Soleimanpour/Kauffman Univ of Pittsburgh mTDNA Research

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Ann Arbor Medical Center VISN 10,2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor MI 48105, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), intends to award a contract request on a sole source basis with the University of Pittsburgh for the provision of expertise is the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease and how aberrant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) metabolism contributes to disease progression. NAICS 541715 and PSC code AB13 apply.

Dr. Kaufman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Kaufman s expertise is in the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease and how aberrant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) metabolism contributes to disease progression.

Dr. Kaufman s long expertise in the study of mtDNA copy number control, mtDNA replication, and mtRNA transcription, specifically involving Tfam, serves a critical member of the research team to execute studies related to defective mitochondrial biogenesis in beta cells. Detection of mtDNA deletions will be performed in the Kaufman Lab.

Further, we will survey changes in mitochondrial antioxidant defense pathway by measuring expression of key antioxidant genes, including Prdx3, Txn2, Txnrd2, Ucp2, and Sod2, by qRT-PCR. As Director of the Mitochondrial Genetics Core for the Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine, Dr. Kaufman also will be able to provide fee-for-service technical support for these assays on an as needed basis. Period of performance is estimated as follows:

Base: March, 1st 2024 through February, 28th 2025 This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. It is not a solicitation or request for offers. No solicitation package is available. A determination not to compete is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Responses must be received no later than 4:00 pm EST on February 29th, 2024. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. All responses must be sent by email to kevin.adkins@va.gov