Antibody-Nanoparticle Conjugates

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. This is not a solicitation or request for offers. No solicitation package is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b); circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available, Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) intends to award a sole source, other than commercial product or commercial service, Firm-Fixed-Priced puchase order to The University of Chicago. The intended order is for procurement of services to produce nanoparticle-antibody conjugates by linking a dengue monoclonal antibody to a nanoparticle to inhibit dengue infection and ship to NMRC.

The production shall be within the performance period of six (6) months. The contractor shall deliver the ANC products 4-24 weeks from the receipt of the monoclonal antibody received from the government. There are a variety of Nanoparticles in the market; each has its own chemical or biological composition. Lipid nanoparticles can encapsulate drugs which is a common strategy to deliver drug to infected cells.

However, encapsulating drugs inside the nanoparticles is an additional and technically challenging step compared to nanoparticles possessing anti-viral property. Metal nanoparticles are another class of nanoparticles with anti-viral nature; however, most reports on metal nanoparticles were at in vitro stage as very few of them proceeded to in vivo animal stage.

The work performed by Dr. Huang’s study at the University of Chicago had both in vitro and in vivo data showing how the photothermal nanoparticles his lab made can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 both in vitro in cells and in vivo in mice. In addition, Dr. Huang’s lab coated the nanoparticles with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies which helped for targeted delivery of the nanoparticles to infected cell. These photothermal nanoparticles can absorb lights and emit energies to kill the virus.

This purchase will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.106-1(b) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000. Interested parties may identify their interests and capability with response to this requirement within fifteen (15) calendar days of the publication of this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government.

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order based upon response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided.