Hybridoma Development Studies

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

General Information

            Document Type:                        Presolicitation Notice

            Solicitation Number:                  TBD

            Posted Date:                             16 October 2024

            NAICS Code:                325414: Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing

            Set Aside:                                 N/A

Contracting Office

            United States Army Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)

Description

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY – This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future.  At this time a solicitation is not available and requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.  All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government.  Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

USAMRAA is issuing this RFI as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support the requirement identified in the below DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS) - for Hybridoma Development Studies and Antibody Production.

                        Hybridoma Development Studies and Antibody Production

This new requirement is for the development of new hybridomas from animals vaccinated at USAMRIID, as well as the production of antibodies from these hybridomas. In addition, protein production for various assays at USAMRIID is required.  For the hybridoma development, the hand delivery of splenocytes from vaccinated animals is required to maintain viability of the cells for fusion. Additionally, hand delivery of samples for testing the hybridomas during development is optimal to ensure timely data exchange to identify the optimal cell lines and reduce contract culturing costs. In addition, the production of antibodies from USAMRIID supplied hybridomas are required. To maintain the viability of the spleen cells, the tissue must be rapidly handed over to the provider and therefore the company must be located within 25 miles of USAMRIID.  

The products will be used to support vaccine and therapeutic efficacy testing for several small animal models for numerous viruses, to include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). USAMRIID requires a significant amount of the purified monoclonal antibodies from the developed hybridomas for numerous small animal model studies. These antibodies and hybridomas will be required from FY25-FY30.        

The information received as a result of this RFI, will be used within USAMRAA and the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to facilitate decision making and will not be disclosed outside of USAMRAA or USAMRIID. If the information provided contains propriety information, such information must be identified with an appropriate disclaimer.

USAMRAA, in support of USAMRIID, is exploring options for the development of new hybridomas from animals vaccinated at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), as well as the production of antibodies from these hybridomas. Additionally, protein production for various assays at USAMRIID is required.

If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information:

1. Fill out the chart (Organization name, address, website address, size and type of ownership for the organization, Cage Code, Unity Entity ID (from SAM.gov) and point of contact including their title, telephone number and email address;
2. Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation to support claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.
3. The capability statements shall address, at a minimum, the following items:
4. 1. What type of work has your company performed in the past in support of the same or similar requirement?
   2. Can or has your company managed a similar task of this nature? If so, please provide details.
   3. Can or has your company managed a team of subcontractors before? If so, provide details.
   4. What specific technical skills does your company possess which ensure capability to perform the tasks?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION DETAILS

Fill in the below table and include it with your submission:

Company Name

Company Address

Point of Contact

Phone Number

E-mail Address

Tax Identification Number (TIN)

Cage Code

Unique Entity ID

Company Web Page

Company Location(s)

Company is / is not a Small Business

Company is / is not System for Award Management (SAM) Registered

Other Classifications (e.g. 8(a), HUBZone, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned)

If 8(a), date that the company graduates from the program.

Interested parties capable of providing the requirements described in the DRAFT PWS are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement of no more than ten (10) pages in length in Times New Roman font of no less than 10 pitch. All submissions shall be submitted in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF).

Responding to this request with generic material only such as brochures, advertisements or other generic material is highly discouraged. Vendors are encouraged to provide questions regarding any ambiguities noted within the DRAFT Scope of Work.

The Government welcomes input and will accept questions pertaining to this RFI; however, the Government reserves the right to answer or not to answer all questions received.  Questions pertaining to this RFI are due by 1300 ET on 22 October 2024. Only one set of questions per vendor will be accepted.  Contact with Government personnel, other than those specified in this request, by potential vendors or their employee’s regarding this requirement is not permitted. 

All responses to this RFI must be provided via email no later than (NLT) 1300 Eastern Time on 26 October 2024 to Shelley Wallace via email at shelley.a.wallace2.civ@health.mil.    No extensions will be granted.