Heterogeneity in the genetics of inflammatory variants and immunogenic responses to exercise and dietary restriction with aging
PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT
NON-COMPETITIVE
INTRODUCTION
PURSUANT TO FAR Subpart 5.2-Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions, THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF A PROPOSED CONTRACT TO ACTION.
THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME).
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Office of Acquisition, Contracts Management Branch Blue, NIA Section on behalf of the National Institute on Aging intends to negotiate and award a purchase order for the evaluation of heterogeneity in the genetics of inflammatory variants and immunogenic responses to exercise and dietary restriction with aging to the University of Connecticut.
North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code
The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services with a Size Standard of $15.0 million.
Regulatory Authority
The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses of the Federal acquisition Requlation (FAR) in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2019-03, dated July 12, 2019.
Statutory Authority
This acquisition is conducted as non-competitive under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) under provisions of the statutory authority of FAR Subpart 6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency
Requirements
This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures, Subpart 13.106-1 (b) (1), Soliciting from a single source.
Background and Objectives:
The topic of Precision Geroscience is of great interest to the Longitudinal Study Section (LSS) of the Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB) at the National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program (NIA/IRP). We are especially interested in efforts to better delineate mechanistic links between predictive clinical measurements or biomarkers on the one hand and distinct clinical outcomes on the other.
Project Requirements:
Precision Geroscience is a transformational approach to the study of aging that seeks to develop scientific knowledge permitting the design and testing of clinical interventions that are rendered precise, personalized and effective by virtue of being guided by the heterogeneity involved in shared biological mechanisms. Two unique and highly complementary projects undertaken by NIA are outlined below.
Project 1:
The Longitudinal Study Section (LSS) of the Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB) at the National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program (NIA/IRP) has a longstanding interest in epidemiologic analysis of inflammatory factors in human aging. New exceptionally large-scale genetic data have recently become available from the US Health and Retirement Study (n=13,000) and the UK Biobank (n=500,000, 217,000 aged 60 to 69 years at baseline).
Project 2:
The LSS of the TGB at the NIA/IRP also has a longstanding interest in heterogeneity involving epigenetic traits and gene expression between older adults, how such heterogeneity may be reflective of specific health or disease states and the extent to which such genomic signatures may be modifiable as a result of specific clinical interventions. To that end, in a second related project is generating ATAC-Seq and single cell RNA-Seq data performed using PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) obtained from older frail diabetics before and after a 6 months intervention study comparing exercise with dietary restriction versus usual care. This intervention improves glucose tolerance and physical performance while decreasing frailty in these vulnerable individuals. The goal of this project will be to identify genes and network pathways involving inflammation and other biological hallmarks of aging that are modified by this intervention and could therefore reflect attractive targets for development as biomarkers of aging and/or targets for future geroscience-guided therapies.
The Contactor shall work in collaboration with LSS investigators and study staff of the NIA providing data epidemiology services as follows:
a) Undertake genetic epidemiology analyses of data from the US Health and Retirement study and the UK Biobank cohorts, to establish the role in human aging outcomes of genetic variants related to key genetic variants involved in inflammation, especially Complement Factor H and in HLA sub-types. Outcomes of interest include major disease-free aging at 70 years old, muscle strength and volume, plus survival;
b) Undertake analysis of ATAC-Seq and single cell RNA-Seq data performed using PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) obtained from older frail diabetics before and after a 6 month intervention study comparing exercise with dietary restriction versus usual care with an emphasis on heterogeneity in genes and inflammatory pathways that are associated with specific disease states and modified by this intervention
c) Prepare a draft report of results, for publication;
d) Undertake additional analyses or revisions as reasonably required by NIA, on academic grounds;
e) Submit a final report at the end of the period of performance.
Anticipated Period of Performance:
The anticipated period of performance is one year from the date of award. The estimated time frame of award is on/about August 2019.
Closing Statement:
This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice.
Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount. The technical proposal must include CV information for proposed Key Personnel that meet the minimum requirements specified above.
In addition, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), 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."
A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.
All responses must be received by Friday, August 2, 2019 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time and must reference number 75N95019R00068.
Responses must be submitted electronically to Scott Bredow at scott.bredow@nih.gov. Fax responses will not be accepted.
"All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency."
Scott Bredow, Branch Chief, Supervisory Contract Specialist, Phone 3014807503, Email scott.bredow@nih.gov
