The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), Genetic Epidemiology Branch (GED) plans to procure on a sole basis with Harvard Medical School of Harvard University; 181 Longwood Ave.; Boston, Massachusetts 02115 for laboratory services to perform average telomere length assay testing for pancreatic cancer cases and controls enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) study. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1 (b) (1). The North American Industry Classification System Code is 541711 and the business size standard is 500 employees. The purpose of this procurement is to determine telomere length by high through-put Q-PCR in 180 pancreatic cancer cases and 360 controls and an additional 5 to 10% blinded quality control samples (27-54 samples). The contractor shall analyze average telomere length in up to 180 samples in triplicate using a Q-PCR assay (e.g. total 1782 analyses); provide a plan for determining if the replicate values in agreement and for repeat duplicated, as needed (allow 5% sample replenishment). Telomeres are structures at the end of chromosomes that are critical in maintaining the integrity of the genome by protecting against chromosomal break-fusion cycles in the dividing cells. Recent studies have shown the peripheral blood cell (PBC) DNA telomere length in normal somatic cells of health individuals may be predicative marker for disease, including heart disease, insulin resistance, and cancer. Until recently, telomere length measurement in large epidemiologic studies has been limited because the standard method (Southern Blotting) requires significant quantities of DNA and a substantial time investment. Telomere length measurements by real-time kinetic quantities PCR (Q-PCR) are advantageous because they are high-throughput and use a small amount of DNA, making studies of telomere length as a cancer risk factor possible in large studies. Harvard Medical School of Harvard University and the lab or Dr. Immaculata DeVivo is the only known laboratory to the NCI that currently has an operating telomere assay that is capable of measuring average telomere length in DNA using limited amounts of DNA and with the high-throughput to analyze the needed number of samples. The other techniques available (Southern blot, FISH) require large amounts of DNA that are not available within these studies and lack high-throughput capabilities rendering these techniques unsuitable for the proposed studies. This is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the researcher to determine if the party can meet this requirement. One (1) original and one (1) copy of the capability statement must be received in the contracting office by 11:00 a.m. ET on August 29, 2008. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed to 301-402-4513 or sent via email to Malinda Holdcraft: [email protected]. It is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure questions have been received. 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 an award, contractor must have valid, updated registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Please reference NCI-80181-NG on all correspondence.

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