Q301--DNA Extraction and Quality Control Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Integrative Mental Health for the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 6

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 6 intends to award a sole source purchase order to Duke University Substrate Services Core & Research Support at the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, NC as part of a Research and Development study for new treatments for PTSD and to develop new tools to assess vulnerability for developing PTSD. The research resulting from DNA extraction will provide an improved understanding of how the brain functions before and after exposure to trauma and onset of PTSD to support VISN 6 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) scientific post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research. The contractor shall produce high quality DNA extraction and perform DNA quality control procedures. The extracted DNA must be ready to undergo the genotyping process. The contractor shall ship the extracted sample in good quality to the VA VISN 6 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) located the Durham VA Medical Center. Stratification of individuals by brain neurobiology, genetic vulnerability, gene expression, trauma, and other adverse exposures will provide powerful information for predicting PTSD severity and PTSD symptom dimensions.

Period of performance will be one-time service. Justification for this sole source procurement is in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) soliciting from a single source. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation documents are available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any business that believes it can meet these requirements and possesses relevant past-experience and expertise may give written notice. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirement. Responses will be considered by the Government however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses of this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. NAICS Code 541715. Responses received by 10:00 am EST on Aug 18th, 2023, will be considered by the Government. Inquiries shall be emailed to Christian.rosadoramirez@va.gov. No telephone requests will be accepted.