Q301--Research Lab Services - Specialized Biomarker Lab for TRACTS

This Statement of Work outlines a firm-fixed-price federal contract for the PRECEDE Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to perform fluid biomarker generation and data harmonization. The project supports LIMBIC and TRACTs consortium research to enable cross-cohort comparisons. Using co-located Olink and Quanterix platforms alongside Illumina-based sequencing, the laboratory will analyze up to 3,000 consortium samples, with an initial minimum of 1,250 samples processed on the Olink Explorer platform in the first year. JHU's PRECEDE Laboratory is uniquely qualified as the sole facility possessing both required platforms and the proprietary analytical pipelines necessary to maintain standardized protocols and data integrity. The contractor's responsibilities include high-throughput biomarker assay execution, sequencing support, data quality control and harmonization, and sample logistics. The period of performance is one year from the date of award. All administrative and health-specific records generated during this contract belong to the Salt Lake City VAMC. The contractor must adhere to strict National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) regulations, VA records management policies, and federal laws regarding data security, privacy, and unauthorized disclosure. Additionally, all contractor personnel handling these records must complete designated VA records management training.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Procurement Office East has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for specialized biomarker research laboratory services. The VA intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract to The Johns Hopkins University under the authority of FAR 6.103-1, as they are deemed the only responsible source capable of satisfying the agency's requirements. The contracted services will support the LIMBIC and TRACTS consortium research programs by analyzing proteins, mRNA, and other fluid biomarkers. Although this announcement is not a request for competitive proposals or quotations, interested parties may submit capability statements to demonstrate their ability to perform the work outlined in the draft Statement of Work. Capability packages must be submitted via email to Contracting Officer Renee Kale by 10:00 AM Eastern Time on August 3, 2026. The government will use the received information solely to determine whether a competitive procurement is warranted, retaining full discretion over the final sourcing decision. No telephone inquiries will be accepted, and there is no designated question-and-answer period for this notice.