B--Development of Alternative Sustainable Nanomaterials

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures with North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, for the Development of Alternative Sustainable Nanomaterials for In Vitro Bioactivity Profiling. This requirement is for the contractor to synthesize, characterize, and provide for bioprofiling of silver-ion infused lignin nanoparticles to include the following tasks: Develop environmentally-benign nanomaterials and evaluate performance; Provide material samples for bioprofiling; Characterize particles; Analyze resulting HTS data and prepare manuscript within 120 calendar days of contract award. The NC State University Laboratory, with Dr. Velev as Principal Investigator, is considered a unique source in that the laboratory is currently synthesizing nanoparticles with the specifications required for this project and is the only known source that has completed the following three tasks that are essential to this project: synthesized stable lignin-based nanoparticles (up to pH 9), infused the nanoparticles with active components and demonstrated antibactericidal functionality of these infused particles using simple biotoxicity tests on E. coli bacteria. Additionally Dr. Velev is an internationally recognized expert in nanoparticle design. EPA believes NC State University is the only source capable of reasonably satisfying the requirements stated above. The circumstance permitting "other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b), only one source reasonably available and no other supplies or service will satisfy Agency requirements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541712, with a small business size standard of 500 employees, is applicable. The intent of this notice is to determine if any other source(s) exist, and therefore, no solicitation (RFQ) is available. Consequently, any response failing to provide evidence of the aforementioned data and instead choosing to mere ly submit a routine letter requesting a copy of the RFQ will not be honored. Interested parties who can meet the above requirements may submit written qualifications fully explaining their capability no later than 15 days after the date of this publication. Submit response to US EPA, Attn: Jennifer Hill (E105-02), RTP Procurement Operations Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 via US Postal Service or via email to hill.jennifer@epa.gov. No telephonic or faxed request will be honored.