The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to award a fixed-price contract on a sole source basis to MRIGlobal, Kansas City, MO for Bacterial Challenge Panels and Bacterial, Viral and Toxin Challenge Panels for the Laboratory Response Network (LRN). The production of challenge panels requires the use of specially characterized strains of bacteria, viruses and toxins supplied by CDC. The Vendor’s processes have already been validated through contract #75D30118C03063. Through the Government’s previous contract, Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) have been instituted which allow for the exchange of materials and proprietary information between the Vendor and the Government. These materials have already been transferred to the Vendor and are maintained in their biological agent inventory. Changing vendors will result in extensive time and cost to our program because we will need to validate all the new vendor’s manufacturing processes. The Vendor is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has Biological Select Agent and Toxin (BSAT) registered facility with the Federal Select Agent Program. Additionally, the Vendor has the USDA-APHIS permits in place for the registered agents. No other contractors (other than the incumbents) can provide the required challenge panels without significant start-up delays. Timing of this award is critical as the Government needs to begin the first order process in order to meet Federally mandated deadlines given to LRN member laboratories. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 325414 with a size standard of 1,250 employees. 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 Part FAR 13.106–1 (b) 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 fifteen (15) calendar 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 be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Lee Catherine Kennedy, at [email protected] by 4:00pm ET, Saturday, 2 January 2021.