Emerging COVID-19 Project-Testing PPE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to Battelle Memorial Institute for testing PPE Materials- Assessing Permeation through Clothing Materials. The purpose of this contract is for NIOSH to receive empirical data for the effort of evaluating clothing performance when exposed to fentanyl and a fentanyl analog solution. Protective clothing will be assessed that vary in material, thickness, structure, etc. NIOSH seeks to work with Battelle to complete this work at their laboratories due to their extensive experience working with this hazardous narcotic. Also, Battelle assessed the protection performance of gloves against fentanyl for NIOSH previously, therefore for the continuity as well as compatibility considerations, NIOSH seeks to work with Battelle. NIOSH will benefit from these results to assist with the validation of PPE recommendations to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers and first responders when in contact with fentanyl or similar narcotics. Testing and evaluation of these clothing materials will help in recommending adequate PPE protection to first responders for COVID19 and Opioid response activities. The permeation of fentanyl solution is commonly assessed used an industry consensus standard for evaluation of chemotherapy drugs and thus a test method to assess fentanyl permeation through protective clothing does not need developed. 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 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 thirteen (13) 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 11:00 AM on 7 July 2020.