The purpose of this follow-on contract is to continue development of a Chlamydia STD vaccine by performing an efficacy study in pigtail macaques. This efficacy study follows the pathogenesis study currently being conducted under the contract with University of Washington. The NIAID seeks to test this vaccine for efficacy using the female pigtail macaque against sexually transmitted Chlamydia D/LC/P+ with an intact CT135 gene and plasmid to determine if a phase 1 clinical trial is appropriate. The University of Washington possesses the facilities, resources, expertise and access to pigtail macaques that make it uniquely qualified to perform this work. Additionally, the safety and efficacy study must be performed on specimens from the same source as those used for the pathogenesis study. Since the pathogenesis study is already underway at University of Washington, awarding the contract to another source would result in substantial duplication of costs.

This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. The unique services University of Washington can provide make it the only responsible source capable of supplying the services required by the NIAID. Award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition.  NIAID anticipates awarding a cost-type completion contract as a result of this announcement with a performance period of 9 months.

This is not a request for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. A Research and Development Sources Sought Notice was posted on November 4, 2013 as HHSN-NIH-NIAID-RDSS-14-NIHAI2014003.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The RFP will be available on or about February 25, 2014.  Interested parties may contact the points of contact referenced in this announcement.