Protein Measurements from Plasma - Multi-Center Assessment of Precision Nutrition Proteomic Biomarkers of Health and Aging in Clinical Biofluids – Proteomic Essays.

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; (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition.

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Background:  Whether individual responses to different diets is affected by age has never been rigorously studied in a large study population in a highly controlled experimental design. Given the unique dietary needs of individuals depending on age, it is anticipated that molecular signatures of a dietary response, as well as the clinical outcomes, will vary depending on participant’s age and also depending on variables measured by other centers (i.e. the microbiome). Therefore, it will be critical to identify proteomic and multi-modal biomarkers that identify, predict, and evaluate response to diet. Previous data have identified proteomic signatures associated with healthy aging and senescence burden across the lifespan. Others have shown the lifestyle interventions, including both diet and exercise, can reduce markers of senescence burden and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) over a period of weeks.  Therefore, the aim to utilize a proteomic platform to identify which diets can reduce molecular signatures of aging in 872 plasma samples from the Nutrition for Precision Health Study and give the researchers insight into molecular signatures of dietary responses and outcomes.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this requirement is to utilize a discovery-based proteomics platform in archived plasma samples collected in the Nutrition for Precision Health Study and examine individual responses to diet across the human lifespan.

Project requirements: The purpose of this acquisition is to procure discovery-based proteomic assays on approximately 872 human plasma samples from the Nutrition for Precision Health cohort to identify proteomic signatures that predict clinical responses to diet and dietary challenges across a span of ages.

The contractor shall use the aptamer-based assay to measure levels of approximately 7,000 proteins including cytokines, growth factors, receptors, proteases, protease inhibitors, kinases, structural proteins, and hormones known to be important in human diseases. The assay should require approximately 100 microliters of plasma or serum and allow hundreds of assays to be run in apreallel 96-well plates. The contractor shall use a modified aptamer-based reagent comprised of synthetic single-stranded DNA sequences with protein-like appendages that bind to specific target proteins. The single-stranded DNA SOMAmer reagent should then be quantifiable by hybridization to a custom DNA microarray containing probes complementary to the SOMAmer sequences.

Period of Performance:  24 months

Capability statement /information sought: Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately.  Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

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 solicitation notice number.

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The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein.  A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

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All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.  Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Iris Merscher, Contract Specialist, at e-mail address iris.merscher@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before Monday, May 11, at 5:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

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