Whole Proteome and Phospho Proteome Analysis on Brain Samples

The Government is seeking Capability Statements on behalf of The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Intramural Research Program (IRP) from Other Than Small Business organizations under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380, that can provide Whole Proteome and Phospho Proteome Analysis on Brain Samples provided by the NIDA IRP.

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: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; and (2) 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. The established NAICS code is 541380, Testing Laboratories and Services. The U.S. Small Business Administration establishes a size standard for 541380 as $19,000,000 in revenue or less.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND OBJECTIVE:

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 Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Intramural Research Program (IRP) is part of the NIH which mission is to conduct state-of-the-art research on basic mechanisms that underlie substance use disorders (SUDs), and to develop new methods for the treatment of SUDs. Research is supported at the molecular, genetic, cellular, animal, and human clinical levels and conceptually integrates highly innovative strategies and techniques. The long-term goal of the research is to better understand the biological and behavioral factors contributing to initiation, maintenance, and elimination of SUDs (and associated diseases), and to translate this knowledge into improved strategies for prevention, treatment, and reduction of negative consequences for the individual and for society caused by substance use disorders.

Opioid and alcohol use disorders are major public health issues. The overarching goal of the Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit of NIDA IRP is to understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of these disorders in order to facilitate the development of new strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. By using highly valid preclinical models of opioid and alcohol use disorders, the present project aims to examine global changes in protein, phosphorylated proteins, and peptide levels in brain regions associated with the three domains in substance use disorder: binge intoxication (basal ganglia), withdrawal/negative affect (extended amygdala), and executive function (cortices). This project will involve pharmacoproteomics to understand the role of glucocorticoid receptors, which are dysregulated in opioid and alcohol use disorder, on protein, phosphorylated proteins, and protein levels. This is a new project that is part of the program of research in NIDA IRP Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit (PI: Dr. Leandro F. Vendruscolo).

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Period – 12 months from the date of award

Four (4) One-Year Option Periods

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work below:

The contractor is responsible for ensuring that the services are performed in a timely manner with a low error rate. The contractor shall provide all labor, material, and skills necessary to perform the specific requirements set forth below.

The Contractor shall provide Whole Proteome and Phospho Proteome Analysis on Brain Samples

during the 12-month period described in the Period of Performance, and to include at minimum the following:

1. Brain samples from opioid and alcohol dependent rodents will be analyzed via mass spectrometry to determine proteome and phosphoproteome changes associated with alcohol and opioid dependence. Approximately 192 individual samples are anticipated to be analyzed in the base period.
2. Analysis of brain samples from alcohol and opioid dependent rats that were treated with a potential therapeutic for substance use disorders.
3. Analysis of brain samples shall include specific brain regions. The brain regions to be analyzed are all implicated in various components of substance use disorders and include the central nucleus of the amygdala, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, insula, and nucleus accumbens.
4. Analysis must include specific proteins and phosphoproteins. The proteins and phosphoproteins of interest within these brain regions include small peptides associated with stress and addiction that are historically difficult to measure with traditional protein analysis techniques, such as corticotropin-releasing factor, vasopressin, neuropeptide Y, hypocretin, oxytocin, dynorphin, and ghrelin. Other proteins of interest include the receptors of these peptides and proteins associated with stress signaling, gene expression, hormone synthesis, and circadian rhythm regulation.
5. Analysis must be a statistically valid comparison of 4 experimental groups (differential expression analysis of a 2x2 experimental design).

Interested organizations must demonstrate and document in the submitted capability statement extensive experience in the areas listed above.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Capability statement /information sought.

Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required product/service should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

The established NAICS code is 541380. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products and support services specified in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details as to the respondents’ (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training; (b) capability to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; and (d) compliance with requirements: Vendors must identify and demonstrate specifically how they will meet the requirements listed above.

Any other specific and relevant information about this particular area of procurement that would improve our consideration and evaluation of the information presented is desirable. Documentation may include, but not be limited to, contracts both Government and commercial the organization performed, references, i.e., names, titles, telephone numbers and any other information serving to document the organizations capability, e.g., awards, commendations, etc.

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

Any business concerns that believe they possess the capability necessary to successfully undertake the work described above must SUBMIT CAPABILITY STATEMENTS ELECTRONICALLY to the Contracting Officer, Josh Lazarus at josh.lazarus@nih.gov and Contract Specialist, Rob Bailey at Rob.Bailey@nih.gov, NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. EST on August 1, 2023. The Subject line for the submission should include this Sources Sought Number and organization name. NIDA will not accept paper or faxed capability statements.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.  This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. 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 pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on SAM.gov. 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).