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Sources Sought Notice Service Contract for Metabolomics analyses for human plasma samples Sources Sought #1101877-SS This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, pro... Sources Sought Notice Service Contract for Metabolomics analyses for human plasma samples Sources Sought #1101877-SS This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is searching for vendors who can provide a Service Contract for Metabolomics analyses for human plasma samples. Background: Statement of Work Title: Metabolomics analyses for human plasma samples Background: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), Food Components and Health Laboratory (FCHL), located in Beltsville, MD, requires metabolomics analyses for human plasma samples. This analysis is needed for a research project funded by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association designed to assess metabolomic biomarkers of beef intake and interindividual variability in response to beef-containing diets. Technical requirements: Metabolomics analyses optimized to detect and identify the small molecule metabolites of over 60 different chemical classes in 1000+ human plasma samples. All provided data must be entered and tracked with each sample. To extract metabolites, we need a platform that combines four different ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem accurate mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS) methods with peak identification and deconvolution, determination of relative ion concentrations and matching of ion features to compound identities. All equipment in the mass spectrometry and data facilities must be backed up by generator power. All sample storage freezers must be backed up by generator power, and temperature readings must be constantly monitored and recorded. The platform must include 1) an advanced, proprietary LIMS environment designed specifically for mass spectrometry-based metabolite analysis, and 2) automated mass-spec data extraction and reduction software with component construction, and chromatographic peak alignment tools for compound identification. Metabolite identifications need to be verified prior to contextual biological interpretation, giving FCHL confidence in project results. Chemical intelligence and a comprehensive spectral library to use for matching analytical signatures vias a chemical reference library of at least 5,000 known and 8,000 novel metabolites. This is crucial for rapid and accurate metabolite identification. We require the contractor to produce data that is curated, analyzed, and imported into a cloud-based pathway analysis environment. This combination of data and interpretation tools represents a unique system for creating knowledge. Data curators should verify the automated data analysis to ensure the accurate quantitation of small molecules present in the sample. All online data must undergo nightly incremental and weekly full backups that are archived off-site at a secure location. Project results should be made available via a secure, cloud-based client portal that allows FCHL project leads and other collaborators to access the data, written reports, figures, heatmaps on-demand, visual depictions of statistics integration, pathway renderings, metabolite interactions, and lipidomic interpretations. We require that experienced analysts deliver high-quality processed and verified data to Ph.D. level quality control directors. The study directors should review and scrutinize the processed data a second time for additional QC verification, ensuring exceptionally accurate data. A data package should be compiled that contains the concentration profile of all small-molecule entities (which can include endogenous compounds, xenobiotics, and their metabolites), as well as heat maps showing relevant relative fold-changes. Ph.D.-level study directors should help interpret the data and place it into the appropriate biological context. Place of performance: 10300 Baltimore Ave, Building 307B, Beltsville, MD 20705 Period of Performance: The final annotated metabolomics dataset should be provided to FCHL project leads within 3 months after human plasma samples are received by the contractor. The plasma samples will be shipped out July 10, 2023, thus the final annotated dataset should be sent to FCHL project leads by Oct 10, 2023. The Contractor Shall: perform all work described in this Statement of Work in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, technical specifications, manufacturers guidelines, USDA, REE, and the ARS mission. This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources including any Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested. 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 review of the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov. Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by June 30, 2023 by 9:00 AM PST, the specified due date and time to be considered. Email responses to Elizabeth Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson2@usda.gov. Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.