The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified concerns including 8(a), HUBZone or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned businesses that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. 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 requirement is assigned North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 with a size standard of $14.0 M is being considered.

As a result of this Sources Sought Notice, the NCI may issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NCI's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

NCI/CCR/LMB, is working on a second generation immunotoxin against CD22 and requires a monoclonal antibody against a new epeitope of CD22 for the backbone of the new immunotoxin. The antibodies will be used to make immunotoxins with very high affinity in order to understand the relationship between affinity and tumor response.

Contractor Requirements are:

Contractor shall generate up to 9 hybridoma subclones from as many as 3 parent hybridoma cell lines chose by NCI/LMB.

Phase I: Rabbit Polyclonal Antibody Service
- Immunization of four (2) rabbits using standard immunization of five (5) injections and two (2) test bleeds per rabbit.
- Monitor antiserum titer using standard ELISA
- Monitor antiserum titer using cell ELISA
- Discuss titer results with NCI to select rabbit for splenectomy
- Final IV and splenectomy (Final IV must be scheduled within 4-8 weeks of last regular injection boost).

Phase IIa: Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Service
- Isolate all the lymphocytes from one rabbit spleen.
- Store all remaining lymphocytes in liquid nitrogen for up to three (3) months after the termination of the project.

Phase IIb: Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Service
- Perform hybridoma fusion of 80 x 96-well plates.
- Perform standard ELISA screening of 80 x 96-well plates.
- Expand all positive hybridomas to 24-well plates and perform confirming standard ELISA and cell ELISA assay.
- Epitope binning with ForteBio system on confirmed supernatant from above on up to 30 supernatants.
- Affinity binding with ForteBio system on confirmed supernatant from above on up to 20 supernatants.
- Transfer and deliver all standard ELISA positive multi-clone supernatants (1 ml each) for a two week screening by NCI.

Phase IIIa: Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Service
- Subclone up to 3 hybridomas chosen by NCI.
- For each hybridoma chosen, deliver supernatants (1 ml each) from 10 subclones for a two week screening by NCI.
Phase IIIb: Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Service
- Expand up to three (3) final hybridoma subclones from each parental clone as frozen cells.
The period of performance shall be for eight (8) months.

How to Submit a Response:

1. Page Limitations:

Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement not to exceed 10 single sided pages including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc. (single spaced, 12 point font minimum) that clearly details the ability to perform the requirements of the notice described above. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Responses should include a minimum of a one page resume of the individuals meeting the requirements, and up to two pages demonstrating experience over the past two years meeting the requirements of this notice. Statements should also include an indication of current certified small business status; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of your capability statement (preferable placed under the eligible small business concern's name and address). Responses will be reviewed only by NIH personnel and will be held in a confidential manner.

2. Due Date:

Capability statements are due no later than 11:00 AM EST on November 19, 2013.

3. Delivery Point:

All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the unique specifications described herein. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed to (240) 276-5401 or emailed to Reyes Rodriguez at [email protected]. A determination by the Government not to compete this 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. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference number
SBSS-N02RC45001-57 on all correspondence.

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, an RFQ may be published in eBuy. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation(s).

Point of Contact:
Inquiries concerning this Notice may be direct to:
Reyes Rodriguez
9609 Medical Center Dr, Room 1E128
Bethesda, MD 20892-9705
[email protected].

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.