SOURCES SOUGHT: RNA Sequencing Services

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their 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. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

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.

Statement of Need and Purpose: 

RNA sequencing of disease samples and controls will be fully characterized. RNA sequencing services are necessary for us to be successful in completing our research project’s aims.

Background Information and Objective:

The Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias is an ambitious program to genotype disease patients and controls around the world to further understand the genetic architecture of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. There is still much to learn about genetic risk factors and the path to further understanding requires working collaboratively and openly sharing data, processes, and results.

Project Requirements/Salient Characteristics:

RNA sequencing of 20 human samples. Prior to the sequencing runs, libraries will need to be constructed using Illumina’s scRNA-Seq kits and divided into 80 pooled libraries. Sequencing will be performed using the latest Illumina NovaSeq6000 platform and other related instrumentation. Vendor will provideFASTQ, BAM and VCF files as the deliverable. The resultant data will be in the form of 750M total reads from 1 lane. Data can be transferred via cloud-based data transfer tool (if applicable) or in HDD format. The turnaround time should be approximately 4-6 weeks after samples have passed initial quality control.

Anticipated Period of Performance: 6/1/21 – 5/31/22

Capability Statement/Information Sought:

Respondents must provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement clearly identifying their ability to provide the requested service.

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.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in an 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 is limited to ten (10) page limit.  The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

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.  Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Rashiid Cummins (Contract Specialist) at e-mail address Rashiid.Cummins@nih.gov 

The response must be received on or beforeMay 12th, 2021, 3:00pm, Eastern 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).”