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THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS

This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.101(a)(1) requiring the dissemination of information regarding proposed contract actions. This is a Notice of Intent to award a sole source, time and materials purchase order under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and 13.501(a) - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Service Will Satisfy Agency Requirements and is not a request for competitive quotes.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of Intramural Research (DIR) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Taconic Biosciences, Inc, at 273 Hoover Ave, Germantown, NY 12526-5320, United States. This acquisition is for the Operation and Maintenance of a Murine Pathogen-Free (MPF) Mouse Breeding Facility. The order will consist of a one 12-month base period and two 6-month option periods.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has numerous colonies of congenic, transgenic, and knockout mice that are not available from commercial sources. The animals (live and/or cryo-preserved) are maintained in National Institutes of Health (NIH) facilities or the NIAID-Taconic mouse repository. The NIAID repository provides mice for the purposes of intramural NIAID scientists.

The congenic, transgenic, and knockout mice bred and maintained in the NIAID mouse repository are used by multiple investigators in the institute for projects ranging from infectious disease research to cellular immunology. The NIAID repository provides a source of animals from a professional breeder who has the skills to carry out complex genetic breeding schemes required for the development of these lines for research purposes. The NIAID and the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) requires an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accredited source that can provide all necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities for the operation maintenance of a murine pathogen-free mouse breeding facility.

Taconic Biosciences has maintained the NIAID mouse repository contract since 2000.

The purpose of this acquisition is to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with the incumbent contractor, Taconic Biosciences, to continue services to operate and maintain the mice breeding facility and colonies until the subsequent contract is awarded and transition activities, if applicable, are complete.

Specifically, the Contractor will be responsible for continued mouse breeding support of NIAID by providing the following services:

1. Mouse Breeding
   
   
   
   1. Provide a Project Manager and staff experienced in breeding mice
   
   
   2. Maintain up to 3400 cages of inbred, congenic, transgenic, and DNA-mediated gene targeted mutant mice and their offspring
   
   
   3. Perform laboratory procedures involved in taking samples of tissues required for genetic typing of the animals.
   
   
   4. Positively identify animals entering and born in the facility using a reliable tracking system
   
   
   
   


2. Mouse Care
   
   
   
   1. House are re-derived mice in a facility that achieves a minimum double barrier design
   
   
   2. Provide appropriately sterilized caging material, sterile food, and bedding
   
   
   
   


3. Physical Facilities
   
   
   
   1. Ensure building construction and maintenance are in compliance with Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
   
   
   
   

Period of Performance: The total potential period of performance of this requirement is June 11, 2023 – June 10, 2025 (if all options are exercised), which is inclusive of a one-year base period plus two 6-month option periods.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, which has a size standard of 1250 employees . Taconic Biosciences is not a small business under this NAICS.

This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy this requirement. The Government plans to award a contract for this requirement within 45 days of this notice.

While this synopsis does not constitute a solicitation, interested contractors may identify their interest and capability to satisfy this requirement. The Government understands that Taconic Biosciences is the only contractor which can provide the requested services for NIAID. All responsible sources that can provide the Operation and Maintenance of a Murine Pathogen-Free (MPF) Mouse Breeding Facility should submit a capability statement via email to Gabriel Contreras at Gabriel.Contreras@nih.gov by 5:00pm EDT on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Such documentation shall be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any responses received by NIAID after this date and exact time specified are late and will not be considered.

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for any 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 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.

For additional information or to submit responses, please contact Gabriel Contreras, Contract Specialist, at gabriel.contreras@nih.gov.

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