Immunization of Alpacas with HIV-1 Env Trimers to Develop Broadly Neutralizing Nanobodies Targeting CD4 Binding Site

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for competitive quotation.  The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Capralogics Inc. for an animal study to compare the efficiency of two immunization protocols in Alpacas. These studies began in 2007, and this procurement is to continue the protocol testing services.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541380 - Laboratories and Services.; the business standard is $19,000,00 Product Service Code (PSC) Q301 Medical laboratory Testing.

The testing services will include:

• Providing the Animals with guarantee of only our contract use.
• Animal maintenance (i.e., housing, cleaning, feed, veterinary care)
• Performing the immunizations per protocol
• Performing blood screening throughout the service at specific times
• Collection, Isolation, storage, and shipping ability of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC’s) at specified quantities, both internationally and domestically.
• Must have all required licenses/certifications:
  • USDA licensed.
  • Must be an approved NIH research facility and provide the Animal Assurance Identification number.
  • Must be approved under EC Regulation 1069/2009 (European Parliament) as an Approved Blood Collection Facility with approvals to export untreated animal serums and plasma.

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes a copy of all the required certifications listed above, and in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to provide the required services. Capability statements shall not exceed 3 (8.5” x 11”) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-23-2182229) to Laura Grey at laura.grey@nih.gov, by 1:00 pm eastern standard time Thursday, August 17th, 2023.