Seeking Sources: Veterans Health Administration, Network Contracting Office 5, is issuing this request for information/sources sought notice in order to identify companies that have the resources and capabilities to evaluate the toxicology of PFAS compounds, including experience in developing toxicity-based benchmarks, risk assessment, and the creation and refinement of physiologically-based toxicokinetic models. Description of Work: Contractor will conduct an extensive review of various data streams, including toxicological, epidemiological, and environmental information. This review will be integral to developing robust serum concentration models for PFAS compounds, delineating their relationship to potential adverse health effects in the veteran population. Contractor's responsibilities encompass expert peer review of hazard assessments, identification and refinement of serum/blood points of departure (PODs) for each toxic endpoint where sufficient evidence of an adverse effect exists, and the employment of advanced PBPK modeling to predict serum/blood concentrations at these PODs. In scenarios where data is insufficient for PBPK modeling, the contractor is expected to use contemporary, scientifically-defensible extrapolation methods to estimate serum/blood concentrations, aligning these findings with available human evidence from hazard assessments. Technical Qualifications: Contractor must have a documented track record in evaluating the toxicology of PFAS compounds, including experience in developing toxicity-based benchmarks, risk assessment, and the creation and refinement of physiologically-based toxicokinetic models. Key Personnel (i.e., subject matter expert) must have MS or equivalent in Toxicology or related field and at least 10 years of relevant work experience (PhD and 5 years of experience highly desired). Possesses excellent background in area of expertise. Performs tasks that involve digesting and summarizing research papers or analytical reports, conducting technically focused literature and internet searches. Demonstrated knowledge of the assessment of the effects of complex mixtures on human health as it relates to environmental and human health risk assessment, such as those conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency/National Toxicology Program, is required. Interested & Capable Responses: NCO 5 is seeking responses from companies that are interested in this procurement and consider themselves to have the resources and capabilities necessary to provide these services. Please respond with your: 1. Business name, business type, socio-economic status (e.g., Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), etc.), and person of contact (including telephone number & email address). 2. Capability statement and summary of previous experience evaluating the toxicology of PFAS compounds, including experience in developing toxicity-based benchmarks, risk assessment, and the creation and refinement of physiologically-based toxicokinetic models for the Veterans Health Administration or other Federal agencies. 3. Ballpark cost estimate of what the VAMC could expect to pay your company to perform the work described above for 1 year. Responses must be submitted by 11:00 AM September 27, 2024. Responses to the information requested above must be submitted via email to james.whisner@va.gov. This request for information/sources sought notice is for planning purposes ONLY. The results of this market research will assist in the development of (1) the requirement, and (2) the acquisition strategy (e.g., small business set-aside, full and open competition, etc.). VA assumes no responsibility for any costs incurred associated with the preparation of responses submitted as a result of this notice.
