Notice of Intent to Sole Source ‘omics analyses

The United Stated Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis under the authority as prescribed in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) 40 S. Alcaniz St Pensacola, FL 32502, as the only responsible source that can provide procurement of laboratory supplies, biological sample (blood and muscle) analyses to characterize ‘omic signatures, and interpretation of the signature pathways. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items. Provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-07 are incorporated. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541715 with a Small Business Size Standard of 1000 employees.

The contractor MND requires the expertise of the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC; the contractor) to conduct the ‘omics analyses and assist with the interpretation of generated data for the determination of metabolic biomarkers or signatures characteristic of molecular responses to military-relevant stressors (i.e. energy deficiency etc.) in young adults. Blood and skeletal muscle samples collected by USARIEM will be sent to IHMC and prepared for ‘omics analyses at IHMC, who will carry out all proposed ‘omics analyses required by this contract, including: inventory management (Lab Guru barcode-based inventory software, multiple ultra-low temperature -80ºC freezers, -20ºC freezers, and liquid nitrogen dewars, and a centralized freezer temperature alert system), sample processing (BeadRuptor Elite Mill Homogenizer with Cryo Cooling Unit and all necessary minor laboratory equipment including several tabletop centrifuges, vortices, and spinners), and quality assessment/ quality control (Forma Scientific Class IIA/B3 microbiological safety cabinet, RNA/DNA clean box stations enabled with UV light to maintain sterility, NanoDrop One Microvolume spectrophotometer, Qubit fluorometer, and Agilent bioanalyzer). All samples are processed using commercially available kits supplied by IHMC.

The Government requires the contractor to assist with the intellectual interpretation of the analytical approach for the characterization of metabolic biomarkers or signatures characteristic of molecular responses to military-relevant stressors in young adults. As stated above, the contractor will perform ‘omic analyses in blood and muscle tissue collected at USARIEM. After the analyses are complete, the contractor will provide a comprehensive data report and assist with data interpretation and preparation of scientific reports/peer-review publications.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document will be posted for this requirement.

Any other firms desiring consideration must fully identify their interest and capability to provide these services no later than 14 March 2025 to the individual listed below. 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. Interested persons may identify their interest in writing, to the Government Point of Contact. Responses to this notice must be received no later than 11:00am Eastern Standard Time, 14 March 2025. The point of contact for this action is Ms. Kasey Carroll, kasey.l.carroll.civ@health.mil. No telephone requests will be honored.