The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to procure on a sole source basis pooled shRNA lentiviral libraries in both a viral and plasmid format for both the mouse and human genomes with Systems Biosciences, Inc., 1616 N. Shoreline Blvd. Mountain View, CA 94043. This acquisition will be conducted under the procedures for acquiring commercial items authorized in FAR Part 12 and under the authority to use simplified procedures for commercial requirements as provided in FAR 13.501. The North American Industry Classification code is 325414 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Period of Performance: Delivery within sixty (60) days of award. The purpose of this procurement is to obtain state-of-the-art tools for applying high-throughput, RNAi-mediated gene silencing to study various pathways and processes in mammalian cell systems. Large-scale RNA interference (RNAi) studies have facilitated the search for genes required for diverse biological processes enabling stepwise dissection of specific signaling pathways. In combination with high-throughput assays, genome-wide RNAi studies have uncovered novel gene functions in various biological processes through loss of function approaches. Several of these studies were aimed at the identification of genes essential for cell division, cell cycle progression, endocytosis, tumor transformation and apoptosis. Through these studies, the power of this approach for the identification of functional modules has been demonstrated.A combination of short hairpin RNA vector libraries in both viral (lentivirus) and plasmid forms are being sought to support these types of loss-of-function assays. In addition, microRNA precursor pooled libraries are also being sought to assist CCR investigators in the understanding of the role of miRNAs in biological processes, such as in cancer development. This library will enable the study of phenotypic effects associated with the over-expression of individual microRNAs. Contractor Requirements: The contractor shall provide pooled shRNA lentiviral libraries in both a viral and plasmid format for both the mouse and human genomes. The libraries must contain up to 40,000 cloned shRNAs with 3-5 shRNA species per gene target (minimum of 160,000 clones total). The purchase of the viral library will enable about several investigators to perform experiments immediately while the plasmid library can be processed by one of NCI’s core laboratories to produce enough virus for hundreds of additional experiments. The CCR requires a minimum of 100 x 10^6 IFUs for approximately 12-15 initial experiments for multiple PIs and 1 mg of pooled plasmid library stock, which will be used to produce additional virus stock for further distribution. The contractor shall also provide a pre-packaged library representing a pool of at least 500 known miRNAs to be used by CCR investigators to enable the study of phenotypic effects associated with the over-expression of individual microRNAs. This is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform this requirement. An original and one copy of the capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 11 AM ET September 24, 2008. Faxed and E-mailed capability statements are not authorized. Questions must be submitted in writing to Malinda Holdcraft, Contract Specialist at [email protected] or by fax 301-402-4513. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement 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. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive and award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Please reference solicitation number NCI-80235-NG on all correspondence.

Bid Protests Not Available