COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies to Abate Counterfeit N95 Respirators

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to Underwriter Laboratories for Mitigation Strategies to Abate Counterfeit N95 Respirators; In times of high demand, as during the COVID-19 response, NIOSH and other federal/state/local agencies have become aware that commercial fraud activity involving the supply and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), including NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) is rampant. Underwriters Laboratories has specific and specialized experience with developing programs to prevent the production and sale of counterfeit copies of legitimate products, and to minimize exposure to the risks associated with counterfeit products. UL has developed approaches to understanding the key elements of an effective brand protection program and offers a process for mitigating the risk of counterfeit products, from an initial risk analysis to program implementation. The COVID19 Pandemic has highlighted the unique and specialized field that encapsulates the mitigation and abatement of counterfeit Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and the development of programs and policies within this narrow field. While other companies may be able to provide an overview of counterfeit prevention strategies, UL has the experience base to analyze current processes on a global scale and ensure compliance with US regulations and conformity assessment approaches. This is a class Justification & Approval (J&A) in accordance with FAR § 6.303-1(d) and 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency, FAR § 8.405-6(a)(1)(A), Limiting Sources, and FAR § 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A), Exceptions to the Fair Opportunity Process for all contract actions to facilitate the recovery efforts necessary to address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Interested parties may identify their interest and submit documentation of their capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responses received within three (3) 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 response should be emailed to the appropriate point of contact at [email protected] by 3:00 PM EST on 19 March 2021.