Request for Proposals (RFP) Notice: Quantification of Drugs of Abuse and Related Substances in Biological Specimens

Notice Number: NOT-DA-13-036

Key Dates
Release Date: August 8, 2013

Issued by
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Purpose

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intends to solicit proposals from offerors having the capability to identify and quantify drugs and their metabolites in biological fluids and tissues such as plasma/serum, urine, sweat, saliva, hair and brain and other tissues.

These drugs may include cannabinoids, opiates, amphetamines, l alpha acetyl methadol (LAAM), naltrexone, methadone, cocaine, phencyclidine, anabolic steroids, opioid peptides and peptidomimetics, benzodiazepines, and other drugs and their metabolites. The concentrations of such drugs and metabolites usually appear in biological materials at ng/g or ng/ml levels and therefore require the use of state-of-the-art chromatography methods for separation and highly sensitive instrumentations for identification and quantification, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS).

The successful offeror must be able to perform the tasks listed below:

1. Quantify a variety of drugs of abuse and other chemical substances and/or their metabolites in biological fluids such as plasma, urine, saliva, sweat and various tissues specimens upon NIDA authorization (specimen for analysis will be provided by research investigators);

2. Routinely research and modify existing methods to improve specificity and sensitivity for analyzing drugs and their metabolites (at least two per year);

3. Develop and validate new assays for existing and new compounds (at least one compound per year) upon NIDA authorization; and

4. Develop analytical methods that shall provide sensitivity and specificity for pharmacokinetic studies, usually in ng/ml, or ng/g range. For example, for analysis of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in urine and serum, sensitivity of 0.10 ng is required.

NIDA may substitute analyses of 150 samples with analytical method development for one drug or compound. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide relevant literature, data search, and information to NIDA as and when needed.

In order to handle substances under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, it is mandatory that the successful offeror possess a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Registration for Chemical Analysis or Research for Schedules II to V controlled substances and demonstrate the capability to obtain a DEA Chemical Analysis or Research registration for Schedule I controlled substances.

NIDA anticipates the award of one cost-reimbursement, level of effort-type contract for a base period of one year with four one-year options to extend performance. RFP No. N01DA-14-7788 will be available electronically on or about August 16, 2013. You will be able to access the RFP through FedBizOpps (URL: http://www.fedbizopps.gov or through the NIDA website at the following URL: http://www.drugabuse.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/nida-requests-contract-proposals-rfps). All information required for the submission of an offer will be contained in or accessible through the RFP package. Responses to the RFP will be due on or about 45 days after release of the RFP. NIDA will consider proposals submitted by any responsible offeror.

Based upon market research, the Government is not using the policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for the described supplies or services. However, interested persons may identify to the Contracting Officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government's requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.

This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Andrew Hotaling
Contract Specialist
Telephone: 301-443-6677
Fax: 301-443-7595
Email: hotalingar@mail.nih.gov