Inactive

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to negotiate, under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, on a noncompetitive, sole source b... The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to negotiate, under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, on a noncompetitive, sole source basis with Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome Italy, for the project entitled Genetic and Epidemiological Factors for Age-Related Traits and Diseases in the Sardinian Population (SardiNIA5). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposal. However, response sources may express their interest by submitting a capability statement or proposal. All capability statements and proposals received within fifteen days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. This effort will be for a one-year base period and four 12-month option periods, beginning on/about June 1, 2021. This Genetic and Epidemiological Factors for Age-Related Traits and Diseases in the Sardinian Population (SardiNIA5) requirement is in accordance with the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 253(c)(1) as set forth in FAR 6.302-1(a)(2). The purpose of this requirement is to continue the ongoing longitudinal study (SardiNIA) and add new traits based on the unique ‘founder’ population of Sardinia. This proposed SardiNIA5 project is a continued need of the SardiNIA study under Contract No. HHSN271201100005C, with a primary focus on a genetic analysis of Alzheimer/dementia based an all-island case control study (AIM I) and also encompassing an additional follow-up period to carry out sixth visits for the maximum number as possible of current FIA cohort participants (AIM II). Starting in 2001, the Project examined ~6,000 individuals from 4 geographically clustered towns in the mountainous region of Ogliastra in central/eastern Sardinia. The Project now includes up to 5 visits from >7,000 individuals at a clinic in the town of Lanusei. This core group is herein referred to as the “SardiNIA Lanusei cohort”. The study, now in its 19th year, has collected longitudinal information from up to 10,000 participants on >800 age-related quantitative traits (‘endophenotypes’ or ‘quantitative risk-related genetic or environmental factors’), as well as >200 dichotomous traits (including major diseases and disease risk factors). The use of quantitative traits permits high resolution of the genetic studies, with the full spectrum of genetic variation identified via genomic DNA sequencing. Increasingly, trait values and trends can be assessed for the degree to which they can diagnose or predict outcomes – i.e., for their values as markers or intrinsic cues for what happens during aging, linking the proposed work to the NIA Strategic Goals. Consiglio is uniquely qualified, alone possessing all the elements critical for performing the tasks required, including access to participants enrolled in the SardiNIA study and availability of precise testing equipment required for collecting core assessments of traits and genotyping; competency and experience with the data collection manuals, forms and procedures, data entry, management, verification and quality control, transfer, and tracking systems; and study-wide policies and procedures relevant to data usage and scientific productivity of the study. Further, all critical study components were developed, implemented, field-tested, and refined by Consiglio in collaboration with the NIA over the course of the SardiNIA study. In addition, successful follow-up of cohort participants has required continued and regular contact established and maintained by Consiglio. This proposed acquisition was previously publicized under sources sought notice HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-20-007022. The anticipated contract award date is June 1, 2021.