Histology Services

Description

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality.   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 

Histology services play a pivotal role in vascular senescence research by providing essential techniques for identifying senescent cells in both mouse and human tissues. Histological analysis allows researchers to visualize cellular and tissue structures with high resolution, enabling the identification of senescent cells based on specific markers or morphological characteristics. Staining techniques such as senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining or immunohistochemistry targeting senescence markers like p16 or p21 facilitate the precise localization and quantification of senescent cells within vascular tissues. Furthermore, histological examination provides spatial context, allowing researchers to understand the distribution and association of senescent cells with other cellular components in the vascular microenvironment. This comprehensive approach aids in unraveling the role of senescent cells in vascular aging and age-related diseases in both preclinical models and human samples.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this requirement is to stain tissues using a variety of techniques to discern differences and observations in studies of senescent cells in vascular aging and age-related diseases in preclinical models, human samples, and mouse models.

Project requirements

Please see the Statement of Work (SOW) attached to this Notice.

Contract Type and Anticipated Period of Performance

The Governmentanticipates making one (1) firm, fixed-price award with a period of performance of 12 months.

Required Information

Responses must include information about the respondent’s capability and capacity to successfully perform the tasks listed in the attached Statement of Work. Vendors with prior, similar experience should clearly demonstrate that experience and include information on the size and scope of that experience. If prior experience was gained with the Government as a prime or subcontractor, describe the size and scope of the work, the Federal agency supported, and provide the contract number. Vendors seeking to respond to this Notice as part of a teaming arrangement should include the requested information from each vendor in the proposed team.

Responses must also include –

(1) UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)  

(2) organization name

(3) organization address

(4) point of contact

(5) point of contact title, address, telephone, and email address

(6) size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.) pursuant the applicable NAICS code

Interested companies 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 notice number.

Submission Instructions and Due Date

Responses must be submitted electronically to Kimberly Espinosa, Contracting Officer, at kimberly.espinosa@nih.gov no later than the date and time listed above.  

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. 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).