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Description: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. 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 small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) 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, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.
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: DNA is exposed to a large variety of potentially damaging challenges, including free radical species, ultraviolet light, and environmental pollutants. These stresses activate the DNA damage response (DDR) and if the DNA damage cannot be fixed, the DDR can induce cell death. However, there is evidence that unrepaired DNA lesions tend to accumulate with age, and it has been suggested that accumulation of DNA damage is the primary mechanism for the development of most aging phenotypes. Multiple lines of evidence support this hypothesis, however, evidence that DNA somatic mutations accumulate in human cells is still lacking. The primary aim of this study is to investigate if the number of random somatic mutations that accumulated in the DNA extracted from circulating cells increases with aging in healthy individuals.
Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this work is to do whole genome sequencing and whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing for DNA that was extracted from buffy coat samples and immune cells that was isolated from the GESTALT donors.
Project Requirements:
Government Responsibilities: The government will provide the DNA to be sequenced. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) will extract the DNA from the samples. The DNA will be provided to the Contractor for library preparation, whole genome sequencing and whole genome Bisulfite sequencing. Also, the Contractor shall perform quality control on the DNA that NIA will provide and shall perform data quality control on the data that they will generate.
Anticipated Period of Performance: June 2021 – October 2021
Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement that clearly identifies their ability to provide the requirements 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.
Please note that the NIA is particularly interested in small business sources. If you are a small business, please state the type of small business (small business; HUBZone; service-disabled, veteran-owned; 8(a); veteran-owned; woman-owned; or small disadvantaged businesses) and your 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, including whether a set-aside is possible.
One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.
The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.
The response is limited to ten (10) pages. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.
The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.
All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist.
Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.
The response must be submitted to Diedra Prophet at e-mail address [email protected].
The response must be received on or before Friday, May 21, 2021 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time.
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(s).