SOW Schistosomiasis for eggs_v3_722024.pdf

Version 3: 7/2/2024

Schistosoma Eggs Statement of Work (SOW)

A. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of the world's foremost biomedical research organizations. It is the principal Federal agency for the conduct and support of medical research in the United States. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of Intramural Research (DIR) was established to conduct and support research to better understand the causes of allergic, immunologic, and infectious diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing, and treating illness.

Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent disease in the developing world. Research has been designed to understand the pathology of disease by characterizing the host’s immune response to parasite eggs as well as the nature of protective immunity. Studies are ultimately aimed at developing a schistosome anti-infection and/or anti-pathology vaccine, which may be used in both visitors to endemic areas as well as person endemically exposed. The prevention of the disease is a goal, which benefits the United States and the developing world.

B. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this acquisition is to provide services to maintain the life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni for the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases (LPD) and provide investigators with the egg stage of the parasite life cycle. Schistosoma eggs are used in murine models to investigate inflammation; host immune responses to egg antigens; and induction of granulomas. The eggs are utilized for in vitro assays and for in vivo experiments in which the eggs may be delivered intraperitoneally or intravascularly.

C. SCOPE

The contractor shall deliver Schistosoma mansoni eggs monthly, or on an as-needed basis, that will be used to develop a schistosome anti-infection and/or anti-pathology vaccine.

D. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS:

The contractor shall:

• Harvest and deliver once per month to the NIH, eggs of Schistosoma mansoni, strain Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI), as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). For planning purposes, the minimum annual quantity of eggs shall be 1,200,000. The Contractor shall make every effort to deliver 100,000 eggs on the 1st or 3rd Thursday of each month, or on an as-needed basis, between 10 am - 1 pm, within the following guidelines:

1. Eggs shall be delivered to the NIH within 1 hour of the liver isolation protocol to insure viability.

2. Eggs shall be kept chilled on wet ice and/or delivered in a chilled insulated shipper to maintain egg viability as well as reduce hatching.

• All deliveries shall be made to the COR at the location(s) specified by the contract, or discussion with the COR for any alternate location.

Government Furnished There will be no Government furnished supplies or materials.

Version 3: 7/2/2024

E. OPTIONS

In addition to the services/quantities outlined above to be provided for the base requirement, Options(s) for additional services/quantities under the contract may be exercised at the discretion of the Government and are defined as follows:

Option 1 – 4: Extend the Period of Performance: The Government includes options to extend the period of the performance. Each option is for one additional year or less of performance. The total period of performance resulting from the base period plus all potential Term Options is four (4) years. If Option 1-4 are exercised, the services required will be the same as provided during the base year.

Additional Quantity Options: The Government may exercise options for an additional 50,000 eggs per month at the most two months/year, that may result from unanticipated increases in demand.

Should the Government elect to exercise these options, the Contractor shall provide resources for the unanticipated increase of up to 50,000 additional units per option. Two (2) options for 50,000 eggs each will be included in the base and all option periods.

F. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

All written documents for this contract shall be submitted electronically in a format readable by standard word processing technology. All electronic files shall be submitted to the Task Leader, COR and Contracting Officer as designated.

In addition to any other required reporting set forth elsewhere by the Contract, submission of the following Technical Progress Reports shall also be required:

Quarterly Reports: The contractor shall submit two (2) copies of a quarterly summary report that documents and summarizes the results of each quarter of the contract reporting period. Brief and factual progress reports will be submitted using the following format:

• A cover page containing:

• Contract number and title

• Period of performance being reported

• Contractor’s name and address

• Author’s name(s)

• Date of preparation

SECTION I – An introduction covering the period and scope of the contract.

SECTION II – Number of shipments made, including quantities of items shipped during the quarter.