NIMH-08-DN-00019-Amend-1.pdf

RFP Number : NIMH-08-DN-00018 Amendment 1

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OFFICE OF ACQUISITIONS, NEUROSCIENCE

NIMH R&D CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT BRANCH

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NIH

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NUMBER: NIMH-08-DN-00018

Amendment No.: 1

Date of Issuance: May 27, 2008

The above numbered Request For Proposal (RFP) is amended as set forth below. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offerors remains unchanged:

Offerors MUST acknowledge receipt of the amendment prior to the hour and the date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by separate letter, telegram, or Electronic Mail which includes a reference to the RFP and Amendment number(s). For your convenience, the Proposal Intent Response Form is provided in SECTION J - List of Attachments of this RFP, for this purpose.

FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERORS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER.

This Amendment revises the RFP as stated below:

OPTION 04 - SUPPLY OF TISSUE THROUGH THIS CONTRACT

a. Although the NIMH has issued a separate RFP for the tissue supply (NIMH-08- DN-00018) the aforementioned tissue supply may be proposed as part of this proposal (subcontracting is permitted - therefore, any references herein to a tissue acquisition "contractor" could also include a tissue acquisition "subcontractor").

b. There may be advantages to the overall project if coordination and control of the tissue supply is under the purview of a prime contractor via a prime/sub relationship. If you are proposing a subcontract to supply the tissue, you should discuss the advantages of such an arrangement (e.g. a previous working relationship, easier coordination, etc.).

c. The Government reserves the right to award the tissue supply as part of this proposal or as a separate prime contract with NIMH.

d. Description: Preparation of Developing Brain Tissue from Rhesus macaque for Gene Expression Analysis

Critical to the first stages of this developmental gene expression map of the Rhesus macaque is obtaining precisely dissected and appropriately prepared brain tissue from non-human primates raised in naturalistic, free-ranging colonies.

The offeror shall use state-of-the-art methodologies and protocols to achieve/provide the following:

(1) Access to nursery-reared Rhesus macaques from free ranging colonies raised in outdoor corrals that are at least ½ acre in size, and housed in naturalistic group settings that allow for normal social interactions. All procedures shall be in compliance with NIH and DHHS policies on the care and use of animals in research;

(2) Accurate and secure records including date of birth, genotype and hierarchical status;

(3) Personnel with expertise in: (1) Rhesus macaque neuroanatomy; (2) animal brain tissue extraction; (3) expertise in the dissection and blocking of tissue from specific brain regions in Rhesus macaques; and (4) expertise in the preparation of tissue for in situ hybridization analysis and Nissl staining must be responsible for this aspect of the project;

(4) From humanely sacrificed animals, isolate and prepare high-quality brain tissue blocks from five brain regions (medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, ventral striatum, and primary visual cortex) for in situ hybridization and Nissl staining for the purpose of generating a gene expression map of the developing Rhesus macaque brain.

Tissue blocks from the above 5 brain regions shall be prepared from a minimum of four (4) animals (2 female, 2 male)

- 2 -at each of five (5) defined developmental time points (birth, 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 6 years) for a minimum of 20 animals in total;

(5) Any new techniques/approaches to facilitate achievement of the overall project objectives of creating a gene expression map (beyond mere tissue dissection and shipment);

(6) access to imaging facilities and equipment to ensure no structural abnormalities in the brains to be dissected from the appropriate animals;

(7) As directed by the Project Officer, by the end of this contract transfer to the NIH (or to a designated third party) all data and unused brain tissue collected. These materials are the sole property of the U.S. Government;

e. OPTIONS TO COINCIDE WITH PRIME CONTRACT (CREATION OF GENE EXPRESSION ATLAS)

(1) If an extension of time is needed for creation of the gene expression atlas because of delay, or if supply of additional tissue is needed for additional brain regions/developmental stages, this tissue supply contract/subcontract shall have provisions to extend and to provide additional tissue if necessary (see previous Options 1-3).

(2) These options may be required if all of the animals were not available within the first two years of the contract, if there were significant delays in harvesting the required tissue or the effort to create the Atlas, or if additional work is required as outlined herein.

(3) As progress is made in gene mapping efforts in mammalian model organisms and new approaches and methodologies are developed, the needs and focus of this contract may expand to accommodate the mapping of additional genes in more brain regions.

If these options are exercised by the Government, the tissue supply contractor/subcontractor shall:

• OPTION FOR ADDITIONAL BRAIN REGIONS: prepare up to 3 additional brain regions at the same developmental stages. The Project Officer shall approve the additional brain regions for the work during any option periods. No new animals will be needed under this option.

[ NOTE 1 TO THE OFFEROR: FOR THE PURPOSES OF PREPARING A COST PROPOSAL, ASSUME 3

ADDITIONAL BRAIN REGIONS WILL BE PREPARED FROM THE ORIGINAL 20 SACRIFICED ANIMALS; PROVIDE

A TOTAL COST, AND A COST PER BRAIN REGION]

• OPTION FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES: prepare originally specified brain region tissue from 1-3 additional developmental stages (ages). The Project Officer shall approve the additional development stages. This option will require 4 - 12 additional animals.

[ NOTE 2 TO THE OFFEROR: FOR THE PURPOSES OF PREPARING A COST PROPOSAL, ASSUME 12 ADDITIONAL ANIMALS WILL BE REQUIRED, 2 MALE AND 2 FEMALE EACH, AT AGES: PRE-NATAL, 6 MONTHS, AND 4 YEARS; PROVIDE TOTAL COSTS AND COSTS PER ANIMAL FOR THE TOTAL POSSIBLE 12 ANIMALS].

f. REQUIREMENTS OF SUBCONTRACT PROPOSALS

If subcontractors are proposed, please include a commitment letter from the subcontractor detailing:

(If subcontractors are proposed, please include a commitment letter from the subcontractor detailing:

(1) Willingness and qualifications to perform as a subcontractor for specific duties (list duties)

(2) What priority the work will be given and how it will relate to other work.

(3) The amount of time and facilities available to this project.

(4) Information on their cognizant field audit offices.

(5) How rights to publications and patents are to be handled.

(6) A complete cost proposal in the same format as the offeror's cost proposal;

(7) brief technical proposal with approach to the Statement of Work including objectives, approach, methods, schedule, personnel, and other considerations to support qualifications.

Note: Organizations that plan to enter into a subcontract with an educational concern under a contract awarded under this RFP should refer to the following Web Site for a listing of clauses that are required to be incorporated in Research & Development (R&D) subcontracts with educational institutions:

http://ocm.od.nih.gov/contracts/rfps/FDP/FDPclausecover.htm

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