SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Research Design Services & Functional Support Services
- Notice Date
- 3/23/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541711
— Research and Development in Biotechnology
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Acquisitions Management and Policy, 5600 Fisher Ln., Room 13A-19, Rockville, Maryland, 20857, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20857
- Solicitation Number
- 2012BatonRougeIDIQ
- Archive Date
- 4/18/2012
- Point of Contact
- Kevin McGowan, Phone: 3014431916, Diane, Phone: 3014432583
- E-Mail Address
-
kmcgowan@hrsa.gov, dcoger@hrsa.gov
(kmcgowan@hrsa.gov, dcoger@hrsa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/National Hansen's Disease Program (NHDP) is issuing this sources sought notice to determine the availability and capability of businesses to provide the services described below. Background: This Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) requirement shall provide a contracting mechanism for Research Design Services and Functional Support Services for the NHDP Laboratory Research Branch in multiple disciplines including molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, and pathology, anticipated to be solicited under Sole Source. NAICS Code for this requirement is 541711. The NHDP is a facility dedicated to the treatment, training and research of Hansen's disease (leprosy). The purpose of this contract is to provide research support services for project teams with leaders, technical personnel and laboratory animal caretakers to augment the National Hansen's Disease Programs Lab Research Branch (NHDP-LRB) in support of their various research programs. Some programs are ongoing efforts, but new projects may be awarded/assigned to the NHDP-LRB during the life of the contract. The Contractor shall furnish personnel, supervision and travel (if required by specific task order) necessary to support the research design and functional support task requirements stated in any individual Task Order (TO) issued under this IDIQ Contract for Research Design Services and Functional Support Services. Work shall be performed on-site at the NHDP Lab Research facility located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, using Government equipment. For the Contractor to be successful in providing the required support, demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the identified disciplines is considered essential. The Contractor shall have 1) experience in, and the capability to work with M.D., PhD or D.V.M's with research background in working with infectious agents: 2) experience in managing biological lab technicians as well as doctoral candidate researchers and post-doctoral researchers/scientists: 3) knowledge of safety testing and safety precautions for a biohazard Level-3 laboratory: and 4) access to and capability of recruiting high quality college graduates in related disciplines. Task Order(s) issued under this IDIQ contract may require services in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Pathology, Tuberculosis Research or Research Animal Support: Research Design Services Immunology 1. Develop experiment concepts regarding immunology of leprosy using conventional, immunocompromised, transgenic and knockout mice 2. Coordinate schedules within LRB (immunology, molecular biology, pathology, microbiology) and with FACS Lab and Gene Lab for expedited completion of work 3. Prepare review material consisting of supporting documentation from scientific literature for advice and direction. 4. Provide documentation of experimental design with detailed protocol which includes controls for advice and direction. 5. Perform experiments using appropriate and approved molecular, cell culture, and animal methodologies. 6. Collect and document all experimental data in a neat, organized laboratory notebook. 7. Analyze experiment data. Perform mathematical, statistical, and scientific analyses on data. 8. Prepare experiment reports as PowerPoint presentations, Sigma Plot graphics and written reports in proper format for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals Molecular Biology 1. Design and evaluate cloning experiments involving prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes, vectors and hosts. 2. Design and evaluate experiments involving cell culture of primary cells and established cell lines. 3. Provide expertise in immunological evaluation of cell phenotypes using antibody markers and FACS analysis. 4. Provide expertise in genomic analysis using in silico evaluation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome sequences. 5. Design and evaluate PCR Array and DNA micro array experiments involving prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes 6. Provide expertise in analysis of data obtained from PCR array and microarray analyses. Microbiology 1. Design, develop and evaluate complex Microbiological and Immunological assays indexing regulation of host resistance to mycobacterial infection. Applications may include radiorespirometry of bacterial cultures, analysis of host specific cytokines, lymphokines or other mediators of inflammation with bioassay and molecular biology procedures. 2. Provide molecular sequences, cloned fragments and monoclonal antibodies against cytokines, lymphokines and other important mediators of inflammation from nine-banded armadillos and develop a system of CD markers suitable to differentiate functional cell populations. 3. Provide formulation of complex hypotheses and design experimental protocols to appropriately evaluate their validity. 4. Develop and evaluate molecular techniques suitable for differentiation of M. leprae strains and associate those results with the outcomes suggested by conventional geographical and pathogenic experimental procedures. Pathology 1. Design experimental approaches to the study of the mechanisms of nerve injury in leprosy, including studies of the role of endothelial cells in M. leprae infection of nerves using archived human (skin) biopsy material and experimental animals. 2. Prepare review material from the scientific literature for the experimental designs, for advice and direction. 3. Develop experimental methods to study nerve injury and the role of endothelium; these may include in-vivo studies in animals, tissue culture and co-cultures of different cell types, manual counting and radio-isotope assays, immunostaining and immunofluorescence microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, protein isolation and characterization by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry. 4. Coordinate experiments with other departments (microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology) as needed to complete the experiments. 5. Provide documentation of experimental designs and detailed bench protocols, including controls, for advice and direction. 6. Perform experiments using appropriate and approved techniques. 7. Collect and document data in a neat, organized laboratory notebook. 8. Analyze data and perform mathematical, statistical and scientific analyses. 9. Prepare reports on experiments including protocols, tables, and charts as may be suitable for presentation at meetings and for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Functional Support Services Immunology 1. Filter, sterilize, dilute and determine the MIC's and MBC of compounds against M. tuberculosis, M. avium, and other pathogenic bacteria using CFU assays, BACTEC, dye reduction and microbiological techniques. 2. Prepare batch cultures of a variety of drug sensitive and drug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. 3. Quantify and maintain frozen stocks of these strains and tests cytotoxicity of compounds found to be effective against M. tuberculosis. 4. Harvest and quantitate M. tuberculosis colony forming units from infected mice. Harvest and cultivate macrophages obtained from mice. 5. Prepare and provide data analysis of findings. 6. Provide expertise in preparing media and supplements for the cultivation of primary cells and cell lines. 7. Provide tissue culture expertise in the harvest and maintenance of primary cells and cell lines. 8. Perform purification of RNA and DNA from tissues, cells and crude biological extracts. 9. Perform animal (primarily mice) manipulations to include injection and dissection of major organs and provide subsequent analysis. 10. Perform metabolic (radiorespirometry) and manual counting assays to determine viability of M. leprae. 11. Perform radioactive (e.g., lymphocyte proliferation assays) and nonradioactive (e.g., ELISA, nitrate assay, preparation for FACS analysis) immunological assays. 12. Provide assistance in technical design of experiments. 13. Evaluate and provide assistance in interpretation of data. 14. Provide documentation of data in a neat, organized laboratory notebook allowing easy comprehension and retrieval of data. Molecular Biology 1. Provide expertise in preparing complex culture media containing specific components designed to select for auxotrophic or drug-resistant mutant microorganisms. 2. Perform purification procedures for proteins, DNA and carbohydrates from complex biological extracts of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 3. Perform complex enzymatic reactions to splice DNA into cloning vectors. 4. Provide expertise in transforming bacteria using electroporation or standard chemical methods. 5. Perform DNA and RNA purification following PCR amplification for DNA analysis using agarose and polyacrylamide gels and automated DNA sequencing. 6. Perform nucleic acid quantitation using UV spectrophotometry. 7. Perform animal (small rodents) manipulations to include injection and dissection of major organs for subsequent analysis of immune responses to DNA or recombinant BCG vaccines. 8. Provide documentation of data in a neat, organized laboratory notebook allowing easy comprehension and retrieval of data. 9. Evaluate and provide technical interpretation of data 10. Provide assistance in technical design of experiments Microbiology 1. Observe daily, a colony of armadillos, conventional mice and nude mice maintained for in vivo propagation of M. leprae. Document daily food and activity habits. Perform tests for the presence of bacterial infections and parasitic infestations. Handles and examines animals to discern their physical condition. Treats, as needed, abrasions, scars and other abnormalities. 2. Draw blood samples by venipuncture and takes tissues for histopathological examination, administer systemic medications, anesthetize, weigh, mark and inoculate armadillos and mice. Report observations. 3. Develop and maintain husbandry needs of individual animals including diet, bedding, and environmental supplements. 4. Provide analysis of clinical samples used in estimating the progress of experimental leprosy infections. 5. Maintain appropriate inventory of stock items and related equipment in good working order. 6. Assist in operation of research protocols exercising aseptic technique. 7. Perform harvests of bacilli from mouse foot pads and other tissues and assists in their enumeration. 8. Provide documentation of data in a neat, organized fashion to allow easy comprehension and retrieval of data. 9. Provide assistance in design, development and valuation of complex Microbiological and Immunological assays indexing regulation of host resistance to mycobacterial infection. 10. Test plasma, serum, tissue, blood cells or other biological samples for pathological indicators such as antibodies to M. leprae using ELISA, Electrophoresis, Bio-assays or other appropriate methodologies. Provide reports of findings. 11. Provide reports on census and clinical status of animals used in experimental procedures. 12. Quantifies clinical and experimental results to test specific hypotheses for desired outcomes. Pathology 1. Perform specialized histotechnical procedures including fixing, clearing, infiltrating, embedding, sectioning, mounting and staining of a wide variety of tissues and microbiologic specimens of human and animal origin. 2. Perform special staining procedures to identify tissue components and intracellular microorganisms, including immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent techniques. 3. Provide isolation and maintenance of mammalian cells in tissue culture. 4. Perform cellular ELISA assays and binding assays using radiolabelled mycobacteria. 5. Perform protein isolation, electrophoresis and Western blotting. 6. Maintain appropriate inventory of stock items and related equipment in good working order. 7. Provide documentation of data in a neat, organized laboratory notebook allowing easy comprehension and retrieval of data. Tuberculosis Research 1. Weigh, solubilize, filter sterilize and dilute chemical compounds. 2. Determine MIC's of compounds against M. tuberculosis, using BACTEC, dye-reduction and reporter gene assays. 3. Prepare batch cultures of M. tuberculosis. 4. Perform cytotoxicty assays on tissue culture cell lines. 5. Maintain and analyze data in electronic spread sheets. 6. Harvest, culture and infect mouse and human macrophage with M. tuberculosis. 7. Perform CFU assays of M. tuberculosis from cell culture or mouse tissue. 8. Follow BSL 3 safety regulations, maintain BSL 3 lab, autoclaving infected material, disinfecting lab and bench surfaces. Research Animal Support 1. Provide care for a variety of M. leprae infected laboratory animals including immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and armadillos. 2. Provide care for M. tuberculosis-infected mice in BSL 3 laboratory wearing protective garments and personal portable respirator under strict safety precautions. 3. Provide assistance in injecting small rodents, guinea pigs, rabbits and armadillos. 4. Provide assistance in performing autopsies and harvesting infected tissue. 5. Perform sacrifices of animals by administering lethal doses of sodium nembutal, CO2 gas, or by cervical fractures. 6. Cleans cages, runs and stalls. 7. Handle and restrain a variety of animals, including mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and armadillos. 8. Observe individual animals in a large population, noting changes in their appearance and habits, reporting observations on proper forms. 9. Maintain population and cleaning records. 10. Follow standard procedures to protect health of animals and follow biosafety regulations to protect self and co-workers. 11. Operate large mechanical cage washing machine and high pressure spray cleaner. 12. Operate high steam pressure autoclave. 13. Administer feed additives, special diets and medication under direction of technicians or investigator. 14. Assist in operating and maintaining inbred mouse breeding program. 15. Provide basic nursing assistance to armadillos. 16. Sort and autoclave laundry for Animal Care Unit Personnel Qualifications and Expertise Project Director/Contract Manager This individual is required to have experience with technical approaches required including study of mechanisms of host resistance to infection, investigations employing animal model of human disease and experience with non-standard species of laboratory experimental animals and shall possess strong management experience and leadership skills. The Project Director is expected to directly manage this contract, providing general direction and oversight of all tasks awarded under the contract, and assuring the quality of work performed. Required expertise/experience: M.D., PhD or D.V.M. with research background in working with infectious agents; experience supervising biological lab technicians as well as doctoral candidate researchers and post-doctoral researchers/scientists. Research Design Services shall be performed by Sr. Postdoctoral Fellow/Scientists or Postdoctoral Fellow/Scientists as outlined in individual task orders. Sr. Postdoctoral Fellow/Scientist shall have a Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M. or earned doctorate degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases or related discipline with knowledge of molecular biology and/or cell biology, microbiology or immunology and at least 3 years of research experience at the postdoctoral level in a related field. Postdoctoral Fellow/Scientist shall have a Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M. or earned doctorate degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases or related discipline with knowledge of molecular biology and/or cell biology, microbiology or immunology. Functional Support Services shall be performed by Senior Research Associates, Advanced Research Associates, Research Associate or Research Animal Technician as outlined in individual task orders. Sr. Research Associate shall have a Master's degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Immunology or related discipline and 2-4 years of related experience or a terminal degree (e.g. Ph.D.) in a related field. Advanced Research Associate shall have a Bachelor degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Immunology or related discipline with 2-4 years previous working experience or Master's degree in a related field. Research Associate shall have a Bachelor degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or related discipline. Research Animal Technician shall have six months experience in caring for laboratory animals or related work; physical ability to perform manual labor; physical ability to lift 50 lb. feed bags; must have no known allergies to animals, feed or chemicals; ability to follow written instructions and standard procedures; must have driver's license The contractor shall provide capability statements that address the above Research Design and Functional Support Services. The capability statement must address the following points: 1. Demonstrate ability to provide services described under each of the disciplines above including addressing in-depth all the required expertise/experience. 2. Business information: DUNS Number Company Name Company Address. Company Point of Contact, phone number and email address Type of company under NAICS/PSC, as validated via the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Additional information on NAICS codes can be found at www.sba.gov. Corporate structure (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, professional corporation, etc.); Point of Contact, phone number and email address of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. Responders should also include a statement about whether or not they have an approved Federal audited accounting system. If the responder has an approved accounting system, please provide the certification in which the accounting system was deemed adequate (e.g. the name of the audit agency and audit number). You may submit as an attachment. Interested organizations that have the capabilities to perform the above services will email their capabilities statement to Mr. Kevin McGowan at kmcgowan@hrsa.gov of their interest in this requirement within 10 calendar days of this notice. Responses shall be limited to 20 pages. NO QUESTIONS WILL BE ENTERTAINED AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTICE IS FOR MARKET RESEARCH ONLY. 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. Responses to this notice will not, however, be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. IMPORTANT: 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 offerors to perform the proposed acquisition; and (2) 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. 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 included within any resultant solicitation(s).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/aa53f37b4457b3ed85c067656ac56094)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Baton Rouge, La, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808, United States
- Zip Code: 70808
- Zip Code: 70808
- Record
- SN02704794-W 20120325/120323235446-aa53f37b4457b3ed85c067656ac56094 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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