SAM #75N98026Q00313

Neuropathology Characterization Services for NIH Brain Atlas Project

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA), is seeking neuropathology characterization services to support the Brain Atlas Project, focusing on research into Alzheimer's disease and healthy brain differences. - Government Buyer: - NIH, National Institute on Aging (NIA), Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias - Located in Bethesda, Maryland - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named in the solicitation - Products/Services Requested: - Neuropathology characterization services for 58 large brain samples - Trimming, cassette printing, and paraffin embedding (16 blocks per sample) - Routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining (16 blocks per sample) - Chromogenic immunostaining on 30 slides per sample using specified antibodies: - Phospho-TDP-42 clone 11-9 - Phospho-Ser129 alpha-synuclein - Beta-amyloid - Phospho-Tau (AT8) - 40x digital slide scanning and image storage for 12 months (minimum 67TB, 3 user accounts) - Pickup and delivery from NIH Bethesda campus - Delivery of processed blocks, slides, scanned images, digital platform access, and a processing report - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Contractor must provide all necessary personnel, materials, equipment, and facilities - Rapid turnaround: deliverables within 5-10 business days after sample receipt - Digital platform must support image storage and access for at least 3 users - Small business set-aside under NAICS code 621511 - All work performed at or delivered to NIH facilities in Bethesda, Maryland

Description

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION (COMPETITIVE)

Title: Neuropathology characterization for the Brain Atlas Project

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N98026Q00313. This solicitation is issued as a competitive combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services. The Government intends to award a contract or purchase order resulting from this solicitation using full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 12.603, Streamlined Solicitation for Commercial Products or Commercial Services, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director, Office of Acquisitions, seeks to award a firm fixed price purchase order to the responsible offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the Government.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (2026-01).

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 621511, and the small business size standard is $41.5 million.

This requirement is set aside for small business

(v) Description of Requirement: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) requires neuropathology services support of the Brain Atlas project which was established in 2022. NIA’s Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias is working to better understand the differences between healthy brains and brains affected by Alzheimer’s disease at the cellular level. Researchers are working to create a human brain atlas or map of different brain cell types based on their gene activity. Researchers can use this atlas to investigate cell types present in brain regions affected in disease. Many different cells in a diseased brain experience change in their gene expression and downstream intracellular activities. The neuropathology analysis will lead to a better understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and the prioritization of potential target genes, pathways, and future therapeutics.

Please refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) for additional information.

(vi) Delivery Location: NIH/NIA 9000 Rockville Pike RM 170 Bethesda, MD 20892 USA

(vii) Period of Performance: June 01, 2026 to May 30, 2027

(viii) The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Add any agency-specific instructions as required.

(ix) The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered.

(b) Evaluation Factors:

Technical Acceptability (Pass/Fail) Required Sample Processing Capabilities Digital Imaging & Data Platform Requirements Schedule & Turnaround Deliverables Compliance Staffing & Key Personnel Facilities and Equipment Price Evaluation - Lowest Price Technically Acceptable – (LPTA)

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, issued within the time specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. The Government reserves the right to accept any offer before the expiration date.

(x) Offerors shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, with their offer.

(xi) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xii) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xiii) Additional contract requirements or terms and conditions, as determined necessary by the Contracting Officer and consistent with customary commercial practices: See Statement of Work (SOW) for additional requirement.

(xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable.

(xv) Submission Requirements: Responses must include sufficient information to demonstrate the offeror’s capability to provide the required product or service. Quotes shall include, at a minimum:

Unit and total price Shipping and handling costs Delivery timeframe after award Delivery terms F.O.B. point (destination or origin) Product or catalog numbers (if applicable) Product/service description

Additional evaluation considerations may include past performance, warranty, lifecycle cost, maintenance availability, and environmental or energy efficiency.

Responses must include the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and business size certification. All offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.

All responses must be received by (insert date and time, EST) and must reference solicitation number (insert number). Responses may be submitted electronically to (insert email address).

(xvi) Point of Contact: Elaine Estrella, Contract Specialist, elaine.estrella@nih.gov and Brian Lind, Contract Officer, brian.lind@nih.gov

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