The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order of a Sensititre Complete Automated System^TM to THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE). The equipment will be used for for assessing antimicrobial susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis isolates from the Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) and Enhanced Meningococcal Surveillance (EMS) programs. The N. meningitidis and H. influenzae isolates will be tested at CDC using the Sensititre equipment as part of our antimicrobial resistance surveillance project. This equipment has a 64 panel capacity which allow for simultaneous testing of up to 16 different antimicrobial agents at different concentrations, within 96-well plates. This allows for quick, accurate, and high throughput assessment of antimicrobial resistance patterns among N. meningitidis and H. influenzae. Up to date there has not been any reports published on this matter for H. influenzae and only one for N. meningitidis in the United States. The project objective is to evaluate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance to agents commonly used to treat patients with N. meningitidis and H. influenzae. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing will be conducted on all Nm isolates submitted to CDC through the Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) during 2012-2016 (n=325) and Enhanced Meningococcal Surveillance during 2015-2016 (n=475). If unusual resistance patterns are identified an additional set of isolates are available for testing (n=1,300). Thermo Fisher Scientific is the only manufacturer of the equipment. The Sensititre equipment has a unique process that we require for our research. It allows for testing of various antimicrobial agents at different concentrations simultaneously in one 96-well plate. This high throughput process will allow us to test a substantial number. 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 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 five (5) 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 quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at [email protected] by COB 07-24-2017.