Mouse Brain Neurohistology

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document lists and incorporates by reference various clauses and provisions that are applicable to the solicitation. It serves to inform potential bidders of the contractual terms and conditions that will govern any resulting contract.

• Clauses Incorporated by Reference: A comprehensive list of FAR and DFARS clauses with their respective titles, alteration/deviation numbers, year/month, and section.
• Clauses in Full Text: Provides the full text for specific clauses, including "Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation" (252.204-7017) and "Wide Area WorkFlow Payment Instructions" (252.232-7006).
• Payment Instructions: Details on using the Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) system for electronic invoicing, payment requests, and receiving reports, including required document types and routing data.
• Evaluation Factors: Outlines the criteria the Government will use to evaluate offers for commercial products and services, emphasizing that the award will be made to the most advantageous offer considering price and other factors.

Bidders must carefully review all incorporated clauses and full-text provisions to understand their contractual obligations, submission requirements (especially regarding WAWF), and the evaluation criteria. This document is critical for accurately preparing proposals and ensuring compliance with all terms and conditions.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for "Mouse Brain Neurohistology" services, issued by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU). The requirement is for full and open competition under NAICS code 541714 – Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology), with a size standard of 1,000 employees. The solicitation is being conducted in accordance with FAR part 12 and FAR part 13.

• Detailed processes and procedures for completing mice brain neurohistology.

• Delivery: F.O.B Destination to 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

• The requirement description is detailed in the attached Statement of Work (Attachment 2).

• Contract type: Purchase Order.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but delivery is after receipt of mouse brain hemispheres.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Questions Due: 19 March 2026, 2:00 PM EST.

• Response Due: 23 March 2026, 2:00 PM EST.

• Quotes must be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist. FAX quotations will not be accepted.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Technical (including processes, quality control, and delivery schedule, with potential for price tradeoff).
  • Past Performance (using vendor submissions and Government databases like SPRS and CPARS).
  • Price (reasonableness).

• Basis of Award: Trade Offs / Best Value. The award will be made to the responsible vendor whose quote is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. A trade-off analysis will determine best value.

• Full and open competition.

• Vendors must be registered and active in SAM.gov to be eligible for award.

• This RFQ incorporates provisions and clauses from Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01 and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. Refer to www.acquisition.gov for details.

• Attachment 1 contains Provisions and Clauses.

• Attachment 2 contains the Statement of Work.

Statement of Work (SOW)

This SOW outlines a project to assess changes in neuroinflammation, senescence and autophagy, and blood brain barrier integrity in mouse brains following radiation exposure. The goal is to identify potential mechanisms of Central Nervous System Delayed Effects of Acute Radiation Exposure (CNS DEARE) to aid in the development of future medical countermeasures.

• Embed, slice, and stain multiple mouse brains (40 total) together on the same plane of slicing.

• Section brains at approximately 30-40 microns thick.

• Perform specific staining on every 12th section spaced at 420µm intervals:

  • Blood Brain Barrier Compromise (BBB) Stain with Thionine counterstain.
  • Iba1 Immunofluorescence (for microglia) double-labeled with Lamp-1 Immunofluorescence (for autophagy), counterstained with Blue fluorescent stain.

• Cover slip, label, serially order, and place slides in slide boxes.

• Ship finished slides to USUHS.

• Ship unstained, free-floating sections in antigen preserve solution approximately 30 days after the stained slides.

• Period of Performance: To be determined after contract award and receipt of mouse brains.

• Place of Performance: The vendor's facility.

• Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): USUHS will provide 40 fixed and stored mouse brain hemispheres.

• Performance Standards: Study to be conducted in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) principles, but full GLP requirements (e.g., QA audited reports) are not required.