Sole Source- Metabolomic Links of Blueberry Intake and Cognitive Function

The USDA intends to award a sole source, firm?fixed?price contract to Metabolon, Inc for advanced metabolomic analysis of 58 human plasma samples for a study on blueberry intake and cognitive function. The contractor must quantify over 2,500 metabolites per sample using UPLC?MS/MS, apply proprietary libraries and annotation tools, and provide normalized data with statistical and multivariate analyses. Prior experience with human plasma and Section 508?compliant electronic deliverables is required. Metabolon, Inc. is uniquely qualified to meet the Government’s needs because it is able to accurately quantify more than 2,500 metabolites per human plasma sample, utilize UPLC-MS/MS instrumentation, and apply the proprietary metabolite libraries and annotation algorithms required for precise metabolite identification. The work also demands extensive prior experience with human plasma metabolomics and established high-throughput analytical platforms—capabilities Metabolon already possesses. These specialized, proprietary tools and expertise are not widely available in the commercial marketplace, making Metabolon uniquely positioned to perform the required services. Although this is a sole source action, any capability statements received must provide clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Responses will be evaluated solely to determine whether competitive procurement is appropriate. The determination to compete, or not compete, is at the sole discretion of the contracting officer. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with submitting capability information.