Characterization of Human Arterial lmmunoglobulin Repertoire (CHAIR)

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION
NON-COMPETITIVE

Solicitation Number: HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-CSS-18-046
Title: Characterization of Human Arterial lmmunoglobulin Repertoire (CHAIR)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Office of Acquisition, Contracts Management Branch Blue, on behalf of the National Institute of Aging intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (Including brand-name) to Johns Hopkins University for the isolation and analysis of human arterial tissue under the authority of FAR 6.302.

ALL RESPONSIBLE SOURCES MAY SUBMIT A CAPABILITY STATEMENT, PROPOSAL, OR QUOTATION BY THE CLOSE DATE OF THIS COMBINED SYNOPSIS SOLICITATION, WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED BY THE AGENCY. A DETERMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO NEGOTIATE EXCLUSIVELY WITH THIS PROPOSED CONTRACTOR BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE IS SOLELY WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT. INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL NORMALLY BE CONSIDERED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER TO CONDUCT A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT.

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-96, dated 11/06/2017.

(iv) The associated NAICS code 621111 and the small business size standard $11.0 million. This requirement has no set-aside restrictions.

(v) The purpose of this acquisition is to cover the cost of isolating of human arterial tissue during surgery. Arterial and peripheral B cells will be analyzed to assess whether chronic inflammation during atherosclerosis drives the generation and activation of specific antibody clones. It is anticipated that the Contractor will provide two individuals; one to collect tissue during surgery and one to prepare and analyze the tissue post surgery.

The Contractor will present the research study to the participants, confirm that they meet the inclusion criteria, and coordinate with NIA researchers when the surgeries will take place. During the procedure, the Contractor will isolate tissue relevant to the research study in conjunction with NIA researchers present in the operating room, place the tissue in 1x PBS storage container, and provide the peripheral blood to NIA researchers.

NIA investigators will be responsible for arriving in the operating room prior to the tissue extraction, confirming participant consent to take tissue, provide tissue collection containers, and retrieve the tissue from the Contractor during the operation. This tissue will then be transported to NIA for experimental analysis.

(vii) The anticipated period of performance is from 03/12/2018-12/31/2018

(viii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(ix) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: (i) Technical capability of key personnel offered to meet the Government requirement; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price.

Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price.

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(x) The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer.

(xi) The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xii) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xiii) The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices: Active IRB approval.

(xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

(xv) Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount.

In addition the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

All responses must be received by Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time and reference number HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-CSS-18-046. Responses may be submitted electronically to Jon Gottschalk, jon.gottschalk@nih.gov.

Fax responses will not be accepted.

(xvi) The name and telephone number of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation: Jon Gottschalk, jon.gottschalk@nih.gov, (301) 443-9456.