Support for Epidemiologic Studies of Hearing and Balance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to Stephenson and Stephenson Research and Consulting, LLC for Support for Epidemiologic Studies of Hearing and Balance. The audiologists at SASRAC have the experience from the NHANES balance pilot test and initial cycle of data collection before the survey was halted due to COVID-19. This experience is essential to successfully implementing this component for the remainder of the NHANES 2021-2022 survey cycle. They are familiar with the test equipment and its integration with the NHANES survey software; they trained the NHANES technicians and are aware of the problems which have arisen and will require special attention when training new staff, etc. Epidemiologic surveys such as NHANES run on fixed schedules and deadlines cannot be adjusted to meet the needs of individual collaborators. Protocol decisions, software programming, integration with the full survey, staff training, and data review must all meet strict deadlines or that aspect of the survey is dropped. SASRAC, Inc. is the only vendor with the knowledge and experience to maintain the NHANES balance components, provide timely and appropriate statistical analyses to inform future protocol decisions, and provide experiential-based input on redesigning the NHANES audiometric protocol for new format of the survey scheduled to launch in 2024 within the required timeframes. No other audiologists have the experience in the NHANES environment that is required maintain the NHANES balance component for the 2021-2022 survey cycle or make appropriate recommendations for the redesigned survey in 2024 and beyond. This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within seven (7) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at [email protected] by 11:00 AM on June 29, 2022.