This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NICHD201700033 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-95. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541380 and the business size standard is 1000 employees. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intend to contract on a sole source basis with University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, for the services of Kidney tissue for light microscopy.

We are performing serial kidney biopsies on patients with diabetic kidney disease to identify the underlying mechanisms of disease. We recently found tissue samples stored in formalin from the first kidney biopsy that we performed more than 7 years ago on 22 of these participants. Measurement of these samples will greatly enhance the value of the data we have in these participants, since we only had data from other tissue specimens that had not been stored in formalin. For scientific validity, all measurements on these samples need to be performed by the same laboratory at the University of Minnesota that performed all other morphometric measurements in this cohort.

The work to be done for each of 22 light microscopy formalin fixed samples would include:
1. embedding in paraffin
2. serial sectioning through the blocks at 5 microns, - 200 sections/biopsy
3. PAS staining of every 5th section
4. Digital imaging of cortex in the stained sections
5. Point the digitized images for counting for all of tubular and interstitial parameters including:
No Scar Vv(lnt/cortex) =fraction of cortex that is interstitial; no scar tissue
No Scar Vv(PT/cortex) = fraction of cortex that is proximal tubules; no scar tissue
No Scar Vv(DT/cortex) =fraction of cortex that is distal & collecting tubules; no scar tissue
No Scar Vv(AT/cortex) =fraction of cortex that is atrophic tubules; no scar tissue
No Scar Vv(TT/cortex) =fraction of cortex that is Total Tubules (Proximal+Distal+Atrophic); no
scar tissue
No Scar Vv(ATITT) =fraction of Total Tubules that are Atrophic Tubules; no scar tissue
Vv(lnt/Scar-cortex) =fraction of scar-cortex that is interstitium
Vv(Total Int/Total Cortex)= fraction of Total Cortex that is Total lnterstitium
Vv(Total AT/Total Cortex)= fraction of Total Cortex that is Total Atrophic Tubules
Vv(Scar/Total Cortex)= fraction of Total Cortex that is Scar-cortex
6. Glomerular volume by Cavalieri
6. Mauer evaluation of biopsies for %GS, %FSGS, %atrophic gloms, index of arteriolar
hyalinosis, and descriptions of patterns of injury such as KW nodules, exudative glomerular
lesions and interstitial inflammation.

The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items - Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. The offeror must include their Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with the all the products and or services specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation to the below address or via email to [email protected]. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, delivery timeframe, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all of the foregoing requirements. Quotations will be due September 8, 2017 before 10:00 am EST. via email or postal mail. The quotation must reference "Solicitation number" NICHD201700033. Quotations sent by postal mail or other mailing services must be submitted to the following address: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - 6710B Rockledge Drive, Room MSC 1159A, Bethesda, MD 20892. Note: Fed Ex/Ups/other courier use 20817. Attention: Verne Griffin, by the date and time mentioned above.

Any questions must be sent via email to [email protected] and must include solicitation# NICHD201700033 in the subject line of email. Faxed copies/responses will not be accepted. Email solicitations not accepted. Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification for all awards in the SAM database @www.sam.gov

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