This is a Small Business Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. 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.
 

Background:
Microbiota constitutes approximately 90% of the total cells in the human body while human cells account for the other 10%. Recent developments in sequencing technology has begun to reveal the importance of microbial communities for health trajectories in humans. While several studies have explored the relationship between bacterial communities and aging, changes in the microbiome community with age has yet to be fully explored. The aim of this proposal is to conduct a pilot study to identify microbiome communities (bacteria, archaea, eukaryote and virus) in the gut (fecal) and examine their association with age and describe any differences in changes of microbiome communities over time and how these changes relate to age-related phenotypes, primarily cognitive function.

Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of this requirement is to perform whole genome shallow shotgun sequencing on fecal samples collected from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) to examine the microbiome changes that occur with age and explore whether these changes in the microbiota can explain occurrence of age-related pathologies such as cognitive impairment.

Project requirements:
The Contractor shall perform whole genome shallow shotgun sequencing on 683 human fecal samples from the BLSA cohort and perform taxonomical and functional profiling of the microbiome species (bacteria, archaea, eukaryote and virus) identified in the gut. This includes, DNA extraction, cDNA preparation, sequencing, quality control, sequence alignments and generation of microbiome species level taxonomical and functional counts.

Anticipated period of performance:
It is anticipated that a contract with a 12-month period of performance will be awarded.

Other important considerations:
The Government is expected to use procedures in FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items.

Capability statement /information sought:
Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the services specified in this notice. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. Finally, respondents are also encouraged to provide a general overview of the respondent's opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement, and any other information regarding innovative ideas or concepts.

Information Submission Instructions:
Respondents should provide responses accordingly: (1) submit information electronically via email. No telephone, hard copy, or facsimile responses will be accepted; (2) format capability statements using Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF including attachments, resumes, charts, etc. Use single space, 12 point font minimum and 8 1/2 x 11 page size; (3) organize material in such a manner that clearly identifies and addresses capability requirements and provide an executive summary; (4) capability statement should not exceed ten (10) single sided pages including references; (6) responses should be received no later than February 15, 2019 at 4:00 PM EDT; (7) include respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, Including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses; and (8) send responses to this notice via email to [email protected].

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, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

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(s).

Bid Protests Not Available