Q301--Research Assistance Services Intent to Sole Source Dominican University of California Resistant Selection for Antimalarial Drugs

The Veteran s Administration (VA) Office of Research and Development, Regional Procurement Office East in Pittsburgh, PA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Dominical University of California (DUC) in San Francisco, CA on behalf of the Portland VA Medical Center in Portland, OR. The requirement is to provide research assistance for planned VA medical studies. The planned studies focus on investigating the propensity for drug resistance in Plasmodium parasites with selected synergistic acridone lead candidate(s) and to identify the molecular target(s) through whole genome sequencing and analysis.

The specific work to be performed includes:

Continuous in vitro cultivation of P. falciparum parasite strain Dd2.

Continuous in vitro cultivation of P. falciparum parasite strain 106-1.

Continuous in vitro cultivation of P. falciparum parasite strain HB3.

Applying drug pressure (T16.5) to culture of P. falciparum parasite strain Dd2 and continuously monitor the growth of the parasites.

Applying drug pressure (T16.5) to culture of P. falciparum parasite strain 106-1 and continuously monitor the growth of the parasites.

Applying drug pressure (T16.5) to culture of P. falciparum parasite strain HB3 and continuously monitor the growth of the parasites.

Performing susceptibility assays to T16.5 (with standard 72 hour growth inhibition assays using Sybr Green detection) and compare with the drug-free controls, when stable changes in phenotype results in a parasite culture (the ability of parasites to grow similar to drug-free controls in the presence of T16.5).

Testing a panel of T16.5 related acridones, and non-related standard antimalarials currently in use (chloroquine, piperaquine, lumefantrine, atovaquone, dihydroartemisinin, mefloquine, pyronardine, monodesethylamodiaquine) for cross-resistance to T16.5.

Cloning (for genetic purity) and cryopreserving any resistant parasites derived.

Reporting drug susceptibility data, cross resistance data, parasite clones (at least four lines per cloning event) to the VA team.

Deliverables:Â T16.5 resistant P. falciparum clones of malaria parasites and cross-resistance profile of antimalarials against these clones.

The requirement will take place at a VA facility in Portland, OR. The sole source is pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however; any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement and supporting documentation to the contracting office no later than Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at (10:00 AM, EST). Interest/capability statements may be sent to Michael Haydo at Michael.haydo@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.