University_of_Texas_JOFOC_2017.pdf

Justification for than Full and

"Source Se/ectlo n lnformation - see FAR 2.101 and 3.104"

1. ldentification ofthe agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. HHS. NIH

b. Sponsoring organization. NlA, TGB

c. Project Officer information.

1. Project Officer name. Julie Mattison

2. Mailing address. 16701 Elmer School Rd. Bldg 103, Dickerson, MD 20842

3. E-mailaddress. Mattisonj@mail.nih.gov

4. Telephone number. 301-435-7637

Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives. The proposed contract is forthe award of a professional services contract to assist in the NIA study, "Assessment of Primate Aging: Effects of Caloric Modification." The purpose of this contract is to provide pathological services on tissue obtained from the over 12O monkeys which started on this long-term study. Pathological analysis represents a critical endpoint for our study to assess whether caloric modification has reduced the incidence of age-related disease and pathology. As part ofour inier-agency agreement with the Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR), following death, all monkeys are necropsied, and tissues are collected according to an established protocol. Tissues are frozen and stored or fixed and then prepared for histologr.

Pathologists, with expertise in geriatric animals, and in particular nonhuman primates, are required to objectively examine the tissue slides to provide a quantitative analysis of pathology. Additionally, the proposed contract provides for long{erm storage of all banked tissues under appropriate conditions, inventory, and distribution as requested.

b. Project background.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value).

a. Project title. Pathology services, analysis, and archiving of aging monkey trssues

b. Project description. Following the gross necropsy and tissue collection by the pathology department of the Division of Veterinary Resources, NlH, samples will be transferred to the contractor for storage and analysis. Frozen tissues will be kept in ultraiow freezers (provided by NIA) at -80 degrees C. Slides and paraffin blocks will be stored in appropriate containers in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room. All tissues will be assigned an accession number and an electronic catalog system will be maintained and provided to the Project Officer.

The proposed contractor, Dr. lkeno, an internationally recognized expert in geriatric pathology will conduct a pathological analysis of the selected tissues. He will provide a written report on his analysis along with the quantitative analysis rating the severity of the pathology observed in the tissue samples. He will maintain a computerized record of his findings as well as the archive of the tissues that he has received and make these records and archive available to project scientists.

SOW attached

1. Requirement type.

0 Research & development (R&D) O R& D support services X Support services (non-R&D) O Supplies/equipment A Information technology (lT) D Construction D Architect-engineer (A & E) services B Design-build tr Other (specify):

2. Type of action.

O New requirement X Follow-on O Other (specify):

3. Proposed contracuorder type.

X Firm-fixed-orice tr Other fixed-prrce (specify, e.9., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee):

E Cost- olus-fixed-fee O Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.9., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee):

O Time and materials tr Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements):

O Other (specify):

E Comoletion Form D Term form

4. Acquisition identification number. TBD

5. c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

The fixed cost for six months of service is $60,000.

ldentification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

X This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 253(cX1&2) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302- r&2.

tr This acquisition is conducted under the authority of section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996.

D This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (41 U.S.C. 428a).

Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

Barshop Institute for Aging and Longevity Studies The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 15355 Lambda Drive San Antonio, TX 78245-3207

Attn: Yuji lkeno, M.D., Ph.D.

b. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s).

The contract requires significant knowledge and experience in pathological analyses of aging monkey tissue- In addition, the means for processing and archiving the tissue sent to the contractor must be manifest. As Head of the Pathology Core of the San Antonio Nathan Shock Aging Center in the Barshop Center for Longevtty and Aging Studies, Dr. lkeno is an rnternationally recognized expert in geriatric pathology as documented by his certification in human pathology. Dr. lkeno has conducted published studjes on the pathology of numerous laboratory animals and is an expert in the pathology of animals undergoing calorie restriction. He will be assisted in these studies by Dr. Gene Hubbard, who is the head of pathology at the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SWNPRC) and board certified in both laboratory animal medicine and veterinary pathology. As documented by his numerous publications in the field, Dr. Hubbard is generally recognized as the veterinary pathologist with the most experience in analysis of aging nonhuman primate tissue. The SWNPRC maintains large colonies of aging baboons and rhesus monkeys and also has squirrel monkeys. Dr. Hubbard is responsible for the pathological services for all studies in which these animals are involved. Dr. Hubbard's storage and archiving services at SWNPRC have served as a model for many other primate centers.

The proposed contract is an extension ofthe existing contract to Dr. Yuji lkeno. These tissue samples have been collected since 1987 from aging animals on the NIA Caloric Restriction and Aging Project. Given the longitudinal value and precise requirements for storage, any variation in the maintenance of these tissues or transfer to a different facility could damage the integrity of the tissue and would impose a large financial burden. Failure to maintain consistency could affect 30 years worth of aging monkey tissue which is an extremely valuable asset to the outcome of the NIA project. Additionally, the pathology analysis is in progress and for scientific integrity needs to be completed by the same evaluator. Any change in course at this time would require that all previous work be re-verified for reliability which would be time and cost prohibitive.

6. Description ofthe efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a FedBizOpps notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies. The proposed contract is a continuation of a current contract to Dr. lkeno. The proposed contractors are currently storing samples from more than 100 monkeys and tissue analysis is underway. No FedBizOpps notice will be publicized based on FAR 5.202.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cosuprice to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The contracting officer anticipates a fair and reasonable price. The proposed contractor has provided continuous support with minimal or no change in price despite increasing demands for storage and analysis over the years.

8. Description ofthe market research conducted (see FAR Part'10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market Research was conducted by the Contract Specialist posted a "Notice of Intentions" on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) to inform vendors of the requirement. As a result, no vendors responded.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

N/A

10. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No other sources have expressed an interest, in writing, in the proposed acquisition.

1'l . Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the required supplies or services. N/A

12. Program office certification.

This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government's minimum needs, schedule requirements and other rationale for other than full and open competition, are accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Project Officer Julie Mattison

Staff Scientist

IL

JL,,t u ful rtlt 5i'-

2t3t2017

Project Officer's lmmediate Supervisor

Luigi Ferrucci

Scientiflc Director

Head of the Sponsoring

Program Office

13. Contracting Officer certifi cation.

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Tide Signature Date

Contracting Officer

14. Chief of the Contracting Office and Head of the Gontracting Activity signature(s).

Official Name & Tide Signature Date

Chief of the Contracting

Office

Head of the Contracling

Activity

15. CompetitionAdvocatesignature.

16. HHS Senlor Procurement Ex€cutiye 3lgnatut€,