The National Institutes of Health intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with S&S Farms.

The National Eye Institute researcher intent is to use these animals on a study to prove concept to their hypothesis by using these animals to homed in on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to treat Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  This is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for “straight-ahead” activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail.  Due to unique requirement of the research study that requires all of the animals on the study have pigmented (dark) eyes and skin. 

Responses
The proposed acquisition action is for items and services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b).  If you believe you can provide the items or services requested, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency, to the Contracting Officer, Anne Mineweaser, at  [email protected]   referencing notice number NIH-OLAO-OD3-NOI5561970 by  10:00A.M. on March 9, 2020.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract acquisition based upon responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

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. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. 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.

Any solicitation resulting from the analysis of information obtained will be announced to the public in Federal Business Opportunities in accordance with the FAR Part 5. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.  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).