Resource Support Program for AIDS Vaccine Development

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports research related to the basic understanding of microbiology and immunology leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases. The discovery and development of an AIDS vaccine remains among the highest research priorities of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and is a principal mission of NIAID’s Division of AIDS (DAIDS). To support this mission, NIAID has provided high- quality, novel, and targeted reagents, assays, and services for investigators engaged in AIDS vaccine-related research, including NIAID-funded grantees and contractors, other NIH- funded researchers, and investigators supported through various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). These services are provided through this contract by investigator request and NIAID staff approval. The current contract for this work is entitled " Reagent Resource Support Program for AIDS Vaccine Development” and the incumbent contractor is Quality Biological Inc., contract number HHSN272201800007C. The purpose of the proposed contract will be to produce, procure, store, ship, and maintain an up-to-date inventory of high-quality reagents, assays, and services in support of preclinical and clinical AIDS vaccine research. The Contractor shall: 1) procure, purify, and test reagents, including, for example: viral proteins and peptides, virus stocks, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, topical microbicides, vaccine vectors, vaccine adjuvants and cytokines, and any additional reagents deemed necessary for the NIAID DAIDS Vaccine Research Program; 2) perform genetic cloning and sequencing; 3) acquire the needed reagents, assays, and/or services used to evaluate AIDS vaccine safety and immunogenicity in small animal and/or NHP models; 4) analyze all reagents for purity and integrity, and provide for their quality control and assurance; and 5) provide for receipt and inventory tracking, storage, maintenance, and distribution of all reagents. It is anticipated that one (1) cost reimbursement, level-of-effort (term) type contract will be awarded. The period of performance will be for one (1) year (Base Period) plus six (6) one- year options (terms) that may be exercised by the Government unilaterally, for a total possible performance period of seven (7) years, beginning on or about January 7, 2018.The requirement will be for the delivery of 2.00 full time equivalents (FTEs) per year for the Base Period (Year 1) and each option period (Years 2 through 7).In addition to the above functions and services to be provided for the Base period, the Government may exercise, at its discretion, Options for additional level of effort to accommodate significant increases in work. These Options are defined as follows: Option 1 - 6: Extend the Term of the Contract: The Government may exercise options to extend the term of the contract beyond the Base period (Year 1), annually, for a total contract period of up to 7 years of the performance. The total period of performance resulting from the base period plus all potential Term Options is 7 years. Assume that the scope and types of activities as outlined for the Base Period (Year 1 of the contract) would be continued for each succeeding annual contract period. Options 7-20 Increased Level of Effort: The Government may exercise options for increased level of effort that may result from unanticipated increases in demand. Up to Two (2) Options per year may be exercised during years 1 through 7 of contract performance. Should the Government elects to exercise these Options, the Contractor shall provide an additional 1.0 FTE for each option exercised. The period of performance of an Option for Increased Services will not exceed the term of the base year or the Option year in which the Option is exercised. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Agency. This RFP will be available electronically on/about October 27, 2023, and may be accessed through SAM.gov. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. For this solicitation, the NIAID requires proposals to be submitted online via the NIAID electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website. Submission of proposals by facsimile or e-mail is not acceptable. For directions on using eCPS, go to the website https://ecps.nih.gov and then click on "How to Submit."