Contact Points
Seattle, WA 98109-5553
The essential characteristics of the service that limit the availability to a sole source are the ability and technology to perform whole transcriptome with spatial profiling analysis on mouse tissue. Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because this technology is novel/unique and not yet available elsewhere. This methodology provides systemic evaluation of whole transcriptional alterations in the brain of Rap1 mutant mice. This technology is proven to the best out there for this kind of study.
NanoString Technologies, Inc. has provided a sole source letter to the Government, certifying that no other company has authority to provide GeoMx TAP NGS WTA.
Acquisition Authority: 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 2021-05 published in the Federal Register on March 10, 2021.
A Fixed-Price type of Purchase Order award not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold is anticipated for any contract resulting from this requirement.
The Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics (LGG) at National Institute on Aging (NIA) need to perform whole transcriptome analysis with spatial profiling on brains from our Rap1 mutant knock-in mouse model to determine what brain cells and genetic changes are responsible for brain-associated aging phenotypes that LGG/NIA have observed in these mice.
LGG/NIA Rap1 mutant knock-in model was designed to determine the non-telomeric role of the telomeric protein, Rap1, in aging. In this model, Rap1 localization at telomeres is prevented. This leads to Rap1 accumulation at non-telomeric regions. Rap1 affects transcription at non-telomeric genomic regions. Rap1 is also expressed in the cytosol where it can affect the function of cytosolic transcription factors, including the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Whole brains from Rap1 mutant knock-in mice exhibit changes in immune response transcripts and increased production of inflammatory cytokines. Rap1 mutant knock-in mice also exhibit behavioral abnormalities and deficits, indicative of neurological dysfunction. To determine what specific brain regions and cell types in the brain and the genetic changes within those regions/cells are responsible for these observed phenotypes, whole transcirptome analysis with spatial profiling is required.
The Period of Performance will be July 15, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
The vendor shall provide the following GeoMx TAP NGS WTA, Quantity of 4, Item Number 999315.
The Contractor shall communicate to LGG/NIA if there are any problems with the brain sections provided and if additional sections need to be submitted. The Contractor will submit the results to LGG/NIA when completed.
General Requirements
The Contractor shall perform whole transcriptome analysis with next generation sequencing and digital spatial profiling on brain sections from Rap1 wild-type, heterozygous, and knock-in mice. 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 to perform the Statement of Work below:
Specific Requirements
The Contractor shall stain brain sections using morphology markers that distinguish cell populations on four (4) different slides containing brain sections (from Rap1 wild-type, heterozygous, and Rap1 mutant knockin mice). Based on this staining, LGG/NIA will choose 12 specific regions for which the Contractor shall perform whole transcriptome analysis with next-generation sequencing on four (4) additional slides containing adjacent brain sections to those used for the morphology markers. The results should provide lists of genes that are differentially expressed among the genotypes in specific cell populations within specific brain regions.
LEVEL OF EFFORT
Required expertise in the specialized knowledge of next generation sequencing.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The LGG/NIA will provide the tissue from Rap 1 wt, heterozygous, and mutants to the Company.
DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES
The results will be delivered electronically by logging into the portal. They will also send a copy by email.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The contractor will deliver periodic updates and updated data files, and at the end of the contract period electronic digital data files reporting for the data to be reviewed, updated and adjudicated.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Travel:
This work involves no travel requirements.
Key Personnel:
Required expertise in the specialized knowledge of whole transcriptome analysis with next generation sequencing.
Data Rights:
The National Institute on Aging shall have unlimited rights to, and ownership of all deliverables provided under this contract, including reports, data updates and statistical results. This includes the deliverables provided under the basic contract and any optional task deliverables exercised by the contracting officer. In addition, it includes any additional deliverables required by contract change. The definition of “unlimited rights” is contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 27.401, “Definitions.” FAR clause 52.227-14,
Confidentiality of Information:
The Contractor shall ensure that data they provide us from sequencing experiments are confidential.
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, if applicable:
5. DUNS 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
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 completed copies as separate documents with their quotation.
1. FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020)
2. FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020)
3. FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020)
Interested parties may identify in writing their interest and capability in response to this requirement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.
All responses must be received by closing date and must reference the announcement. Responses may be submitted electronically to the attention of the contract specialist. Fax responses will not be accepted.
All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.