Inactive

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 avai... 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. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background and Objectives: Health disparities in age-related chronic conditions such as obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are well documented. Importantly, obesity and CKD have been linked to accelerated aging, the risk for age-associated conditions at younger ages than usual. Although genetics may contribute to observed health disparities, there are only limited studies in the racial and ethnic minority populations most affected by obesity and CKD. The objective of this work is to examine health disparities associated with obesity and CKD through whole genome sequencing to investigate the contributions of genomics to the disproportionate burden of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality in minority groups within the United States 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. The contractor shall deliver plates to the Government sufficient to run 217 samples, some of which have been stored for ten or more years. The Contractor shall perform whole genome sequencing, and specifically shall: • confirm genomic DNA quantity and quality by performing DNA concentration measurements and volume checks • examine agarose gels on all samples as an industry-standard method for screening DNA marker quality prepare PCR-free sequence libraries for all samples • sequence the libraries at a minimum of 30x coverage with 2×150 base pair runs • provide the Government the opportunity to replace any sample that fails to pass these quality checks at no extra charge • perform primary and secondary analysis of the sequencing data including but not limited to read alignment, variant calling, and quality control analyses • provide written summaries and documentation of the methods used to perform the whole genome sequencing pipeline • supply the whole genome sequencing data in a mutually acceptable electronic format that preserves study participants’ confidentiality. Following data delivery and upon request by the Government, the Contractor shall provide attendance at Government laboratory staff meetings and the Contractor shall provide technical consultations as needed. Delivery or Deliverables: The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables: • Analytic plates delivered to the Government at the Biomedical Research Center in Baltimore, MD • A report on the concentration of all genomic DNA samples • A report on the genomic DNA sample integrity and purity • A summary report outlining any problems from sample quality control metrics • PCR-free sequencing libraries for all samples • Electronic sequencing data in a mutually agreed upon device that shall contain the analysis-ready, aligned reads in the electronic compressed version of binary alignment map (CRAM) file format, along with the reference genome version used for alignment, and joint multi-sample called variants in the electronic variant call format (VCF) file format. These electronic data files shall be securely transferred to a portable disk drive and delivered to the Government at the Biomedical Research Center. • Upon the Government’s request, written summaries and documentation of all methods and parameters used to perform the whole genome sequencing pipeline • Upon the Government’s request, attend staff meetings and provide technical consultations as needed. Anticipated Period of Performance: The anticipated period of performance is for (12) months. Capability Statement: Small business concerns that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required services 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 by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Small businesses must also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. Interested small businesses are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System 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. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) pages. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All capability statements sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought Notice must be submitted to Fred Ettehadieh, Contracting Officer, by email at fred.ettehadieh@nih.gov before the closing date and time of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Facsimile responses are not acceptable. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your 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 review of the responses received, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The solicitation release date is pending. 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).