(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is HHS-NIH-NIDA-CSS-20-007540 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote.

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5—Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2020-07, with effective date July 2, 2020.

(iv) The associated NAICS code 541380 and the small business size standard is $16,500,000. This requirement is being solicited as full and open competition. This requirement has no set aside restrictions.

(v) Statement of Need and Purpose: The purpose of this acquisition is to synthesize and characterize three novel modified peptides and to generate monoclonal antibodies that specifically target these modified peptides.  These modified proteins were identified as potentially important contributors to degenerative pathologies by the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) lab, and specific monoclonal antibodies are needed to better characterize these emerging pathologies.

Background Information and Objective: NIA has identified modified peptide epitopes that are increased in postmortem brain tissue from neuroinflammatory diseases, using multiplex immunostaining studies. These novel epitopes could potentially provide new insights into the causes or consequences of neuroinflammatory diseases. The objective is to develop novel antibodies to better characterize the importance of these novel epitopes. In order to be integrated into NIA’s multiple immunohistochemistry investigations, they must be (1) monoclonal antibodies to allow for inclusion of multiple epitopes; (2) purified to contain only the antibodies of interest. In order to achieve the two above objectives, NIA must provide protected, modified peptides to a company with experience in the specific deprotection procedures that are required to not damage our modified peptides. The contractor must also be able to provide in-depth HPLC-mass spectrometry analysis of modified peptides to ensure the identity and purity of de-protected peptides.

General Requirements: Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work below:

Specific Requirements:

1. Provide HPLC and mass spectrometry analytical report of the modified peptides to ensure identity and purity and to quantify prior to carrier conjugation
2. Deprotection and carrier conjugation of modified peptide in preparation for immunization
3. Initial Immunization with subsequent booster immunization as needed
4. Spreadsheet reporting the titers following boosts
5. Antibody collection with shipment to NIA for pre-screening
6. Splenocyte harvest and fusion
7. Clone generation and testing and selection
8. Provision of clone supernatant and provision of promising clones to NIA for test
9. Subcloning with delivery of supernatant

Reporting Requirements: Report all findings after completion of all elements by March 31, 2021

Data Rights: The Government will own the data resulted from this service.

(vi) The Government anticipates award of a firm fixed-price purchase order for this acquisition, and the anticipated period of performance is 6-12 months from date of award.

(vii) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at these addresses:

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html

(End of Provision)

The following FAR provisions shall apply to this solicitation:

• 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)
• 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020)
• 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services – Representation (DEC 2019)
• 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items (MAR 2020)
• 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items (OCT 2014)
• 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (MAR 2020)

The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998), applies to this acquisition. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html

(End of Clause)

(viii) The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:

• 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)
• 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020)
• 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference Representations and Certifications (DEC 2014)
• HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015)
• 52.227-14 Rights in Data-General (MAY 2014)
• 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (OCT 2018)
• 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (AUG 2020).

The following clauses within 52.212-5 apply to this acquisition:

• 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020)
• 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JUN 2020)
• 52-219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (MAR 2020)
• 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation (MAY 2020)
• 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003)
• 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015)
• 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (SEPT 2016)
• 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020)
• 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020)
• 52.222-37 Equal Opportunity Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020)
• 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (JAN 2019)
• 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020)
• 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008)
• 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are attached in full text:

• FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG 2020)
• Interim NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (APR 2020)
• Standard NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (FEB 2014)

(ix) Instructions to Offerors

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: 1) ability to meet the technical requirements, 2) past performance, and 3) price. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(x) Offerors must include a completed copy of the following provisions with their offer:

• 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (JUN 2020)
• 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG 2020)
• 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Dec 2019)

(xi) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

(xii) Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement, as well as the offeror’s past performance, as it relates to the 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. Responses shall not exceed 10 pages, excluding pricing information and the completed 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items and 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

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.

All questions must be received by 3:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 and reference solicitation HHS-NIH-NIDA-CSS-20-007540. Questions may be submitted electronically to Rashiid Cummins, Contract Specialist, at [email protected]

All offers must be received by Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and must reference solicitation number HHS-NIH-NIDA-CSS-20-007540. Responses must be submitted electronically to Rashiid Cummins at [email protected]

Fax responses will not be accepted.

(xiii) The name of the individuals to contact for information regarding the solicitation:

Rashiid Cummins

Contract Specialist

[email protected]