NIMH Postmortem Human Brain Collection

This is a Sources Sought notice.  This is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.  The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. 

This sources sought notice will also be used to identify small businesses and 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; women-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 appropriate. 

Description(s):

The mission of the NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses

through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. NIMH

fulfills its mission by: Supporting and conducting research on mental illnesses and the

underlying basic science of the brain and behavior.

Background:

The Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is a

brain bank dedicated to the acquisition and distribution of brain and associated tissue, to better

understand the causes, consequences, and potential treatments of neurological and psychiatric

disorders. The HBCC also acquires brains of children to study changes in brain

chemistry and structure that occur during development. HBCC seeks tissue from both

psychiatrically healthy and afflicted individuals to establish the neuropathological

changes underlying complex neuropsychiatric disorders. This research will lead to improved

diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of these illnesses and their consequences. Therefore, the

NIMH has a need to locate a source(s) capable of providing donor specimens on an on-going

basis from licensed Medical Examiner's Offices or other sources such as hospitals to continue

this research.

Purpose:

The Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),

explores the causes, consequences, and potential treatments of numerous neurological and

psychiatric disorders. HBCC research is supplemented by studying postmortem brain tissue

from both psychiatrically healthy and afflicted individuals in order to establish the

neuropathological changes underlying these complex neuropsychological disorders.  This

research will lead to improved diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of these illnesses and their

consequences.  Therefore the NIMH has a need to locate a source(s) capable of providing donor

specimens on an on-going basis from licensed Medical Examiner's Offices, to continue this

research.

The requirements are specified in the attached Statement of Work.

Capability Responses:
In order to respond to this notice, Contractors must be able to clearly convey their capability. 

Responses should be clear, concise, and provide adequate detail for evaluation. Responses must not simply rephrase or restate the government’s requirements but provide convincing rationale to address how the responder has the capability to meet requirements.

Capability responses should indicate current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; and provide examples of prior completed government contracts and other related information. Interested organizations are required to identify their 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.

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 pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities.  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).