NINR Longitudinal Changes Study

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT.
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) intends to negotiate a contract on a
sole source basis with the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. The purpose of the contract is for the University to conduct a Longitudinal Study to determine the following:
• To determine the predictive value of longitudinal changes in blood-based brain biomarker values (including very early [10 weeks] post-injury values) for concussion recovery;
• To confirm the feasibility of collecting serum/plasma using a lancet-based device (Tasso Hemolink) and compare biomarker values measured in samples collected using this device to those obtained via venipuncture;
• To collect and bank peripheral blood mononuclear cells at 2 post-mTBI time points for future DNA and mRNA analysis.
The study would take place within Monroe County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units, and at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Strong Emergency Department (ED). Follow-up visits will take place at the URMC Saunders Research Building and at off-site locations (i.e. at a patient's home). Analysis of serum samples will take place in the Gill Lab at NINR. The goal is to recruit 30-40 subjects providing blood samples at all 4 study time points. To achieve this sample size will require enrollment of approximately 100 subjects who present to the URMC ED with a trauma mechanism (i.e. head impact or acceleration-deceleration event) will participate in the study. The University of Rochester is the only university that can meet these needs.

Responses
The proposed acquisition action is for items and/or services for which the
Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the
authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b). If you believe you can provide the items or
services, please forward capability statements to john.alozie@nih.gov by 5pm
(ET) on Tuesday September 17, 2019 and reference solicitation number
NIHOLAO-OD3-NOI-5495364.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract
acquisition based upon responses to the 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.
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. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. 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.
Any solicitation resulting from the analysis of information obtained will be
announced to the public in Federal Business Opportunities in accordance with
the FAR Part 5. However, responses to this notice will not be considered
adequate responses to a solicitation. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or
sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government
reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any
resultant solicitation(s).

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