AJ11--Genome Editing Stem Cell Model Mice

Summary: This is a Sources Sought notice and not a request for quotes. This request is solely for the purpose of conducting market research to enhance VHA s understanding of the market s offered products, services and capabilities. The Government will not pay any costs for responses submitted in response to this Sources Sought. Â

This Sources Sought notice provides an opportunity for respondents to submit their notice of ability, and their available products and services in response to the requirement described below. Vendors are being invited to submit information relative to their potential of fulfilling the requirement below, in the form of a capability response that addresses the specific requirement identified in this Sources Sought. Â

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking a vendor to provide the following products and/or services below. Please see the General Requirements section below for the requested products/services and descriptions. This Sources Sought is to facilitate the Contracting Officer s review of the market base, for acquisition planning, size determination, and procurement strategy. Â

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The Department of Veterans Affairs, Indianapolis VA Medical Center, is in need of two novel genetically engineered mouse models to study the in vivo biology of sclerostin and zinc finger protein 384, with the ability to induce protein depletion at any age of growth and development. Â

The overall objective of the work is to generate 2 novel models of sclerostin and Zfp384 which allow for small-molecule-based targeting of the endogenous protein for degradation through the proteosome. The goal is to achieve models that can induce loss-of-function (protein degradation) but are also reversible. This goal is not achievable with floxed models, which are the common techniques to facilitate inducible gene/protein disruption. This condition therefore does not model the clinical condition where drugs/therapeutics are given and can be withheld/discontinued, thereby restoring the pre-existing biology. The models intended to build will be fully reversible and therefore high-fidelity models of eventual drug treatment. Â

Technical Specifications/ salient characteristics Â

Two sets of founder mice (heterozygous) models Â

long-range PCR at both 5 and 3 ends to ensure degradation tag is correct Â

properly tarted with PROTAC/dTAG system Â

functional sclerostin or Zfp384 protein product that is tagged with a degradation moiety. Â

Allow to fulfill bone metabolism experiments before and after protein degradation.  Â

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5. Delivery: Â

Department of Veterans Affairs, IndianapolisÂ

Indianapolis, IN 46202Â

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RESPONSE COMMITMENT Â

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I. Response: Â

A. Capability statement and with general understanding of the industry and current knowledge and subcontract networks that would be used to support the requirement as identified herein. Provide small business information for your company and any subcontractors. Â

B. Submittals furnished will not be returned to the sender. No debriefs will be conducted. Eligibility in participating in a future acquisition does not depend upon a response to this notice. Â

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II. Timeline: Â

A. This request will close on stated date within the Government Point of Entry (GPE). Â

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Notes: Â

This Sources Sought is for planning purposes only to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification (large business, small business, 8(a), SDVOSB, etc.), relative to NAICS code 541715. Responses to this source sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement and who is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller of all the items listed above, may submit a capability statement to the contracting office than no later than Thursday, March 21, 2024, 12:00 PM EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent by e-mail: rachael.talbott@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. Â

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