ANTIBODY EXPRESSION SERVICE

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Biointron Biological USA, Inc. for antibody expression service.

The Laboratory of Viral Diseases (LVD) within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) carries out investigations into the molecular biology of viruses, the interactions of viruses with host cells, the pathogenesis of viral diseases, and host defense mechanisms. These studies are designed to increase fundamental knowledge and facilitate the development of new approaches to the prevention of treatment of disease.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began early in 2020, LVD, and particularly the Cell Biology Section (CBS) has devoted a good portion of our work to study the human coronaviruses. The goals of the Laboratory of Viral Diseases (LVD) are to determine the mechanisms used by viruses to infect cells, express, and replicate their genomes, assemble infectious particles, and evade the host immune response. Basic information obtained from these studies is used to design antiviral agents and live and subunit recombinant vaccines.

The purpose of this contract is to provide purified custom antibodies, expressed in cell culture. These antibodies will be directed against influenza A hemagglutinin, SARS-CoV-2 spike and other protein variants, also against other proteins to be decided at a later date.

Expressed custom antibodies are very useful in the lab for probing viral proteins, generation of immunity, etc. The LVD uses these antibodies to test neutralization of virus, measure affinity and avidity of binding to viral proteins by ELISA and BLI assays. LVD also determine the effects of antibody maturation on the above measurements. The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C.

1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered.

The documents must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Simplified Acquisition Submission System (eSASS) website at https://esass.nih.gov, (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-24-2227934 by 12:00 pm eastern standard time July 5, 2024. All vendors must register in the eSASS system to submit a quotation. Instructions on how to register / submit quotes are included on the website. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency.