22-011511-0

Post Date/ Solicitation Issue Date

September 2, 2022 12:00 pm

Closing Response Date

September 12, 2022 9:00 am

Proposed Award Date

September 15, 2022 12:00 pm

Project Title

Hematopoietic stem cell mouse and human cytokines

Contracting Office

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Small Business Size Standard

1250

FPDS Classification Code

6810

Delivery of Goods

30 Days ARO

Competition Status

Non-Competitive

Single-Sole Source Determination

Acquisition Authority: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of Federal Authority Regulation (FAR) Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures, Subpart 13. 106-1 (b)(1 ), Soliciting from a single source and is not expected to exceed the Simplified Acquisition threshold. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13- Simplified Acquisition Procedures and at a dollar value less than the simplified acquisition threshold are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6- Competition Requirements.

This notice of proposed acquisition is posted as an intent to award a purchase order on a non-competitive basis to PeproTech. These specific reagents are required for key cell culture experiments because it is of utmost importance to maintain the consistency and reproducibility of the ongoing part of the projects. These reagents have been used since the commencement of the NIA project and continuous use of the same lots are required for successful completion of the projects that are ongoing.

Background/Description of Requirement

This acquisition is being conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and the resultant contract award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2202-07 dated August 10, 2022.

The Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB)/NIA will be isolating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from humans and mice for ex vivo cultures. In order to maintain normal HSC function, certain cytokines and factors are necessary.

The hematopoietic stem cell mouse and human cytokines manufactured by PeproTech have been extensively used in initial projects in TGB, and the cytokines in this requirement will be used for a continuation of the postdoctoral research aims, which have been carried out for over 7 years.

Purchase Description:

Cat. No.	Product Name	Qty.	Size
AF-250-03-500UG	Animal-Free Murine SCF	1	500ug
250-03-500UG	Murine SCF	1	500ug
AF-315-14-100UG	Animal-Free Murine TPO	1	100ug
315-14-250UG	Murine TPO	1	250ug
250-05-250UG	Murine G-CSF	1	250ug
315-02-250UG	Murine M-CSF	1	250ug
250-31L-250UG	Murine Flt3-Ligand	1	250ug
315-03-100UG	Murine GM-CSF	1	100ug
213-13-250UG	Murine IL-3	1	250ug
217-17-100UG	Murine IL-7	1	100ug
210-12-250UG	Murine IL-12 p70	1	250ug
100-64-500UG	Human EPO	1	500ug
300-19-250UG	Human Flt3-Ligand	1	250ug
300-03-100UG	Human GM-CSF	1	100ug
200-03-100UG	Human IL-3	1	100ug
200-06-500UG	Human IL-6	1	500ug
200-07-100UG	Human IL-7	1	100ug
200-12-100UG	Human IL-12 p70 (CHO derived)	1	100ug
300-07-500UG	Human SCF	1	500ug
300-18-100UG	Human TPO	1	100ug
100-20-100UG	Human VEGF 165	1	100ug

Salient characteristics:

• Hematopoietic growth factor that exerts its activity by signaling through the c-Kit receptor.
• SCF and c-Kit are essential for the survival, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells committed to the melanocyte and germ cell lineages.
• Human SCF manifests low activity on murine cells, while murine and rat SCF are fully active on human cells.
• The human SCF gene encodes for a 273 amino acid transmembrane protein, which contains a 25 amino acid N-terminal signal sequence, a 189 amino acid extracellular domain, a 23 amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 36 amino acid cytoplasmic domain.
• The secreted soluble form of SCF is generated by proteolytic processing of the membrane anchored precursor. Recombinant Murine SCF is an 18.3 kDa polypeptide containing 165 amino acid residues, which corresponds to the sequence of the secreted soluble form of SCF.
• TPO signals through the c-mpl receptor, and acts as an important regulator of circulating platelets. Human and murine TPO exhibit cross-species reactivity.
• Recombinant Murine TPO is a fully biologically active 174 amino acid polypeptide (18.7 kDa), which contains the erythropoietin-like domain of the full length TPO protein.
• Flt3-Ligand is a growth factor that regulates proliferation of early hematopoietic cells. Flt3-Ligand binds to cells expressing the tyrosine kinase receptor Flt3.
•  Flt3-Ligand, by itself does not stimulate proliferation of early hematopoietic cells, but synergizes with other CSFs and interleukins to induce growth and differentiation.
• Unlike SCF, Flt3-Ligand has no activity on mast cells. Multiple isoforms of Flt3-Ligand have been identified.
•  The predominant biologically active form is anchored to the cell surface as the extracellular domain of a transmembrane protein (209 a.a.).
• The membrane-bound isoform can be proteolytically cleaved to generate a biologically active soluble isoform. Recombinant Murine Flt3-Ligand is a soluble 18.6 kDa protein consisting of 163 amino acid residues.
• GM-CSF is a hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates the development of neutrophils and macrophages, and promotes the proliferation and development of early erythroid megakaryocytic and eosinophilic progenitor cells.
• It is produced in endothelial cells, monocytes, fibroblasts and T-lymphocytes. GM-CSF inhibits neutrophil migration and enhances the functional activity of the mature end-cells.
• The human and murine molecules are species-specific and exhibit no cross-species reactivity. Recombinant Murine GM-CSF is a 14.2 kDa globular protein consisting of 125 amino acid residues.
• IL-3 is a hematopoietic growth factor that promotes the survival, differentiation and proliferation of committed progenitor cells of the megakaryocyte, granulocyte-macrophage, erythroid, eosinophil, basophil and mast cell lineages. 
•  Produced by T cells, mast cells and eosinophils, IL-3 enhances thrombopoiesis, phagocytosis, and antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity.  Its ability to activate monocytes suggests that IL-3 may have additional immunoregulatory roles. 
• The IL-3 activities depend upon co-stimulation with other cytokines.  IL-3 is a species-specific, variably glycosylated cytokine.  Recombinant Murine IL-3 is a 15.1 kDa globular protein containing 135 amino acid residues.
• IL-7 is a hematopoietic growth factor that primarily affects early B and T cells.  Produced by thymic stromal cells, spleen cells and keratinocytes, IL-7 can also co-stimulate the proliferation of mature T cells in combination with other factors, such as ConA and IL-2.  Human and murine IL-7 are cross-species reactive.  Recombinant Murine IL-7 is a 15.0 kDa protein containing 130 amino acid residues.
• IL-12 is a potent regulator of cell-mediated immune responses and it induces IFN-γ production by NK and T cells. 
•  It is produced by activated monocytes/macrophage cells, B lymphocytes and connective tissue-type mast cells. 
• Among its biological activities, IL-12 promotes the growth and activity of activated NK, CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and induces the development of IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells. 
• Recombinant Murine IL-12 is a 75.0 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of disulfide-linked 35 kDa (p35) and 40 kDa (p40) subunits (506 total amino acid residues).
• Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone that is principally known for its role in erythropoiesis, where it is responsible for stimulating proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells.
• The differentiation of CFU-E (Colony Forming Unit-Erythroid) cells into erythrocytes can only be accomplished in the presence of EPO.
• Physiological levels of EPO in adult mammals are maintained primarily by the kidneys, whereas levels in fetal or neonatal mammals are maintained by the liver. EPO also can exert various non-hematopoietic activities, including vascularization and proliferation of smooth muscle, neural protection during hypoxia, and stimulation of certain B cells.
• Human EPO contains 166 amino acid residues and has a calculated molecular weight of approximately 18.4 kDa. As a result of glycosylation, Recombinant Human EPO migrates with an apparent molecular mass of 37.0 kDa by SDS-PAGE gel, under reducing and non-reducing conditions. 
• SCF is a hematopoietic growth factor that exerts its activity by signaling through the c-Kit receptor. SCF and c-Kit are essential for the survival, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells committed to the melanocyte and germ cell lineages.
• TPO is a lineage-specific growth factor produced in the liver, kidney and skeletal muscle. It stimulates the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes, and promotes increased circulating levels of platelets in vivo.
• TPO signals through the c-mpl receptor, and acts as an important regulator of circulating platelets. Human and murine TPO exhibit cross-species reactivity. The human TPO gene encodes for a 353 amino acid glycoprotein, which contains a 21 amino acid signal sequence, a 15 amino acid erythropoietin-like domain, and a highly glycosylated 179 amino acid C-terminal domain. Recombinant Human TPO is a fully biologically active 174 amino acid polypeptide (18.6 kDa), which contains the erythropoietin-like domain of the full length TPO protein.

Quantity: A quantity of one for each vial containing the appropriate amount of cytokine is needed to be ordered.

Delivery Date: 30 days ARO

Contract Type:

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Purchase Order award not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold is anticipated from any contract resulting from this requirement. 

Summary Statement:

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), certification of country of ownership, and the certification of business size must be included in the response.

All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.”

For equipment/parts/supply requirements under this requirement, if applicable, responses must include: the place of manufacturing (i.e., address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture).

Respondents that believe that they are manufacturers or authorized resellers of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b)product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order.

In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25.

Quoter Terms and Conditions (To be completed by the Offeror):

1.    Period of Performance OR Delivery Date After Receipt of Order:
2.    Shipping Point (F.O.B. OR Destination):
3.    Payment Discount Terms:
4.    NIH BPA Number
5.    SAM UEI No:

6.    Name of Company:
7.    Street Address, City, State, Zip code:

8.    Name of Person Authorized to Provide Quote:
9.    Telephone Number and Email Address of Person Authorized to Provide Quote:

Additional Terms and Conditions, Provisions, and Representations:

The FAR Clauses are incorporated by reference and are provided in full text at https://www.acquisition.gov/

1. FAR Provision 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Sept 2021) is applicable to this solicitation.

2. FAR Provision 52.212.2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (Oct 2014) is applicable to this solicitation. The Government will evaluate quotations or offers in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 and award a purchase order from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes: Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; Price; and Past performance [see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)]

3. FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Feb 2021), is applicable to this solicitation 

4.  FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (November 2021), is applicable to this solicitation.

5. FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (May 2022) is applicable to this solicitation. See attachment. 

In addition, the following FAR provisions and clauses are applicable to this solicitation and incorporated by reference: 

52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018), 

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018), 

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020), 

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020),

52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999),

52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83),

HHSAR 352.239-73, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice (December 18, 2015).

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated as an attachment. Offerors MUST complete the provision at 52.204-24 and 52.204-26 and submit a completed copy as a separate document with their quotation.

1. FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Oct 2020)
2. FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020)
3. FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services Representation (Oct 2020)
4. NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions

All responses must be received by September 12, 2022 at 9 AM EST and must reference announcement / solicitation number 22-011511. Responses may be submitted electronically to Randall Carter (Randall.carter@nih.gov).  Fax responses will not be accepted.