Resource for the Collection and Evaluation of Human Tissue, Cells, and Bio-fluids from Donors with an Epidemiologic Profile

Solicitation issue date: May 22, 2015

Federal Business Opportunities Pre-Sol Notice posted 04/16/2015

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED ON A LATER DATE.

Title: Resource for the Collection and Evaluation of Human Tissue, Cells, and Bio-fluids from Donors with an Epidemiologic Profile

This contract is the essential resource serving the Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis (LHC) research program. It supports molecular epidemiology studies of human lung, breast, prostate, liver and pancreatic cancer; as well as, the molecular pathogenesis and translational studies of all these diseases. LHC studies the induction of cancer directly in human tissues and cells. This requires a reliable source of fresh, professionally obtained human specimens.

The contract initially began as a pilot to obtain tissues for the experimental development of conditions to culture human specimens as organ and cellular tissues. The focus at that time was to obtain case-series cancer and adjacent uninvolved tissues from consented patients as they underwent surgery. Cancer cases have been obtained primarily from the Baltimore Veteran's Administration Hospital, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins University Hospital (historically). Beginning in 1996, focus shifted to case-control studies which still included collection of material from cancer patients, but also healthy population based controls, recruited from the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles records. Population controls were recruited based on matching to the cancer cases by geographic location (Baltimore City, Maryland and surrounding selected counties), gender, and race (Caucasian, African-American, and Asian).

In addition to human tissues for research, the resource provides corresponding epidemiology profiles that include occupational histories, personal health history, family health history, smoking information, and exercise information via informed consent. Addition of medical record abstracts and pathological reports complete questionnaires. Personal Identifying Information is excluded when data or samples are delivered to the NIH. Further, the contract provides histology slides and histopathological interpretations by professionals. Unstained regular, standard and immuno-stained slides will be made available for staining and interpretation in LHC.

The LHC, a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certified laboratory with a record of assays that are designed for clinical application, uses integrative biology and translational research strategies to investigate the molecular epidemiology of human cancer. To that end, the contractor shall be responsible for: 1) identifying and recruiting cancer cases and population-based controls; 2) obtaining informed consent and maintaining Institutional Review Board approvals; 3) collecting and storing subject interview data, and 4) collecting and processing biological specimens and transferring the de-identified materials (data and specimens) to the LHC. The work is currently being conducted under contract HHSN261201000117C held by The University of Maryland.

The NCI seeks continuation of services to be acquired through full and open competitive procedures under NAICS 622110. It is anticipated that a cost-reimbursement, completion-type contract with a base period of one year and four one year option periods may be awarded beginning on or about September 30, 2015.

Mandatory Criteria: This criterion establishes conditions that must be met at the time of receipt of award. Companies that fail to meet these requirements will not be considered for award.

• Must demonstrate the ability to facilitate delivery of non-frozen viable tissues to the NIH campus within two (2) hours of receiving them from the pathologist, at all times of the day.

The RFP will be available electronically at a later date and may be accessed through the FedBizOpps at www.fbo.gov. WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESPONSIBLE SOURCES, PARTICULARLY SMALL BUSINESSES, TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE AGENCY. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile or email transmissions will be accepted. IT IS THE OFFERORS RESPONSIBILITY TO MONITOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED SITE FOR THE RELEASE OF THE SOLICITATION AND ANY AMENDMENTS.

Contracting Office Address:
9609 Medical Center Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20852

Primary Point of Contact:
Paul Martha
Contract Specialist
Paul.Martha@nih.gov
Phone: 240-276-5567

Secondary Point of Contact:
MaryAnne Golling
Contracting Officer
GollingM@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 240-276-6981