Notice of Intent to Sole Source to Celoptics, Inc

INTRODUCTION This is a pre-solicitation / notice of intent synopsis for a sole source noncompetitive (including brand-name) award to Celoptics, Inc. for services. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA) on behalf of the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), intends to modify an existing purchase order on a sole source noncompetitive basis for long-term, time-lapse optical imaging of live cells to Celoptics, Inc, 275 Congressional Lane, Rockville, MD 20852. BACKGROUND The Trans-NIH Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science (BEPS) Shared Resource, NIBIB provides specialized methods and instrumentation to intramural researchers. BEPS has an urgent need to provide specialized, unique expertise in studies long-term time-lapse microscopy of live cells and methods, relating to research on cancer and blast-induced trauma, that only Celoptics can provide via patented technology. This extension is required to continue the availability of Celoptics' specialized time-lapse microscopy to evaluate the migration and proliferation of brain and breast cancer cells, and to improve understanding of the brain's response to blast-induced injuries (and, thereby, to try to find drug treatments that facilitate healing). This is a modification to Purchase Order HHSN268201200294P awarded to Celoptics, completed during 5 months entirely within FY13. The total dollar amount obligated for the completed project was $50,000. That initial award was an approved sole source contract. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this task will be from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, extending the contract to 21 months. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The contractor shall supply all labor, materials, facilities, equipment, and supplies to perform unique expertise in long-term time-lapse microscopy to evaluate the migration and proliferation of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells and breast cancer cells in response to the relevant human tissue factors and to measure the effects of local niches on such tumor cells. Requirements include: 1. To use long-term time-lapse optical microscopy to evaluate the migration and proliferation of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells and breast cancer cells in response to the relevant human tissue factors and to measure the effects of local niches on such tumor cells 2. To apply a method by which neuronal tissue can be exposed to blast waveforms while under simultaneous microscopic observation over days to weeks. 3. To conduct experiments to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) using both human GBM dissociate cultures and human brain organotypic cultures with GBM cells from human surgical specimens. Required methods: a. continuous live cell microscopy and cellular calcium imaging using differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC) b. epifluorescence micrsocopy c. confocal microscopy. d. obtaining and growing primary neuronal cells in culture from human surgical specimens. 4. To analyze data collected in the experiments, above, and to produce detailed written reports of findings. 5. 1920 hours of support, as described above. 6. Work must begin within one week of the awarding of the contract. JUSTIFICATION The sole-single source (including brand-name) justification is as follows: The studies of the mechanisms of traumatic brain injury require a method whereby neuronal tissue in culture can be exposed to blast waveforms while under simultaneous and long term microscopic real time imaging. Celoptics is the only company that offers a method to do this (Ravin R., et al. Device for Simulating Explosive Blast and Imaging Biological Specimen. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/590,209 January 24, 2012). This proprietary technology is a pneumatic device that mimics the physical properties of a blast shockwave known to induce traumatic brain injury, which has the essential feature of being compatible with concurrent real-time imaging of the affected tissues in an optical microscope. Moreover, Dr. Rea Ravin, founder of Celoptics, Inc. and inventor of the device, has unique, extensive experience in its application, as well as unique technical expertise to modify the system as might be needed for our experiments. Celoptics is expert in all of the required imaging and experimental methods, including long-term, real-time, live cell imaging and analysis, cell and tissue culture, and measuring and interpreting calcium signaling, dynamics, and homeostasis in both isolated neuronal cells and tissue. Moreover, Celoptics has unique experience in developing techniques related to live cell imaging (Ravin et al, U.S. patent 7091035; Ravin et al, U.S. patent 7276367; Ravin et al, U.S. patent app 11864765), and Dr. Ravin, has published original research in the required area (see for example Ravin et al, Cell Stem Cell, 6, 670-680, 2008). Celoptics is uniquely qualified to fulfill the requirements of this contract, because of its unique (and successful) support of similar projects with another IC, involving tissue culture methodologies, live cell microscopy and analysis of primary human neuronal cells and human organotypic brain slice cultures, including application of the company's proprietary imaging system for real time optical imaging of blast induce traumatic brain, and imaging and analysis of calcium changes in cells infected with malarial parasites. The current studies will extend and refine prior studies that used the proprietary pneumatic Celoptics technology. This proprietary Celoptics technology remains the only method whereby neuronal tissue in culture can be exposed to blast waveforms while under simultaneous and long term microscopic real time imaging, and thus we will require continued use of it in the current study. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) as set forth in FAR Part 13.106-1 (b) (1), Soliciting from a single source not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541711 and the Size Standard is 500 Employees. The determination by the Government to award a purchase order on a sole source noncompetitive basis for Services to Celoptics, Inc., 275 Congressional Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, is based upon the market research conducted in accordance with one or more of the techniques specified in FAR Part 10-Market Research, Subpart 10.002(b)(2). All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, in writing, no later than June 19, 2013 at 4:00 pm EST. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement. All responses must reference this pre-solicitation / notice of Intent number NHLBI-CSB-(EB)-2013-154-JES and may be submitted electronically to Jennifer Swift, Contract Specialist at [email protected].