Amended to correct the PSC code and NAICS code. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award, on a sole source basis, a firm-fixed price contract to the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, 501 D W Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, to produce heat-inactivated, bulk post-infection polyclonal ferret antisera raised infectious seasonal influenza viruses and/or candidate vaccine viruses (CVV). The Government requires production of 32 bulk ferret antisera lots during each period of performance to be delivered in quarterly increments. The University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine is uniquely qualified and the only responsible source who can provide these services and in possession of all the following requirements: Maintains Animal Biosafety Level 2, 2E and 3 (ABSL-3E) laboratories with enhancements for work with swine influenza viruses, H1 and H3 variant viruses, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses, seasonal influenza viruses, recombinant vaccine viruses and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (including Select Agent registered laboratory). The laboratory Principal Investigator maintains certification as a Federal Select Agent Program-approved laboratory A permittee for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Public Health Service for the intrastate receival of animal host-origin influenza specimens, virus isolates, and zoonotic influenza viruses in Georgia. These laboratories are also approved to work with and store low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses required for this work to be performed, which also require routine inspection of laboratories and approval by the USDA/APHIS and CDC. In addition to current certifications and permitting, the UGA/College of Veterinary Medicine laboratories have features of an ABSL-3 laboratory with the following enhancements: interlocking double door autoclave, HEPA filtration on the air intake, HEPA filtration of exhaust air, clothing change protocol, shower-out room, liquid effluent sterilizer, and security measures. The laboratory Principal Investigator also has current IACUC ferret protocols approved to carry out this work and is an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) approved laboratory, both of which are requirements for CDC's Animal Care and Use Program Office (ACUPO) to approve this procurement. The College of Veterinary Medicine has received approval to perform this work from CDC's Animal Care and Use Program Office (ACUPO) after review and amendment of the principal investigator’s ferret antisera production protocols by CDC’s IACUC ensuring that the contract award will not be delayed or not approved. This is critical due to the urgency to initiate the activities of the contract. Finally, the College of Veterinary Medicine is the only entity in Georgia meeting these criteria that is also designated as a Center of Excellence for Influenza and Research and Response, which allows for receival of samples required to perform these deliverables as well as having the subject matter expertise, facilities and staff required to perform the work. The anticipate period of performance (POP) is for a 1-year base period from 29 September 2022 through 28 September 2023 followed by four (4) 1-year option periods. 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 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(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 offers; however, all offers/responses received within 15 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. All offers/responses should be emailed to Mark Draluck at
[email protected] by 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time, 8 April 2022.