Introduction
This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources, including small and small disadvantaged businesses, to perform a potential R&D service requirement.
Background
As part of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) Non-Human Primate (NHP) Program has played an active role in vaccine and therapeutic development for infectious diseases including global killers such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and tuberculosis, emerging and re-emerging health threats such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus, Zika virus, chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, and Coronaviruses such as COVID-19 and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV); and “deliberately emerging” threats from potential agents of bioterrorism such as smallpox virus.
Since 2001, the VRC Non-Human Primate (NHP) Program has utilized a series of contracts, consistently advancing the VRC's mission to develop medical countermeasures. The program operates with VRC government-owned NHPs housed at a contractor-operated, AAALAC-accredited facility capable of accommodating over 600 NHPs, which supports ABSL2 and ABSL3 research protocols. This contract includes comprehensive colony management, health monitoring, and the provision of skilled personnel, including scientific staff, to facilitate critical research efforts. The program supports a broad spectrum of research activities, including specimen collection, testing, and regulatory support, as well as study coordination.
The incumbent contract #75N93019C00069, with Bioqual, Inc., was selected through a competitive negotiated acquisition, effective from September 2019 through September 2026.
Purpose and objectives:
The purpose of this Animal Care and Laboratory Support Services to the Vaccine Research Center Sources Sought Notice is to discern whether or not there are contractors, including small or small disadvantaged businesses, capable of and interested in performing the work described herein. The NIAID does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses received, nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.
As a result of this Sources Sought Notice, NIAID may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) if it deemed necessary and appropriate. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NIAID shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NIAID’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications of any subsequent requirement.
Project requirements:
The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel, materials, equipment, and facilities for the housing and care of NHPs to support VRC investigators and collaborators developing vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases. The project requirements include comprehensive housing, care, and technical support for Non-Human Primates (NHPs) essential to vaccine and therapeutic development. The Contractor will be required to deliver all necessary services, qualified personnel, materials, equipment, and facilities, including those capable of handling up to 500 NHPs annually. Key technical requirements include providing Biosafety Level-2 (BSL-2) and Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) animal holding facilities, with specialized capabilities such as a dedicated Tuberculosis (TB) suite equipped with GFE PET/CT scanning for ABSL-3 level studies. The Contractor must ensure strict adherence to NIH and federal animal care and biosafety standards. Deliverables include regular reports on animal care, veterinary services, and technical procedures, as well as detailed records of all activities conducted under the contract. Of particular importance is the maintenance of a secure and compliant environment, ensuring the humane treatment of NHPs, and the capability to support long-term and high-containment infectious disease studies.
The mandatory qualification criteria for potential contractors shall include the measurement of travel time (<60 minutes in standard conditions) from the contractor's facility to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Vaccine Research Center (VRC) located in Building 40 on the Bethesda, MD campus. Travel time expectations can be established using a Google Maps route, with the estimated time clearly indicated under normal traffic conditions (mid-day).
Period of Performance:
It is anticipated that a cost reimbursement, term/level of effort, type of contract will be awarded.
The anticipated period of performance for this contract is a one-year base period, with the potential for six (6) additional one-year options for extension. If all options are exercised, the total period of performance would extend to seven (7) years. The Base Period is from 09/27/2026 to 09/26/2027 with 6 Annual Term Options for a total possible period of 7 years. The acquisition includes Quantity Options to account for unanticipated increase need in the Level of Effort.
Options 7-48 allow for increased effort to address unexpected demand, with each option adding 0.50 FTE to support 50 additional NHPs or projects, exercisable up to six times annually during the corresponding contract term. The contract also includes provisions for initial (Option 49) and final (Option 50) transitions, covering costs and activities for a secure handover of materials and staff, with specific timelines for each transition phase.
Other important considerations:
Work under this contract shall be in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines in order to maintain accreditation by the Association for Assessment and accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALACI).
Capability statement/information sought:
Capability statements submitted as a result of this announcement should demonstrate the offeror's qualification, expertise and experience, specifically providing evidence as to the capability to immediately perform this requirement. Capability statements should clearly convey information regarding the respondent's capabilities.
Interested Contractors must submit a capability statement (five page limitation, excluding resumes) describing their company's experience and ability to immediately perform this effort, which includes the following:
(1) a summary list of similar work previously performed; examples of prior completed similar Government contracts, references, and other related information to the work to be performed
(2) the professional qualifications and specific experience of staff who may be assigned to the requirement; corporate experience and management capability to deliver comprehensive services of this scope and magnitude
(3) the professional qualifications and specific experience of staff who may be assigned to the requirement; resumes for proposed key personnel, including the Principal Investigator/co-Pl, which reflect education, and previous work relevant to the proposed requirement; staff expertise, including their availability, experience and formal and other training
(4) current in- house capability and/or capacity to perform the work, a general description of the facilities, and other resources needed to perform the work demonstrated ability to carry out the work
Capability Statements must not include links to internet web site addresses (URLs) or otherwise direct readers to alternate sources of information. Font size must be 10 to 12 points. Spacing must be no more than 15 characters per inch. Within a vertical inch, there must be no more than six lines of text. Print margins must be at least one-inch on each edge of the paper.
Each response should include the following Business Information:
1. 1. UEI number
2. Company Name
3. Company Address
4. Company Points of Contact (both technical and administrative), including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers and Email addresses
5. Current GSA Schedule appropriate to this Sources Sought if applicable
6. Do you have a Government-approved accounting system? If so, please identify the agency that approved the system.
7. Type of Company (i.e., large business, non-profit, educational institute, small business, 8(a), woman owned, veteran owned, etc.), as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must be registered in the SAM, located at http://www.sam.gov/
Responses must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM (E.S.T.), October 30, 2024. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date. These statements should be submitted electronically (via email) to Kim Brookens, Contracting Officer, at kim.brookens@nih.gov and Caitlyn O’Connor, Contracting Specialist at caitlyn.o’connor@nih.gov. These statements should be submitted in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF); however, capability statements in Microsoft Word will also be accepted. The e-mail subject line must specify HHS-NIH-NIAID-75N93025R00001. Facsimile responses will not be accepted.
Common Cut-off Date:
Electronically submitted, tailored capability statements are due not later than 3:00 PM (E.S.T.), on October 30, 2024. CAPABILITY STATEMENTS WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE.
