Sources Sought_75N95023Q00181.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Sources Sought Number: 75N95023Q00181

2. Title: 3D Liver Microtissues Composed of Human Primary Hepatocytes and a Mixture of Human Primary Hepatocyte, Liver Endothelial Cells and Kupffer Cells

3. Classification Code: 6505- Drugs and Biologicals

4. NAICS Code: 325414- Biological Product (Except Diagnostic) Manufacturing

5. Description:

This is a Sources Sought notice in which any entity, large or small business, may respond. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualif ied sources to perform a potential requirement, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality.

For equipment/supply requirements responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e., address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture), as well as (2) the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualif ied companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only

Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation’s leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge. The mission of the NIH also includes enhancing health, lengthening life, reducing illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improves and saves people’s health and lives.

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a part of the NIH, with a mission to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing, and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions.

There is a need to establish in vitro predictive assays for drug discovery and development.

The NCATS 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory is assembling a portfolio of 3D tissue models in microplate format that can be used for drug testing. In order to accelerate the creation of a ready to use tissue platforms to be able to rapidly respond to health care crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3D Tissue Bioprinting laboratory develops its own tissue models. In addition, this system also looks for opportunities within 3D tissue models that are commercially available, well validated and ready to use. There is a contractor identif ied by scientists at the 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory (3DTBL) as a company that produces live functional 3D liver microtissues, in a ready to use HTS compatible multiwell plate format. NCATS will use these 3D liver microtissues composed of human primary hepatocytes and a mixture of human primary hepatocyte, liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells to study viral infectivity, effects of viral infectivity on liver function biomarkers, and effect of anti-viral compounds on viral infection.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this requirement is to procure one 5x 384 well plated live and functional pre-assembled 3D liver tissues containing human primary hepatocytes (single cell type) and containing human primary hepatocyte, liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells, shipped live and ready to use identified as Insphero’s 3D InSight™ Human Liver Microtissues.For the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

(NCATS).

Project Requirements: See the attached Purchase Description for the complete list of brand-name items, descriptions, and salient characteristics.

Purchase Description:

The purpose of this requirement is to procure one 5x 384 well plated live and functional pre-assembled 3D liver tissues containing human primary hepatocytes (single cell type) and containing human primary hepatocyte, liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells, shipped live and ready to use identif ied as Insphero’s 3D InSight™ Human Liver Microtissues.For the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).

Contract Type and Anticipated Period of Performance / Delivery Date: The Government anticipates awarding a firm fixed-price purchase order under a future solicitation. The anticipated delivery date is 60 days after receipt of order.

Other important considerations: In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulf illing the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25.

Capability statement /information sought. Large and Small business concerns that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualif ications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Large and Small businesses must also provide their Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information.

Interested small businesses are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration.

The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

The respondent must also provide their Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist .

Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

Responses must be received by 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 7, 2023, and reference Sources Sought Number 75N95023Q00181 Responses must be submitted by email to Chandani Hangilipola, Contract Specialist, chandani.hangilipola@nih.gov.

“Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”

mailto:chandani.hangilipola@nih.gov