The Role of Mitochondrial Genetic Variation in Dementia

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SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Solicitation Number: 75N95025Q00101

Title: The Role of Mitochondrial Genetic Variation in Dementia

Classification Code: R499

NAICS Code: 541380

Description: Testing Laboratories

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; (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:

The newly formed Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD) has determined that impaired mitochondrial function is a possible pathway to dementia. The goal of this project is to determine whether mitochondrial genetic variation and function play a role in Alzheimer’s disease through direct examination of patient brain tissue. NIA is investigating this through multiple approaches. First, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes may affect the risk cognitive dementia and function. We will investigate the relationship between mtDNA mutations, including changes in copy number, in dementia cases. Second, mitochondrial oxidative capacity may decline with age, but the biological underpinnings remain unclear. NIA will use mass spectrometry-based methods to assess metabolites in patient tissue.

Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure laboratory analysis of mitochondrial genetic variation in dementia patient samples for the Center of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.

Project requirements:

The Contractor shall perform the following:

• The Contractor will perform digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess mtDNA mutations in dementia patients. Contractor will supply 570 brain tissue samples (2 brain regions, frontal and occipital cortices) from dementia patients.


• Contractor will extract DNA from patient tissue using Qiagen- QIAmp DNA mini extraction kits and then perform Illumina short-read sequencing using the Twist Bioscience Mitochondrial Panel to assess mtDNA mutations. A monochrome qPCR assay using the Applied Biosystems ViiA 7 Real-time PCR System is needed to assess mtDNA copy number in patient samples.


• The Contractor will provide dedicated staff and reagents to process samples for mtDNA sequencing and mtDNA copy number analyses, and to analyze the resulting data.


• The Contractor will ship 570 frozen brain samples to NIA in a state that is compatible with to proteomics, cardiolipins mass spectrometry including oxidized cardiolipins, and long-read RNA sequencing assays.

Anticipated period of performance:

February 1, 2025- January 31, 2026 with one (1) additional option period from February 1, 2026-January 31, 2027.

Requested Response:

The intent of this sources sought notice is to define the procurement strategy (e.g. set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation that is intended to be posted soon. Interested contractors are requested to respond by (1) identifying how their proposed product meets or exceeds the project requirements listed above; and (2) providing product literature, white papers, or capability statements that demonstrate their bona fide ability to supply such an item within the time frame described above.

In addition, please state your business size status and whether you are the manufacturer or authorized distributor of the item you propose.

Please note that 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.

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.

The information submitted must be 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 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 Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Kevin Alvarez, Contracting Officer, at e-mail address kevin.alvarez@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before January 2, 2025, 9:00am, 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 at SAM.gov. 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).

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