A--Intent to Sole Source Notice for Research will provide the research of colorectal tumor progression, metatasis, and drug resistance in vitro and vivo in order to determine gene expression and plasmid construction.

This Notice of Intent to Sole Source is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitations documents are available. Under Statutory Authority 41 U.S.C. 253(g), the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Network Contracting Office 7, intends to procure services for Colon Tumor progression, metastasis and drug resistance in vitro and in vivo to determine the gene expression and plasmid construction research under a firm fixed contract with University of Alabama at Birmingham., 1900 University Blvd Room 405, Birmingham, AL 35294 on another than full and open completion basis. Funding does not exceed $1 Million. The contract is expected to be awarded under FAR 6.302-1. A justification and Approval for Limited Sources Justification will be prepared. Use of genomic core facility includes the following: Sequencing plasmids and constructs required for the specific aims: Aim 1: Serine Threonine Receptor Associated Protein (STRAP) is significantly upregulated in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) including metastases, and its upregulation in CRC patients contributes to worse survival with chemotherapy. Determine through cell culture and mouse experiments how STRAP contributes to human colorectal cancer metastasis. Aim 2: One of the important challenges in current colorectal cancer treatments is the presence of cancer stem-like cells (very aggressive cells), which have roles in drug resistance, tumor relapse and metastasis. This aim will determine using molecular biology experiments the role of STRAP in the maintenance and self-renewal of colon cancer stem-like cells. Aim 3: Recent studies have demonstrated that a small fraction of the stem-like cells in tumor plays an important role in metastasis and in chemotherapy resistance. We will determine the function of STRAP in regulating chemoresistance of colorectal cancer using molecular biology experiments. Oligos and primers will be used for sequencing, Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR), and Quaantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reactions (qRT-PCR). Quantitative RT-PCR will be used to test the expression of genes. 4. Performance Period: 9/30/2018/ - 09/29/2019 This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. Contract is firm fixed price and the NAICS Code is 541380. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All responsible sources may submit an offer; however, only services meeting the Department of Veterans Affairs requirements will be considered for award. The Department of Veterans Affairs will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered and must be received no later than 05 July 2018. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine that a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning SAM registered requirements may be viewed via the Internet at SAM.GOV or by calling the SAM Registration Center at 1-877-332-8277. Interested parties are encouraged to furnish information. All documents submitted will not be returned. All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to Contract Specialist by email at [email protected]. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor s capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements.