Lipid Droplet Accumulation across Histologic Subtypes of Endometrial Carcinoma

National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), Metabolic Epidemiology Branch (MEB), plans to procure, on a sole source basis, a tissue study to characterize lipid droplet accumulation in endometrial cancers from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) at 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298.This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1 (b)(2) and 13.501-(a)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitionist. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $15.0M.Lipid droplets are endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived organelles that serve as lipid storage within cells and play important roles in cell signaling. Lipid droplets may form as a response to elevated fatty acids and ER stress. The hallmarks of ER stress include the accumulation of misfolded proteins and likely,

toxic lipid species in the ER. ER stress implicated in many disease processes, including endometrial carcinogenesis. However, the most commonly assayed marker of ER stress (a protein called GRP78) is inconsistently associated with endometrial cancer prognosis and has not been studied across histologic subtypes. No studies have determined whether lipid droplet accumulation could better characterize the role of ER stress or provide prognostic information in the context of this cancer (e.g., beyond the information that expression of tumor protein p53 provides). Indeed, no studies have purposely quantified lipid droplet accumulation in endometrial cancers and to do so, NCI will be adapting a protocol for lipid droplet staining that was developed in muscle and liver tissue.The proposed study uses 20 endometrial carcinoma specimens and at least one control specimen (e.g., normal postmenopausal endometrium) collected via biopsy in the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCU). NCI will evaluate lipid droplet accumulation and expression of proteins GRP78 and p53 in these tissues. The purpose of this study is to determine if lipid droplets can be quantified in endometrial tumors and if this can be done with simple staining techniques and software. This will help establish whether excess neutral lipids can be found in all endometrial cancers, or whether potentially dysregulated lipid metabolism is a hallmark of specific histologic subtypes. Secondarily, NCI is seeking to identify factors that are correlated with lipid droplet accumulation in endometrial cancers: expression of proteins that are linked to various aspects of cellular division control; cancer stage and grade; and patient-level characteristics like body mass index. These analyses will provide information and impetus for future projects on lipid droplet accumulation-for example, those studies exploring the relationship between lipid droplet formation and treatment responses.The study utilizes endometrial carcinoma specimens collected via biopsy in the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCU); these specimens were histologically typed by pathologists according to clinical standards, have information on FIGO stage of disease, and are linked to medical record information. Information on age and body size from medical records is needed to comment on lipid droplet accumulation across risk factors for endometrial cancer and also to adjust for important confounders. Patients will carefully be selected according our study criteria (e.g., postmenopausal women with demographic information) by VCU. VCU has Institutional Review Board approval to conduct this study using VCU specimens that will be handled and processed at VCU laboratories; and permission to view the medical records to select participants and collect de-identified information. In addition to the demographic information, VCU will mine the medical records for other desirable medical information, as available (e.g., diabetes status, treatment, survival). VCU is the sole source for the samples required for this study and therefore the only known source that can fulfill NCI's requirements.This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small business believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a proposal or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses must be received in the contracting office by 3:00 PM ET, on January 22, 2019. All responses and questions must be via email to Miguel Diaz, Contracting Officer at miguel.diaz@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV and have Representations and Certifications filled out. Reference: 75N91019Q00012 on all correspondence. Contact Information: Miguel Diaz, Contracting Officer, Phone 2402765439, Email miguel.diaz@nih.gov Office Address :9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E128 Rockville MD 20852 Location: National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions Set Aside: N/A