Alcohol and other types of Chemosensory Perception in Human Twins Testing

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NICHD-23-255 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541990 and the business size standard is $19.5m. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intend to procure on a sole source basis with Monell Chemical Senses of Philadelphia, PA to conduct Alcohol and other types of chemosensory perception in human twins via testing materials and quiz developed by the Monell Chemical Senses Center.
Services to be Performed:
General Requirements
1. The Reed laboratory at the Monell Chemical Senses Center will independently perform and provide the necessary materials for the work proposed. 2. The relevant institution and governmental offices will monitor this research as appropriate.
Specific Requirements.
1. The workflow will proceed as follows:
Materials will be assembled to convey the research team to the testing venue which includes transportation, staff and subject payment, accommodation and testing kits including computer equipment needed for on-site data collection. A key material is the Monell Flavor Quiz which is a set of stimuli that probe for individual differences in taste, smell and chemesthesis. The cornerstone of this test is the inclusion of ethanol (alcohol) using a concentration determined by prior pilot research. Odorants include those commonly found in human foods but which are variable among people owing to inborn differences in receptor function.
Data will be collected for the human subjects using an online format that has been extensively pilot tested to be appropriate for adults. To that end, Monell personnel will follow their previously established procedures and saliva will be hand-carried in a safe and scientifically appropriate manner to the Reed laboratory where Monell personnel will extract DNA, dilute and measure it for concentration and purity using spectrophotometry and perhaps other methods. Monell personnel will evaluate the genomic DNA for quality and perform preliminary genotyping of candidate genes as a prelude for the genotype wide genotyping not covered under this statement of work.
Monell personnel will perform a statistical analysis of the data using the custom-built R scripts that will be available to all interested parties via the internet site Github.
2. All saliva will be from human samples; all appropriate institutional approvals will be in place before the work proceeds and all necessary precautions taken for analysis of this type of sample in the laboratory environment. Monell personnel will use the general workflow as outlined in this application to collect pilot data that supports this project. The saliva is decontaminated at the point of collection.
Period of Performance
The period of performance:
Sept 1st, 2023 – August 31st, 2024

DELIVERABLES
• Taste and smell data
• Tasting kits
Only the proposed vendor (Monell) can provide the requested item because there is no other vendor of
the Monell Flavor Quiz in existence, to the best of the Government’s knowledge, and based on
extensively review and other means to identify vendors. This is a custom item that has been developed
at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, which is research institute dedicated to the study of taste and
smell and is unique in the world in this regard; likewise, this product is unique to the (Monell) and to
this research center.
The proposed contract action is for supplies and/or services for which the Government intends to solicit
and negotiate with only one source under authority of the 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302. Only one
responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The offeror
must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and
Certifications – Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to
Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items; FAR Clause
52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and
Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items – Deviation for
Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. Note to vendor: The vendor must provide a
completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video
Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. The offeror must
include their Unique Entity ID (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and the certification of
business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Vendors capable
of furnishing the government with the services and or items specified in this synopsis should submit a
copy of their quotation/offer to the following email address: robinsti@mail.nih.gov Attn: Tina Robinson
by the due date and time below. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties
and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements.
Quotations will be due on July 24, 2023, before 10:00 am EDT. The quotation must reference
Solicitation number NICHD-23-255 and Solicitation number NICHD-23-255 must be on/in subject line
of email. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered
by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov and must include
Solicitation number NICHD-23-255 in the subject line of email.
Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered as all awards and have valid
certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) @ www.Sam.gov. Lack of valid registration
in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award.