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Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract.
Period of Performance: Performance shall be for a twelve month base period with three (3) twelve month option periods.
The Genetic Epidemiology Branch is a member of GenoMEL, the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, which is a group of familial melanoma researchers from the U.S. and several other countries. The consortium was formed in 1997 because no research group in the world has enough melanoma-prone families to fully characterize the clinical and molecular genetics aspects of familial melanoma.
The purpose of this procurement is to provide a mechanism for the Genetic Epidemiology Branch (GEB) to have familial melanoma study pigmented lesion pathology material reviewed by an expert dermatopathologist to ensure GEB's participation in GenoMEL, the Melanoma Genetics Consortium.
The contractor shall be provided pathology material consisting of 5 slides per patient, 1-3 paraffin blocks approximately per patient (blocks shall be determined by the number of lesions removed per patient) for a total of 99 lesions per year. The lesions shall be categorized as melanoma, dysplastic nevi, common nevi, or some other skin tumor for patients who are participants in GenoMEL-related studies.
The Contractor shall be certified by the American Board of Pathology as specialist in Dermatopathology and have a minimum of 5 years experience in the following task areas:
1. Preparation of high-resolution digital pigmented lesion pathology slide images.
2. Rigorous pigmented lesion pathology material and image review according to GenoMEL criteria.
3. Evaluation of lesions based on a panel of variables and pathologic criteria (i.e. thickness of invasion; determination of dysplasia; cellular features) that are required data elements for GenoMEL's data analyses.
4. Generation of pathology data forms containing the variables and format needed for the Consortium.
The contractor shall provide the NCI with data forms in Word Format of his findings within 1-2 weeks after each pathology review, depending upon their complexity. These data forms shall serve the research purposes of the GEB and ensure that the pathology review parameters and data elements are consistent with the criteria and format required by GenoMEL.
The proposed Contractor is the Principal Investigator for Pathology for GenoMEL (the Melanoma Genetics Consortium) studies. He is a certified specialist in dermatopathology by the American Board of Pathology. It is essential for GEB's participation in GenoMEL to have the study participants' pathology material reviewed by the proposed Contractor to ensure that the pathology reviews and data elements are consistent with the criteria and format required by GenoMEL.
For these analyses, it is crucial that consistency of data within GenoMEL be achieved. All pigmented lesion (melanomas and moles) pathology material from members of melanoma-prone families being studied by the GEB must be reviewed to ensure that study participants are categorized with the correct diagnoses, and that the features all of the pigmented lesions are reviewed consistently to meet the data requirements for GenoMEL's studies. For these reasons, no other source is known to the NCI who can provide the specialized services to the GEB laboratory.
This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI Office of Acquisitions on or before 11:00 AM EST on July 6, 2010. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax), an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI Office of Acquisitions to the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Ashley Virts, Contract Specialist at [email protected]. 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. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-¬¬¬¬-100082-AV on all correspondences.