The United States Army Medical Research Acquistion Activity (USAMRAA), Fort Detrick, MD intends to issue a sole source award utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures to The National Center for Communicable Disease (NCCD), which is the national referral laboratory for respiratory disease under the Mongolian Ministry of Public Health of Mongolia to support services to train relevant Mongolian Armed Forces staff in study procedures, and oversee collection of duplicate throat and nasal swabs from patients with ILI. The contractor will oversee temporary sample storage and shipment. The contractor will process and analyze the duplicate of each sample using the FastTrack 21 multiplex respiratory real time PCR panel, in support of the human use protocol quote mark Estimation of the Burden of Disease of Influenza and other Respiratory Pathogens among Mongolian Armed Forces quote mark to support the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. NCCD is the national referral laboratory for respiratory disease under the Mongolian Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), and is the parent organization of the sole WHO-recognized NIC in Mongolia. As such, the NCCD is the only entity in Mongolia with the laboratory capacity, and most importantly, the authority, to conduct public health surveillance studies for respiratory pathogens. Additionally, this effort will build on an extensive and well established MOPH network for surveillance and sample submission, such that this approach is much more cost effective than any other conceivable mechanism. This requirement will be procured in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice of intent is for information purposes only. All sources eligible to provide this service must respond in writing. Responses must be supported with clear and convincing evidence to clearly articulate the ability to provide services outlined above. A request for documentation will not be considered as an affirmative response. If no responses are received, within 15 days after publication of this notice, to the effect that comparable services are available, and that it is more advantageous to the Government than obtaining these services through a sole-source contract, then a sole source acquisition award will be made. Response to this notice is to be sent to Ms. Monica Pileggi at
[email protected].