SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Development and Maintenance of a Multigenotypic Aged Rat Colony - Timeline
- Notice Date
- 4/13/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- 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 Institute on Mental Health, Contracts Management Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd, Rm 8154, MSC 9661, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-9661
- ZIP Code
- 20892-9661
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-SBSS-10-126
- Point of Contact
- Teresa A. Baughman, Phone: (301) 443-1193, Tawanda Haynes, Phone: (301) 443-2848
- E-Mail Address
-
baughmat@nida.nih.gov, haynest@mail.nih.gov
(baughmat@nida.nih.gov, haynest@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- A timeline for projected Task Orders 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. BACKGROUND Current and projected experiments using rodents to model the aging processes and age-related diseases in humans require animals of defined genotype and controlled environmental and health status. Only with the meticulous, long-term control of genetic and environmental variables is it possible to maintain relevant animal models that may be used to study many of the biological and behavioral processes in aging. Therefore, a continuous supply of genetically defined, well characterized inbred and hybrid laboratory animals is essential for a program of research on aging. In 2004, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) awarded a 9-year contract for the development and maintenance of a colony of aged F344 rats, and in 2005, NIA awarded a 9-year contract for the development and maintenance of a colony of aged Brown Norway (BN) and F344xBN F1 hybrid rats. The F344 contract was subsequently extended one year. The Statement of Work for those contracts, HHSN260200400008C and HHSN260200500006C, stated that another 9-year contract for continuation of each project would be awarded at the start of the seventh year of that contract. This RFP is for development of a new contract that will cover all three strains of rats, F344, BN, and F344xBN F1. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The objective is to develop, maintain and distribute a standing colony of aged, genetically defined laboratory rats for use by investigators in studies of aging. This colony is to be developed and maintained within controlled and defined barrier environments where animals are monitored and characterized for disease status and markers of genetic purity. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS This will be a nine (9) year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) type contract under which the Contractor shall develop, maintain and distribute a standing colony of aged rats of NIA-specified genotypes for use by investigators in studies of aging. Although several different Task Orders will be issued, the expected duration of this colony is nine (9) years. Refer to the timeline attached to this notice. During years 1 through 2, animals shall be entered into the colony, but few animals shall be removed from the colony except for the purposes of monitoring health and genetic purity. However, if the need should arise, animals may be distributed from the colony at anytime at the direction of the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). During years 3 through 7, animals shall continue to be entered into the colony and animals shall be distributed to investigators. This should be a period of stable operation with young animals entering the colony at approximately the same rate as older animals leave the colony due to distribution and normal attrition. The final two year period, years 8 and 9, will serve as the colony close-out period. Animals shall be maintained and disbursed, but entry of animals shall cease at the beginning of year 8 or when entries begin in a renewal contract colony. Thus the population in this contract colony will decline over the last two year period to a point of near zero or very few animals at the end of year nine.   The colony population at the end of each year of the nine year period should be approximately as follows: YEAR 1 5,000 YEAR 4 53,000 YEAR 7 53,000 YEAR 2 30,000 YEAR 5 53,000 YEAR 8 36,000 YEAR 3 50,000 YEAR 6 53,000 YEAR 9 Near 0 This animal colony shall be divided into two, approximately equal, separate segments. Each segment shall be maintained behind a totally independent barrier, specific pathogen- and parasite free, for the entire contract period. Both segments shall specifically be helicobacter-negative. The purpose of colony division is to insure the survival of at least one half of the colony in the event of pathologic breach of a barrier, mechanical failure of environmental maintenance systems, or accidental disaster such as fire, or flood. Total independence of colony segments therefore means separation of buildings, power systems and back-up systems, environmental controls (heat, air conditioning, and air filtration) and breeding stock. Each barrier shall have an independent back-up generator and alarm system in case of loss of power. The Contractor shall acquire foundation stock for two inbred strains of rats from a stock center identified by the COTR and shall re-derive the stock by caesarian section or embryo transfer under barrier conditions. After re-derivation, testing to confirm genetic purity and SPF health status shall be performed on the foundation colony, and breeding colonies will be established for the two inbred strains and one derivative hybrid strain. Rats will be entered into the aging colony at levels defined in the contract Statement of Work (SOW), currently a total of 2,090 rats per month (the hybrid strain account for approximately 35% of the total entry levels). The Contractor shall provide discrete production space for each colony segment within the barrier or isolation area for that segment. This space shall be defined within each unit, and the animals held therein until the scheduled removal or expiration of the animals. Facilities set aside for these colonies shall be provided with all equipment, materials, and supplies necessary to maintain these animals effectively within the barrier enclosure in a stable condition and environment. Since this is an aging colony, the Contractor must be prepared to house the animals for up to 2-3 years. Rats shall be provided with sterilized laboratory animal feed, the formulation of which is consistent with NIH31 (Rader et al., 1986, J. Nutrition 116:1777-88) diet with regard to ingredients, both in kind and amount. The following items shall be controlled within the ranges specified: temperature (72-79oF), humidity (40-70%), light cycles (12/12 hours), air circulation (0.25m/hr/animal) and filtration (HEPA), and water chlorination and acidification (water shall be chlorinated and the pH controlled so as to not exceed pH 7.3 and 7-8 PPM chlorination at discharge end). A maximum of 25% re-circulated air within the barrier is allowed. Current ILAR (http://www.nap.edu/books/0309053773/html/index.html) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm) for breeding, care and maintenance of laboratory rats shall apply where specifications have not been detailed. Rats shall be monitored weekly for signs of fighting or morbidity. Semi-annual genetic monitoring of the breeding colonies and quarterly health monitoring of the aging colonies shall be performed and reported to the COTR as well as be included in the semi-annual progress reports. Genetic monitoring shall be accomplished by a panel of microsatellite markers that distinguish the inbred strains. Health monitoring shall include external exams for parasites, microbiology, serology, and histology. The Contractor shall ship the rats to investigators upon authorization from the COTR, providing secure shipping crates, food and water sources, and climate-controlled transport. Shipment via dedicated, climate-controlled truck is the preferred method. The Contractor shall invoice customers for the cost of the animals (determined by the COTR) and all shipping costs, and apply the remittance to the cost of the contract. The Contractor shall account for all received funds on the monthly invoices. The Contractor shall weekly provide an inventory of the aging colony in a format approved by the COTR. REPORTS/DELIVERABLES: (1) Post re-derivation Health and Genetic Monitoring Report - a report documenting the health status and genetic purity of the re-derived foundation stock within 120 calendar days after the birth of the re-derived litters.(2) Semi-Annual Progress Report - reports shall include any problems involving colony health, genetic monitoring, environment or environmental control. The report shall include the results of routine genetic monitoring and all laboratory tests executed either by Contractor as a routine part of the protocol or results from tests that have direct implication for colony health or development. All deaths or sacrifices from the colony shall be accounted for by strain, gender and age of the animal sacrificed or expired. (3) Weekly Inventory Report - a report which details the number, gender, strains and ages of animals in the colony. (4) Quarterly Health Monitoring Reports - reports shall contain descriptive clinical condition of the animals, gross pathologic observations of body tissues and organs, microbial, parasitological and serological evaluation, and histopathology of major organs and systems. (5) Genetic Monitoring Reports - reports shall include genetic quality control, including histocompatibility antigen and/or micro-satellite testing of a sample of breeder rats of each genotype to detect genetic contamination. (6) Individual Postmortem Reports - the report shall describe primary and secondary lesions possibly attributable to cause of death. (7) Final Report - it shall include a summation of the work performed under the entire contract period of performance ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. The anticipated period of performance is from 05/01/11 through 04/30/20. OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees is being contemplated. This contract is proposed to be a nine (9) year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) type contract under which Task Orders will be issued. CAPABILITY STATEMENT/INFORMATION SOUGHT: Respondents to this notice must provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement to include the following: (1) information regarding the respondents' (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and, (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information; (2) respondents' 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, (4) any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the OPDIV's acquisition requirement. INFORMATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should provide responses accordingly: (1) submit information both electronically and by mail. No telephone or facsimile responses will be accepted; (2) format capability statements using Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF including attachments, resumes, charts, etc. Use single space, 12 font minimum and 8 ½ x 11 size paper; (3) organize material in such a manner that clearly identifies and address capability requirements and provide an executive summary; (4) capability statement should not exceed ten (10) single sided pages including references; (5) respondents must send two original copies via mail and one electronic copy via email; (6) responses should be received no later than April 28, 2010 at 2:00 PM Local Time; (7) include respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses; and (8) send responses to this notice via email to baughmat@mail.nih.gov The original statements mailed using the U.S. Postal Service should be sent to ATTN: Tawanda Haynes, National Institutes of Health, Office of Acquisitions - NIDA Neuroscience COAC, NIA R&D Contracts Management Section, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8154, MSC 9661, Bethesda, MD 20892-9661. If using a courier service such as the UPS, Federal Express, etc., change the City, State and Zip Code to Rockville, MD 20852. (Please be aware that the U.S. Postal Service's "Express Mail" DOES NOT deliver to the Rockville, Maryland address.) 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 pre-solicitation 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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