Small Molecule Target Deconvolution via radiolabelled small molecule-cellular protein interations

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: 75N95019Q00324

2. Title: Small Molecule Target Deconvolution via radiolabelled small molecule-cellular protein interations

3. Classification Code: 99

4. NAICS Code: 541990

5. Description:
This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a translational science center that prides itself on its tremendously productive pipeline and is innovative in a number of ways. NCATS brings together a diverse range of scientists, including medicinal chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and engineers, in order to ultimately translate basic science into real products and services that help improve people's lives.

Target deconvolution is a key aspect of small molecule therapeutics. Many small molecule therapeutics provide a desired phenotypic response for a given disease or disease model. However, the molecular target of the the small molecules often remains unknown. In order to better understand the disease and the small molecule therapeutic, it is critical to discover and understand the molecular target. Target deconvolution allows for the identification of this molecular target through a variety of methods, including the use of radiolabelled small molecules.

Project Requirements:
1. The government will provide three target radiolabelled compounds to the contractor. In addition, the government will provide the "cold" (nonradiolabelled) compounds to the contractor. Government will have the option to provide unlabelled, inactive compound.
a. The government will provide these materials, as requested by the contractor. However, no more than 2000 nmoles of each radiolabelled compound and no more than 200 mg of each cold compound will be provided.
2. Contractor will evaluate the background binding and compound suitability of the three radiolabelled compounds at two concentrations in HEK293T cells.
3. Contractor will screen the radiolabelled compounds against a library of over 5,000 human proteins.
a. Proteins will be in reverse transfected HEK293T cells
b. Contractor will provide the appropriate controls to ensure the cells are transfected
c. Contractor will image the cells for radioactivity, to observe hits
4. Contractor will confirm any hits with cold displacement studies.
5. Contractor will provide a comprehensive report on the results of the assessment
a. Report will include images on the confirmation screen
b. Report will include the names of all proteins screened
c. Report will include all hits
d. Contractor will be available for verbal communication regarding the results of the screen
6. Contractor will be available via e-mai or phone concerning the progress of the project, with an update every four weeks on the progress.

Specific Requirements:
1. Contractor must have the capability to work with radioactive compounds
2. Contractor must have the capability to work with biological tissue

Anticipated period of performance: 6 months ARO

Requested Response:
The intent of this sources sought notice is to define the procurement strategy (e.g. set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation that NCATS intends to post soon. Interested contractors are requested to respond by (1) identifying how their proposed product meets or exceeds each of the seven salient charactistics listed above, by number; and (2) providing product literature, white papers, or capability statements that demonstrate their bona fide ability to supply such an instrument within the time frame described above.

In addition, please state your business size status and whether you are the manufacturer or authorized distributor of the device you propose.

Please note that NCATS is particularly interested in small business sources. If you are a small business, please state the type of small business (small business; HUBZone; service-disabled, veteran-owned; 8(a); veteran-owned; woman-owned; or small disadvantaged businesses) and your size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

The information submitted must be must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to jessica.adams@nih.gov, Contract Specialist at jessica.adams@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before August 26, 2019, 11:00am, Eastern Standard Time.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

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