharmacology/Toxicology Core Laboratory - Conduct pharmacological/ toxicological studies using gene therapy vectors for NHLBI-funded investigators.

• GTRP Steering Committee (SC) - The SC will be comprised of representatives from the NHLBI, the CCC, and each of the Core Laboratories.

• Scientific Review Board (SRB) - The SRB will be comprised of experts in the design and production of viral and non-viral vectors and in the field of clinical gene therapy. The SRB will review clinical protocols and make recommendations to the NHLBI. The SRB does not meet in person. The written reviews by the SRB members are submitted to the CCC and discussions with the SC are via teleconference.

• NHLBI-appointed Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) - The DSMB will be comprised of individuals with relevant scientific expertise, including experts in the field of clinical gene therapy.

The DSMB will monitor GTRP-funded clinical trials.

• NHLBI Gene Therapy Group (GTG) - The Group will be comprised of Program Officers from each division of the NHLBI and members of the Contracts Operations Branch.

NHLBI Program and Contracts Offices - NHLBI Program and Contracts officials will be responsible for the administration and monitoring of the program. These officials will participate in and monitor the activities of the program.

b. Background Information

In June 2005 the NHLBI convened an expert Working Group to better understand the impediments to clinical progress in gene therapy and to advise the NHLBI how to best direct its limited resources to facilitate translational research in the field of gene therapy. The NHLBI responded to these recommendations by establishing the NHLBI Gene Therapy Resource Program (GTRP) in March 2007.

The GTRP consists of a Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC) and four Core Laboratories. The primary objective of the Adenovirus Core Laboratory is to manufacture and certify AAV vectors for clinical use.

This Core had seven requests for services through mid-2010, and is in the process of manufacturing the following vectors: 1) AAV8 (retinoschesin gene) for juvenile retinoschisis (funded by NEI); 2) AAV8 (human GAA gene) for Pompe Disease; 3) AAV 6 (SERCA 2a gene) for heart failure; 4) AAV9 (cardiomyocyte sensor protein gene) for heart failure; and 5) AAV2 (neurotropic factor gene) for Parkinson’s disease (jointly funded by NIH RAID and NINDS). Fulfilling the various service requests requires extensive interactions with all parties involved. Therefore, it is critical that the Adeno-associated Virus Vector Core Laboratory have demonstrated experience in the management of complex research programs and human clinical trials.

c. Detailed Description of Technical Objectives

The primary objective of the Adenovirus Core Laboratory is to manufacture and certify AAV vectors for clinical use. This requires extensive interaction with investigators technical expertise in the preparation of clinical-grade vectors, scientific knowledge of vector biology, and the ability to provide appropriate technical and scientific guidance to investigators.

d. Offerors must address the following points in their proposal:

1. Provide the names, degrees, training, qualifications, experience, role in project, and effort for each individual named in the offeror’s proposal and proposed subcontract(s).

2. Provide evidence of an established vector production core infrastructure, including experience in producing and providing clinical-grade vectors to investigators for specific research purposes.

Identify vectors that have been produced, release testing performed, studies for which they were produced, how production was monitored, and the costs associated with production. This information shall also be provided for proposed subcontract(s).

3. Identify the types of vectors that can be produced and the number of such vectors that can be produced on a monthly basis (rate of turn-over).

4. Provide a detailed description of proposed monitoring plans for the products to be produced, including applicable regulatory requirements.

5. Describe plans for the processing, storage, shipment, and analysis of vectors to be produced.

6. Provide evidence that the offeror and proposed subcontractor(s) have standard operating procedures in place.

7. Describe plans for the preparation and submission of vector production reports.

8. Describe plans to ensure consistency in the operations and performance of oversight functions.

9. Describe the offeror’s computer system capabilities to interface with other databases. Describe plans to maintain a database of all requests made for vector production, including the name of the requesting investigator, name of the project, name of the vector, procedure adopted for vector production, information on quality control, quality assurance methods, vector lot numbers, and dates of vector release.

10. Describe the laboratory facilities of the offeror and any proposed subcontractor(s).

11. Describe practices, equipment, and facilities that ensure biosafety of all personnel directly and indirectly involved in the production of vectors.

12. Describe the administrative structure of the proposed Core Laboratory.

13. Provide evidence of institutional commitment to this program.

14. Provide any other information needed to allow reviewers to judge the capability of the offeror to accomplish the Statement of Work.

e. Reference Material

This acquisition is a renewal of the existing GTRP program which is comprised of one clinical coordinating center and four core laboratories. Information about this program can be found at http://www.gtrp.org/.

Additionally, the Government recommends review of request for proposals for the GTRP Clinical Coordinating Center, Pharmacology/Toxicology Core Lab, Preclinical Vector Production Core Laboratory, and Lentivirus Vector Production Core Laboratory which are located in FedBizOpps.

Failure of offerors to examine the reference materials prior to proposal preparation and submission will be at the offeror's risk.

BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS

f. Clinical Grade Vector Production Core Laboratory Studies

The GTRP is a resource program and the Adenovirus Core Laboratory primarily will support gene therapy projects leading to clinical trials. The program also will consider a few projects on gene transfer that are likely to show promise in clinical applications. These projects will be evaluated for feasibility on a case-by-case basis by the NHLBI Gene Therapy Group. It is important to keep in mind that the focus of this program is not on mechanistic studies; rather it is a gene therapy resource service leading to clinical translation.

The Government considers that the uniform study cost assumptions for approximately 2 to 3 clinical grade vector production studies per year will be required for successful completion of the program objectives. The uniform study cost assumptions are for information only and are not to be considered restrictive for proposal purposes. The assumptions are formulated by NHLBI staff utilizing recent experience.

g. Travel

The Government considers that the travel assumptions identified below will be required for successful completion of the program objectives. The travel assumptions are for information only and are not to be considered restrictive for proposal purposes. The assumptions are formulated by NHLBI staff utilizing recent experience.

TRAVEL ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE ADENO-ASSOCIATED VIRUS CORE LAB

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Estimated Number of Meetings 2 2 2 2 2 Estimated Number of Days Per Meeting 2 2 2 2 2 Estimated Number of Lab Staff 2 2 2 2 2 SITE VISITS Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Estimated Number of Site Visits 2 2 1 1 1 Estimated Number of Days Per Meeting 1 1 1 1 1 Estimated Number of Lab Staff 2 2 2 2 2 SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Estimated Number of Trips 2 2 2 2 2 Estimated Number of Days Per Meeting 3 3 3 3 3 Estimated Number of Lab Staff 2 2 2 2 2

1. Govt. Rates verified at: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100000

2. Per Diem should be based on the Govt. Rate from Chicago, IL to Bethesda, MD

(Washington, DC metropolitan area).

3. Ground Transportation costs are for taxis to and from airports.

4. 3% escalation calculated for years 2 to 5.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100000�

h. Level of Effort

The Government considers that the personnel and estimated levels of effort identified below will be required for successful completion of the program objectives. Effort is shown as a percentage of full time equivalent (FTE) labor. The personnel and levels of effort listed are for information only and are not to be considered restrictive for proposal purposes. The levels are formulated by NHLBI staff utilizing recent experience.

Position Title

EFFORT

Principal Investigator 25% Co-Investigator 5% Co-Investigator 15% QA/QC Coordinator 70% Production Manager 50% Manufacturing Engineer 50% Research Administrator 35%

Total 250%

*The specified levels are equivalents for each 12 month period over a 5-years planned contract period.