Nonhuman Primate Core Virology Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine Research and Development

Introduction:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports research related to the basic understanding of microbiology and immunology leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immunemediated diseases. The NIAID, Division of AIDS has a requirement for the conduct of quantitative viral RNA measurements for assessment of HIV/SIV vaccine efficacy in preclinical studies with nonhuman primates.

Description:
The NIAID provides immunological and virological support for nonhuman primate studies conducted at NIAID's Simian Vaccine Evaluation Unit contract sites (SVEUs) and by AIDS vaccine researchers through three Nonhuman Primate Immunology and Virology Laboratories for AIDS Vaccine Research and Development, previously called the NHP "Core Laboratories." The objective of the Core Laboratories has been to ensure
standardization and comparability of the assays conducted for preclinical NHP studies and to provide a common basis for assessment of the immunogenicity and efficacy of candidate HIV and SIV vaccines. Advanced BioScience Laboratories, Inc. holds the current contract for the Nonhuman Primate Core Virology Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine Research and Development (HHSN272201100022C).

Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of the proposed contract is to provide a nonhuman primate virology laboratory that will conduct quantitative viral RNA measurements in support of studies that evaluate prototype AIDS vaccines in nonhuman primates. The contract will support the conduct, improvement, and development of assays designed to measure viral RNA loads in nonhuman primates that have been immunized with candidate HIV or SIV vaccines and challenged with SIV or SHIV in studies conducted at DAIDS Simian Vaccine Evaluation Unit contract sites or by NIHsupported investigators.

The Contractor shall use state of the art technologies to accomplish the contract objectives and shall incorporate new and improved technologies into contract activities when appropriate.

Anticipated period of performance:
It is anticipated that one cost reimbursement, term type contract will be awarded for a 1year Base period plus six 1year options for a possible total period of performance of 7 years beginning on or about December 29, 2017. The performance requirement will be for the delivery of 2.35 full time equivalents (FTEs) per year for the base period (Year 1) and option periods (Years 2 through 7), which may be unilaterally exercised by the Government. In addition, the Government may exercise options to accommodate significant increases in work to be provided for the base period and option periods. Should the Government elect to exercise these options, the Contractor shall provide resources for the unanticipated increase in work volume by .5 FTE for each option exercised. The Government may exercise an option one time in any year of the contract.

Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Agency. This RFP will be available electronically on/about November 17, 2016, and may be accessed through FedBizOpps http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. For this solicitation, the NIAID requires proposals be submitted Online via the NIAID electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website. Submission of proposals by facsimile or email is not acceptable. For directions on using eCPS, go to the website https://ecps.nih.gov and then click on "How to Submit."