Receptor Binding and Predictive Toxicology

A. Objectives:

The National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA), Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences (DTMC), intends to solicit proposals using competitive procedures as a SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE from qualified and capable Small Businesses certified under NAICS Code 541715; to assesses the pharmacological specificity and potential toxicity of lead compounds by screening at a large number of biological targets.

The purpose of this contract is to provide the NIDA Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences with reports in which the Contractor assesses the pharmacological specificity and potential toxicity of lead compounds by screening at a large number of biological targets. This contract will also support studies to determine the affinity (IC50, Ki) and/or function (EC50, IC50) of test compounds for receptors at specified biological targets indicated by compound profiling or other sources. This contract will provide a way to screen additional compounds, possibly large compound libraries, at one or more receptors or transporters in order to determine biological activity, with the objective of discovering specific receptor or transporter ligands with novel chemical structures. This contract will provide assays to assess predictive toxicology in key areas that could indicate a candidate compound would have difficulties in the drug development process. This contract will allow development of in vitro assays at targets that may be of importance in the development of compounds for the treatment of drug abuse and its consequences. This contract will allow for the purchase of test compounds on an “as needed” basis.

B. General Requirements: 

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and services (except as otherwise specified herein) and perform the work set forth below. The Government COR shall monitor all work under this contract.

The Contract activities will support NIDA in the following Task Areas:  

              Task 1: Receptor Profile Screening

              Task 2: Receptor Binding Affinity and/or Functional Activity

              Task 3: Predictive Toxicological and Pharmacokinetic Testing

              Task 4: Compound Library Screening

              Task 5: Assay Development

              Task 6: Compound Purchase

NIDA anticipates a Single Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), contract with and ordering period of five (5) years. NIDA may award either fixed price and/or cost reimbursement task orders under this contract.  NIDA expects to award at least one task order to the successful Contractor at the time of contract award. These individual task Orders may include options and/or options for increased quantity. If options or option quantities are utilized for an individual task order they will be clearly defined in the Task order RFP and be determined and evaluated at the time of task order solicitation and award. NIDA anticipates that at least one task Order will be awarded with the contract. Future funding will be made through issuance of task orders and will be dependent on program needs and funding availability.

C. Mandatory Criteria: 

This acquisition includes special or unique performance or capability requirements. Due to the nature of the compounds which will be evaluated under this contract, it is mandatory that offerors possess a DEA Research Registration for Schedules II to V in order to handle substances under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 at the time of submission of the proposal. In addition, the successful offeror must either possess, or demonstrate the ability to obtain a DEA registration for Schedule 1 controlled substances prior to awarding the contract.

D. Additional Information:

RFP No. 75N95023R00007 will be available electronically on or about February 15, 2023. Interested vendors will can access the RFP through www.SAM.gov or through the NIDA website (URL: https://nida.nih.gov/funding/nida-office-acquisitions-contracting#RFP) . All information required for the submission of a proposal will be contained in or accessible through the RFP package. Responses to the RFP will be due approximately 45 days from the release date. NIDA will consider proposals submitted by any responsible offeror. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.

Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for the described supplies or services.  However, interested persons may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government's requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SYNOPSIS FOR ALL RELEVANT DETAILS