The solicitation 1232SA25Q044 is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for services to generate five lipid nanoparticle encapsulated self-amplifying nucleic acids based on the genetic components of the alphavirus Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). This is a total small business set-aside acquisition with NAICS code 541380 and a $19.0M small business size standard. The contract will be a firm-fixed-price requirements contract, with one award anticipated. Evaluation will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria, assessing price, technical acceptability, and past performance. Deliverables are required 30 days after award at the US National Poultry Research Center in Athens, GA. The solicitation incorporates various FAR and AGAR clauses, including those related to Service Contract Labor Standards and Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance. Questions are due by January 5, 2026, 4:00 PM Central Time, and offers must be held firm for 90 days. Quotes must be submitted electronically, including pricing, SAM UEI, and a technical package.
This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for a service to synthesize five lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) constructs based on the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) genome components. The service is for the US National Poultry Research Center (USNPRC) in Athens, GA. The project involves designing, synthesizing, producing, and encapsulating five gene constructs of varying sizes (Gene 1-4: 2625-3525 nt; Gene 5: 828 nt). The methodology includes codon optimization for avian hosts, gene synthesis, cloning into the VEEV vector, linearization, and in vitro transcription with 5' methyl cytidine incorporation. Minimum RNA yield requirements are 500 µg for genes 1-4 and 1000 µg for gene 5. Quality control involves assessing RNA integrity and concentration using electrophoresis and quantification methods. Encapsulation into SM10 lipid-based nanoparticles requires verification of encapsulation efficiency, polydispersity index, particle size, zeta potential, endotoxin presence, and pH. Deliverables include one 1 mL aliquot of 250 µg encapsulated RNA for each of genes 1-4, and two 1 mL aliquots, each containing 250 µg encapsulated RNA, for gene 5.