Inactive

Description: This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availabilit... Description: This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. 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: The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads the federal government in conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The Institute seeks to understand the nature of aging and the aging process, and diseases and conditions associated with growing older, in order to extend the healthy, active years of life. Its mission is to support and conduct genetic, biological, clinical, behavioral, social, and economic research on aging, foster the development of research and clinician scientists in aging, provide research resources, and disseminate information about aging and advances in research to the public, health care professionals, and the scientific community among a variety of audiences. Purpose and Objectives: Metabolomic services are required for the project ‘Gut driven mechanisms of systemic inflammation during aging’. Metabolomics, the scientific study of identifying chemical fingerprints by characterizing metabolites, the small molecules of the product of metabolism is being increasingly used as a functional readout of the changes in the physiological state of the organisms. Project requirements: Tier 1 comprehensive metabolite assessment on serum and feces samples from mice is required. Tier 1 comprehensive metabolite assessment includes but is not limited to: precision estimation of short chain fatty acids, amino acid metabolites and glycolipid metabolites using advanced Mass Spectrometry technology. The estimation of these metabolites are important for the understanding of biology and biomarker discovery of the ongoing aging gut metabolism project. Deliverables: A relative concentration profile of all structurally named small molecule entities. A statistical analysis of the resulting data. An outline of the analytical methods. Access to the MetaboLync Client Portal. Additional matrix. Absolute quantitation will be provided for the following analytes for all specimens provided by the client. Analysis of lactic acid may be available upon request. A sample analysis report that includes a description for reference chemicals and matrices used during sample analysis, corresponding qc performance information and the data table with sample results. Anticipated period of performance: Anticipated period of performance is for seven (7) months after date of award. Other important considerations: Desired turnaround time for the deliverables is 8 weeks Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the services specified in this notice. The respondent must also provide their 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 any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. Finally, respondents are also encouraged to provide a general overview of the respondent’s opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement, and any other information regarding innovative ideas or concepts that may be applicable. Information Submission Instructions Respondents should provide responses accordingly: (1) submit information electronically via email. No telephone, hard copy, 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 point font minimum and 8 1/2 x 11 page size; (3) organize material in such a manner that clearly identifies and addresses capability requirements and provide an executive summary; (4) capability statement should not exceed ten (10) single sided pages including references; (5) responses should be received no later than December 18, 2019 at 4:00 PM EDT; (6) include respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, Including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses; and (7) send responses to this notice via email to eric.mckay@nih.gov. 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 presolicitation 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.