NIAID supports basic research on microbiology and immunology that may lead to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases.

NIAID’s Division of AIDS is seeking a partner to operate the Cellular Immunology Core Laboratory, which will conduct, analyze, develop, optimize, and validate cellular immunologic assays for HIV, Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and other pathogens, to be performed on fresh and frozen preclinical samples.

A new request for proposals (RFP) seeks contractors who can do the following:

• Conduct validated immunological assays using good laboratory practice (GLP)-like processes
• Perform data analyses
• Receive, store, catalog, track, and maintain an inventory of the specimens for evaluation
• Manage, report, and deposit study data
• Perform project management activities related to contract activities
• Conduct initial and final transition activities, as needed

The contractor shall use current state-of-the-art technologies, including, at a minimum, ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine staining, flow cytometry, cell sorting, tetramer staining, and other assays to accomplish the technical objectives, and shall incorporate new and optimized technologies for assay development into contract activities when appropriate. Assays shall incorporate appropriate positive and negative controls using reference panels to define background and dynamic range and shall demonstrate reproducibility and consistency.

Additionally, the contractor shall also use state-of-the-art methods to analyze the data generated by the conduct of the assays, which may require different data analysis methods/platforms as appropriate for each type of assay. Data analyses may require generating publication quality figures, when directed by the contracting officer’s representative. Lastly, an independent Quality Assurance Program, not associated with the contract, shall conduct regular inspections to review facilities, equipment, personnel, methods, practices, and records.

Details and Due Date

Read the RFP Cellular Immunology Core Laboratory for complete details.

NIAID anticipates awarding one cost reimbursement, level-of-effort (term) type contract for a 1-year base period plus six 1-year options for a total possible performance period of 7 years, beginning on March 1, 2024.

Proposals are due on March 17, 2023, by 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Submit applications online through NIH’s electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) site.

Send inquiries to Kimberly Dormer, NIAID’s contract specialist for this opportunity, at kimberly.dormer@nih.gov.