THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. The purpose of this acquisition is to award a sole source short-term contract to Taconic Biosciences Inc. This award will ensure continuation of mission critical rodent production while the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) procurement team continues acquisition planning for the re-competition of these services under a new cost reimbursement contract. This notice is being published by NIEHS in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.201 and 5.204 requiring notice of a proposed contract action.  This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. The statutory authority for this sole source action is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 – Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

BACKGROUND

The Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP) within the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is an interagency program whose mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by developing and applying tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. The program maintains an objective, science-based approach in dealing with critical issues in toxicology and is committed to using the best science available to prioritize, design, conduct, and interpret its studies.  The evaluation of chemicals and other agents is generally conducted through a sequence of studies, which involve the exposure of laboratory rodents to these agents.  Rats and mice are appropriate models for evaluating the toxicologic and carcinogenic potential of these compounds.  The NTP utilizes the B6C3F1/N hybrid mouse and various other mouse and rat stocks/strains to evaluate this potential.

The current contract, HHSN273201600020C, is a 5-year Cost-reimbursement contract awarded on September 30, 2016 using full and open competition to Taconic Biosciences. The purpose of the proposed requirement is to produce a large number of disease-free, genetically homogeneous, and microbiologically defined mice (specifically the B6C3F1/N mouse) created and maintained specifically for the NIEHS National Toxicology Program (NTP) studies.  The centralized colonies of hybrid mice and rats will have homogeneous genetic properties and defined microbial status according to specifications from the NTP testing program.  The animals are to be produced and maintained in accordance with Government specifications as determined by ongoing research initiatives and are, therefore, not considered a commercially available product. The work performed under the current contract is critical for NIEHS day-to-day operations. NIEHS does not currently have the other resources needed to accomplish these tasks if there were a lapse in contractual services.

This proposed sole source effort will assure uninterrupted access to the support services provided under the current contract, HHSN273201600020C, and enable continuation of vital rodent production of the B6C3F1/N mouse, between the current contract’s end date and the new, competitively awarded Cost-reimbursement contract estimated to be in place on or before March 2023.  The work is described in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

JUSTIFICATION

Acquisition planning for the re-competition of this requirement began in early 2021, engaging all stakeholders to reassess the current contract requirements and determine if adjustments were warranted based on the evolving needs of DNTP and new directives from leadership.  Although every effort was made to remain within the acquisition planning milestones and a solicitation was posted, we were unable to award based on submission results.  This has resulted in unavoidable delays in the progress toward the award of a new contract before the expiration of the current contract on March 31, 2022. The government has determined that additional time is required in order to resolicit for these services and make award.  As a result, the government is unable to issue an award in response to a solicitation in time to avoid a lapse in service and to allow for adequate transition between contracts. 

The criticality of these services means that it is imperative that the Government maintains a seamless continuation of services until the next award can be recompeted. Therefore, the Government has determined that continuing services through a short-term contract to the incumbent contractor is the best method of preventing any lapse in service until a new award can be established.  As the incumbent, Taconic is the only contractor with the facilities, staff, and access to existing NIEHS rodent colonies to successfully perform the required services in a timeframe that meets immediate Government requirements.  It would take an alternative contractor significant time to identify staff, prepare facilities and transition the animal colonies by March 31, 2022. This puts a strain on NIEHS resources, time, and effort that would be expended to manage that transition and to maintain continuity.  Any lapse in services would result in loss of government property, damage to the health and well-being of live animals, and would negatively impact ongoing studies which rely on these animals. 

The Government anticipates the ability to fully solicit competition in the next award among all interested vendors. This sole source contract will provide NIEHS with sufficient time to resolicit for the requirements of the NIEHS and competitively award the new contract while also ensuring performance of required services during the interim.

Any contract action as described herein will be made in accordance with the required documentation and approval through a Sole Source Justification.

RESPONSES
While this notice does not constitute a request for competitive quotes or proposals, interested vendors may identify their interest and capability to satisfy this requirement. The Government understands that Taconic Biosciences is the only contractor that can provide the requested services to NIEHS.  However, firms that believe they can fully meet the Government's requirement may submit a written capabilities statement (NOT TO EXCEED 3 PAGES).  The capabilities statement must contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement and must be received by the response date listed in this posting.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.  NIEHS will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice.

ONLY EMAIL RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED. All questions and correspondence regarding this notice must be made in writing via email to Kristina Filardo at [email protected]