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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JULY 17, 2009 FBO #2790
SOLICITATION NOTICE

B -- Biomedical Research-Molecular Immunology

Notice Date

7/15/2009
 

Notice Type

Presolicitation
 

NAICS

541712 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Rockledge Dr. Bethesda, MD, Office of Acquisitions, 6701 Rockledge Dr RKL2/6100 MSC 7902, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-7902
 

ZIP Code

20892-7902
 

Solicitation Number

NHLBI-PB-(HL)-2009-230-DDC
 

Archive Date

8/4/2009
 

Point of Contact

Deborah - Coulter, Phone: (301) 435-0368
 

E-Mail Address

dc143b@nih.gov
(dc143b@nih.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REQUESTED. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Acquisition (OA) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Wahn Soo Choi, 159-11 Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-240 Korea, for the services as outlined below: The reference number NHLBI-PB-(HL)-2009-230-DDC. Background Information Mast cells are responsible for a variety of allergic and autoimmune disorders. These cells respond to antigens through clustering of IgE receptors (named FcRI) at the cell surface by multivalent binding of antigen to receptor-bound IgE. This results in release of granules that contain preformed inflammatory mediators and the generation of inflammatory lipids and cytokines to produce the typical symptoms of allergic reactions and mast cell-dependent autoimmune diseases. In addition, mast cells may play a critical role in rapid inflammatory and secondary immune responses to pathogens through co-activation of FcRI and Toll-like receptors in mast cells. These receptors initiate signaling cascades that involve tyrosine kinases, adaptor or docking proteins, as well as enzymes that generate diffusible small messenger molecules that can initiate secondary signaling cascades that eventually lead to the release of inflammatory agents as described above. Purpose and Objectives The objective is to elucidate the biochemical signaling pathways that mediate the various responses of mast cells to antigen or TLR ligands. A complementary objective is to understand how therapeutic agents, especially the glucocorticoids, interrupt signaling processes so as to provide a rational basis for design of more selective agents. In fact, the mast cell is a pre-eminent model for such studies. Most, if not all, known signaling processes can be activated through the various receptors that are expressed on mast cells, some of which act in synergy with FcεRI such as adenosine receptors and Kit. This permits studies of the influence of other physiologic factors on antigen-induced responses. Laboratory of Molecular Immunology (LMI) requires the immediate services of an expert cell biologist who has expertise in studies of mast cells to 1) characterize the biochemical signaling responses to antigen, pathogens that activate mast cells, and endogenous factors that amplify such responses; 2) determine the role of the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD) in early signaling events and in particular its interaction with tyrosine kinases and associated protein partners in membrane lipid rafts; 3) examine in addition such inhibitory modulators as Src-like Adaptor protein (SLAP); and 4) as a corollary determine functional outputs such as degranulation, production of inflammatory lipids (eicosanoids), generation of cytokines, and passive cutaneous anapylaxis (PCA) in vivo. Services to be Performed General Requirements Define optimal conditions for growth, expression of receptors for cell activation, and maintenance of phenotype of mast cells derived from precursor cells from mouse bone marrow and of transformed mast cell lines currently in the laboratory. Examine signaling and functional responses to antigen and other agents that augment these responses such as IL-33, Kit ligand, Toll-like receptor ligands. Specific Requirements The contractor must have an established record as an independent investigator, and as documented by publications in peer reviewed scientific journals. The contractor must be an expert in the field of mast cell physiology and have specialized technical experience in studies of mast cells (i.e. the culture, sensitization, analysis of signaling processes, and measurement of functional responses such as degranulation and cytokine production). The contractor must have hands-on experience in the manufacture and expression of genetic constructs, RNA interference technology, and all other aspects of molecular biology such as reporter assays, gene chip arrays etc. The contractor must also be capable of performing confocal microscopy to investigate the location and interactions of tagged molecules within live cells. The contractor must also have thorough knowledge of receptor physiology and cell signaling as well as training in medical fields to understand the medical implications of this work. Determine functional responses which include degranulation, production of eicosanoids, and generation of cytokines, the latter by use of real-time PCR, kit arrays, and ELISAs. The eventual aim would be evaluation of findings in vitro in appropriate animal models of anaphylaxis. Government Requirements The government will provide on-site laboratory space; furnish all necessary reagents, laboratory equipment, and computer facilities as needed. Period of performance: The proposed period of performance for this service July 29, 2009 thru January 29, 2010. The estimated level of effort for this requirement is not expected to exceed 1,000 hours during the period of performance. The delivery point is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), 10 Center Drive, Clinical Center Building 10 Room 8N109, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The sole source determination is based on the fact that the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology (LMI) intends to facilitate and nurture ongoing collaborative research between NIH and Dr. Choi’s institution. Due to Dr. Choi’s unique experience in studies of PLD in mast cells in addition to an established record of research with mast cell signaling mechanisms at a molecular and cellular level. He also has an established record in studies of inhibitors of these signaling mechanisms and of their effect on functional outputs as assessed in cell cultures and animal models. His standing in this regard is attested by his numerous publications (over 80 publications) and academic awards for excellence in research. It is unlikely that anyone else has this combination of experience. His previous studies with human and rodent mast cells in LMI, his resumed participation in the NIH inter-institute Mast Cell meetings held jointly with other NIH laboratories, and his continuing research on mast cells in Korea make him an ideal fit for our research needs at NIH. It should be noted that key procedures used for subsequent studies of PLD in LMI were initially established by Dr. Choi during his previous stay in LMI. His services will ensure continuity of the project at LMI by imparting his extensive skills to others in the laboratory who will continue with complementary lines of research. Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541712 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, employee size standard are 500. The small business set-aside does not apply. This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures, and exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this requirement, within five (5) calendar days from publication date of this synopsis or by July 20, 2009 at 7:30am Eastern Standard Time. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct future competitive procurement. Responses to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-PB(HL)-2009-230-DDC may be submitted to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Consolidated Operations Acquisition Center, Procurement Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6142, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention Deborah Coulter. Response may be submitted electronically to coulterd@nhlbi.nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NHLBI/NHLBI-PB-(HL)-2009-230-DDC/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: Building 10 NIH Campus, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Zip Code: 20892
 

Record

SN01876513-W 20090717/090716000427-46df384c512375ef48c96f5acbbe9bf2 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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