Proteomic markers of cognition and brain structure in chronic kidney disease

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; 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 possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition.  It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.  Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes.  No award will be made as a result of this notice.  The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.  This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:  

Chronic kidney diseases pose an increasing public health burden, especially on older adults. Kidney dysfunction and its downstream effects are known to affect brain structure and function, increase risk for cognitive impairment, and promote neurodegenerative diseases. Although the degree of kidney dysfunction can influence the extent of cognitive impairment, with this information alone it is difficult to predict which patients with kidney disease will experience cognitive decline and which will remain cognitively stable.

Using plasma specimens from the BRINK (Brain IN Kidney Disease) study, the present study aims to apply large-scale proteomics to available plasma specimens to identify a set of proteins and protein networks in blood that are associated with longitudinal changes in cogntion and MRI measures of brain structure in individuals with chronic kidney disease. We expect that this analysis will yield a novel set of plasma protein panels that can be used to identify individuals at greatest risk for becoming Aβ-positive in the coming years. Furthermore, examinaition of the cognition- and MRI-related proteins in individuals with kidney disease will allow us to better understand the biological changes that place one at risk for cognitive decline in the context of kidney dysfunction.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to perform discovery-based proteomic assays on approximately 40 human plasma samples to identify molecular pathways that accelerate cognitive decline.

Description:

Contractor will provide the following:

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 parallel 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.

Anticipated delivery:  6 months

Place of Performance:

251 Bayview Blvd

Baltimore, MD 21224

Capability statement /information sought. Contractors that believe they possess the ability to provide the requirement should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contract Specialist. The response should directly and specifically state in the, capabilities statement, which project requirements you can supply. Contractors must also provide their Company Name, DUNS Number, Physical Address, Point of Contact, and Size and Type of Business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be 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.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit.  The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses (capability statements) sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought Notice must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to the Contract Specialist. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Andrea Clay, Contract Specialist at e-mail address amcgee@mail.nih.gov

The response must be received on or before June 15, 2023 at 12:00PM, eastern time.

 “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 presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.