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The response close date of the notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1); and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 and the small business size standard is $15 million.
The period of performance shall be for 12 months from the date of award.
The anticipated award shall be a firm fixed price purchase order for non-severable services.
It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement.
BACKGROUND
The contribution of environmental, occupational and genetic factors to lymphoma and leukemia has generated a series of novel, cutting edge findings in studies of Caucasians. However, the ability to follow-up, confirm and extend these observations has become limited by the low prevalence, limited range of several important chemical exposures, and the high or complete linkage disequilibrium between key candidate genetic loci in Western populations. To optimize the ability to build on and clarify these findings, it is necessary to investigate populations that differ from Caucasians in both exposure patterns and underlying genetic structure. Thus, it is valuable to scan DNA from several hospital-based case-control studies of lymphoma in East Asia, including a multi-center international hospital-based case-control study carrying out by the NCI (AsiaLymph). The major postulated risk factors for evaluation in this study are chemical exposures (e.g., benzene), genetic susceptibility and infectious agents. This study should confirm and extend previous findings and yield novel insights into the causes of leukemia in both Asia and the West.
SCOPE
To achieve the goal of the AsiaLymph study, it is critical to evaluate genetic susceptibility. The Contractor shall provide all labor, material and equipment necessary to perform scanning of 2,129 existing DNA samples that were collected from subjects enrolled in the Chinese centers of the AsiaLymph study. The Contractor shall scan DNA samples using disposable Illumina GSA chips to ensure the scientific comparability of the new data with the previously generated data. Samples shall not contain any Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This order shall not include fees associated with the shipment of samples from the Chinese centers of the AsiaLymph study to the Contractor; NCI shall coordinate the shipment of samples at award.
CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor shall:
1. Quantify 2,129 DNA samples and adjust concentration as needed based upon internal and standard protocol for the scanning system.
2. Scan 2,129 DNA samples on disposable Illumina GSA chips.
3. Provide biweekly reporting of samples processed via teleconference.
4. Report issues in the analysis of samples to the NCI technical point of contact (POC) via email within three business days of occurrence.
5. Report DNA quality evaluation two weeks before the scanning of all DNA samples.
6. Upload final results of 2,129 scanned DNA samples to the Globus site set up by NCI (https://hpc.nih.gov/storage/globus.html).
REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE
All deliverables shall be sent to the NCI Technical Point of Contact (POC) via e-mail in a Microsoft compatible format. The POC shall review the contents of the deliverables. If no comments or requests for revisions are provided within 30 days, the deliverables shall be considered acceptable.
DELIVERABLE/DESCRIPTION/DUE DATE
Task 3 Conference calls with the NCI technical POC to provide reporting of samples processed - Biweekly
Task 4 Sample analysis issue reporting - Within 3 business days of occurrence
Task 5 DNA quality evaluation report - Two weeks before the scanning of all DNA samples
Task 6 Final results of 2,129 DNA samples https://hpc.nih.gov/storage/globus.html -30 days prior to purchase order expiration date
PAYMENT
Payment authorization requires monthly submission and approval of invoices to the COR and NIH OFM.
Beijing Gene-square Biotech Ltd. has extensive experience with providing high-quality genetic analysis services by leveraging Illumina's cutting-edge micro-array technology. The Chief Scientist was responsible for the implementation of the program of international HapMap Consortium in China, which contributed to 10% of the global project. Beijing Gene-square Biotech Ltd is Illumina's certified service provider in China. China has imposed restrictions on the export of DNA samples if a lab within China can conduct the similar task to the ones out of the country. Therefore, a lab in China must be used to conduct scanning of DNA samples collected in China.
Beijing Gene-Square Biotech Ltd previously analyzed DNA samples from cases and controls for the NCI AsiaLymph study carried out in China, most recently under award #HHSN261201600713P. It is critical to use the same laboratory, equipment, DNA sample handling approach, quality control approach, and data processing to ensure the scientific comparability of the new data with the previous data. Any deviation from the proposed acquisition strategy would result in the NCI being unable to combine the results provided under the subsequent award with the results provided under the previous award, as the findings would not be scientifically comparable. Therefore, Beijing Gene-square Biotech Ltd. is the only source capable of providing the required services.
This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially a small business, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a proposal or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. All responses and questions must be sent via email to Contracting Officer, Megan Kisamore at [email protected] by no later than 3:00 PM EST, on July 31, 2019. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV. Reference: 75N91019Q00118 on all correspondence.