AJ12 - Development of Rapid Behavioral and Cellular Screening of Neurotoxic Agents

This is a SYNOPSIS for non-commercial items prepared in accordance with the information in FAR Part 13. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), as supplemented with the additional information included in this notice. The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Contracting Department, Pentagon Directorate intends to solicit on behalf of the Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio (NAMRU-SA), University of North Texas (CAGE: 6B783) on a sole source basis using simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The proposed acquisition will result in a firm-fixed-price (FFP) purchase order with an eight-month performance period (03 June 2024 through 02 February 2025). The requirement details are as follows: NAMRU-SA has a requirement for the University of North Texas to continue their research on Development of Rapid Behavioral and Cellular Screening of Neurotoxic Agents which began under a grant awarded in response to a grant announcement posted on eBRAP (electronic BioMedical Research Application Portal). The title of the announcement was Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Defense Health Program (DHP) Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP) Joint Program Committee-5 (JPC-5), Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-23-MOMRP-D, Topic: Neurosensory Protection and Treatment. The service required is to provide a novel high-through put behavioral screening method for military-relevant neurotoxic agents using the tractable zebrafish. The sole source rationale is as follows: The University of North Texas research approach to developing rapid behavioral and cellular screening of neurotoxic agents is proprietary to them. It was their idea (and submission under the grant announcement) to use zebrafish, a more cost-effective method, for the research as opposed to the traditional approach of using mice. The University of North Texas has the unique combination of equipment, facilities, staff experts, and personnel to complete the assays and analysis required for this effort. The experts employed by the University of North Texas, including Dr. Warren Burggren, are leading experts in the field of zebrafish behavior, and are renowned for their research on behavior and performance in aquatic species. University of North Texas possesses a zebrafish facility (1,200 sq. ft., fully environmentally controlled) containing approximately 2,000 tanks to allow for high-through-put behavioral screening. These labs also have the capacity to house up to 150-200 zebrafish, minimizing discrepancies between housing conditions and testing conditions. These facilities are equipped with flow-through systems with several experienced personnel caring for fish daily. Multiple webcams are available in these facilities to record several behavioral tests at the same times with multiple arenas each. This capability greatly increases the University of North Texas ability to conduct high-throughput behavioral screening, testing up to eighty (80) fish per day in up to two (2) behavioral tests. Personnel at the University North Texas have experience transferring videos taken to analyze in Noldus Ethovision software. Specific behavioral test arenas include: Light/Dark Preference Test, Open Field Test, Novel Tank Diving Test, Sociability Test, and Boldness Test. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code for the proposed acquisition is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)), which has a small business size standard of 1000 (number of employees). The resultant solicitation will be issued on a sole source basis. It is anticipated that the resultant solicitation will be posted on/around 17 May 2024. Interested parties are solely responsible for monitoring of the following websites for the posting of the solicitation and any amendments thereto: - System for Award Management (SAM) - https://www.sam.gov/ - Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO) - http://www.neco.navy.mil/ Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based on responses received as a result of this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will neither award a contract action nor pay for information in response to this notice. Please direct all questions, regarding this pre-solicitation synopsis, to Ms. Toni Cristinzio via email at toni.cristinzio.civ@us.navy.mil.