What this opportunity is
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a contractor to provide large-scale DNA extraction and quantification services for the REGARDS project, which involves genotyping over 12,000 samples to study stroke prevalence. This opportunity is suitable for small businesses with expertise in laboratory services, particularly those familiar with DNA extraction protocols and inventory management. As this is a Special Notice, interested parties should track the opportunity for updates rather than submit bids at this stage.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
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STATEMENT OF WORK
GENERAL INFORMATION
Title of Project:
Reasons for Geographic and Racial Difference in Stroke (REGARDS)
Statement of Need and Purpose:
Large-scale DNA extraction capabilities are required for the Center for Alzheimer’s and Related
Dementias (CARD) to execute genotyping of over 12,000 samples from the REGARDS project.
Background Information and Objective:
The Government has identified REGARDS, which is a national cohort study that enrolled 30,239
Black and White adults across the continental US in 2003-2007 to understand stroke prevalence
in the United States. The University of Vermont Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research
designed and led conduct of biosample collection, contains the biosample repository, and is the
REGARDS central analysis laboratory. The Government intends to perform a genome-wide
association study (GWAS) to better understand the genetic basis underlying stroke prevalence
in the United States. Data from these studies will be made available through the Alzheimer’s
Disease Work Bench (ADWB).
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Period of Performance:
July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029
SCOPE OF WORK
General Requirements:
Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the
necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise
provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work below.
Specific Requirements:
The Contractor shall complete DNA extraction following the protocol from the Qiagen Puregene
DNA Purification Kit. The Contractor shall complete selection of the 12,000 samples to be
extracted and evaluation of frozen packed cell sample availability in the REGARDS repository,
followed by sample pull from the repository in batches. Additionally, the Contractor shall execute
manual DNA extraction using Qiagen reagents. The Contractor shall also complete DNA
quantification by PICO green. The Contractor shall be responsible for creation of cryovials of
DNA for REGARDS repository, creation of tracking inventory for these DNA samples, and
preparation of 1 ug or more DNA per sample at a concentration of 50 ng/uL or greater and
shipment to CARD facilities.
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LEVEL OF EFFORT:
The Contractor shall provide expertise and execute the extraction, quantification, storage,
shipping, handling, and plating of DNA samples.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Government will provide resources for genotyping data, data access to harmonized data
within CARD, and data science resources.
DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES
The Contractor shall provide extracted DNA samples to CARD after extraction has been
completed. The Contractor shall also provide the DNA quantification results to the Government
and identify any samples for which extraction failed.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor shall provide a progress report quarterly during the contract period through
email. The progress report shall include the number of samples that have had DNA extracted
and timelines for when future samples are expected to be extracted. This report shall also
include a description of any problems encountered and whether these issues were resolved.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Travel:
The principal place of performance is the Contractor’s work site. Travel for contractor
employees will not be necessary.
Key Personnel:
Contractor will provide a dedicated project manager to the Government as a point of contact for
the services.
Information System Security Plan:
Not Applicable
Data Rights:
Not Applicable
Section 508—Electronic and Information Technology Standards:
The contractor shall comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d), as
amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220), August 7, 1998.
Publications and Publicity:
Not Applicable
Confidentiality of Information:
Not Applicable
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Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.