J & A 2010924.pdf

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Project Title: MSD Plate Reader Sector S600

I . Identification of the agency and contracting activity

DHHS, NIH, NIAID, VRC

Address of the requesting lab/office: 40 Convent Drive, Blg. 40, Bethesda MD, 20892

II. Description of the project, and supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value)

A. Project Background Our mission here at the VRC is to determine the immune correlates of protection against emerging infectious diseases. One of the specific aims of the Douek lab is to understand processes that determine the course of human diseases in which the immune system plays a central role in their pathogenesis and outcome. We use the knowledge gained from studies on human disease directly in humans, with as little in vitro manipulation as possible to initiate clinical studies of new therapeutic and vaccine approaches. Many of our current projects will investigate RNA expression profiles of cell subsets from HTVN505 volunteers to identify markers are predictive of susceptibility to HIV acquisition. By far, the most robust approach to measure gene expression is RNA sequencing (RNAseq).

III. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition (SELECT ONE)

✓ 41 USC 253(c)(1) a n d F A R P a r t 6 . 3 0 2 - 1 : Only one responsible source

IV. 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)

Meso Scale Discovery 1601 Research Boulevard Rockville, MD 20850

B. Describe why only the requested supply/service will meet the government’s needs

This new equipment is The Meso Scale Discovery Sector S 600MM plate reader meets the needs of the lab by meeting the sensitivity level, reading both 96- and 384- well format plates in rapid succession, multiplexing of up to 10 analytes per well, using telecentric lenses. This instrument will be used for B cell culture supernatant antigen screening, Serum peptide competition mapping, Serum antibody concentration batch analyses, Measurement of serum cytokines and antibody isotyping.

The Sector S 600MM plate reader from Meso Scale Discovery is the only one that could fulfill the requirements for the laboratory.