A--Tissue Samples for R&D Pittsburgh

Notice of Intent to Sole Source - The University of Pittsburgh Health Science Tissue Bank (HSTB). Plan Number: VA244-15-R-0440 On behalf of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4 intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-5), Authorized or Required by Statute and 38 U.S.C. 8153(a)(3)(A). The VA intends to award a sole-source, fixed priced contract to the University of Pittsburgh Health Science Tissue Bank (HSTB), which the VAPHS has an Affiliate Agreement with, for the purchase of human tissue samples with de-identified data to support a VA Merit Review Grant. A Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition has been approved. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation, but instead a notification of the Governments intent to purchase the tissue samples from the University of Pittsburgh Health Science Tissue Bank (HSTB). The University of Pittsburgh HSTB will provide the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System with dry-frozen-stored 60 primary cancer tissues and paired 60 normal-lung tissues obtained from lung cancer patients with IA-IIB stage of non-small-cell lung cancer, in one to two months. These tissues must have been collected at the time of initial diagnosis and treatment, 5-6 years before their delivery. The tissues have to be well defined by a surgeon and a pathologist, not necrotic, not contaminated by other tissues, well preserved and delivered to the VA laboratory on dry ice, in the frozen state, and in a biohazard-safety container. All the tissues should be provided in two months, at once or in two to three fractions during 10 days. The tissues samples must be delivered within 90 days of award. The de-identified data will be provided within one year of tissue sample delivery, at the request of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Only responsible sources that believe they are capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement, proposal, and quotation which the agency may consider for purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The VA will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. All responses to this synopsis must be in writing and shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Submitted documentation will not be returned. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System For Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning SAM registration requirements may be viewed via the Internet at www.sam.gov . If no affirmative responses are received within 3 business days, in accordance with FAR 13-106-1(b) (1), the sole source process will continue without any additional notices being posted. Responses to this notice are due on or before 3/12/2015, 1:00 PM EST by email to [email protected] .