The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1- only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement. The NAICS code for this procurement is 424210, Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.

The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase measles and rubella proficiency panels to be shipped to 50 countries with varying requirements for import permits. University of Wisconsin System is the only responsible source capable of meeting the Government's requirement because they are the only vendor that can manufacture these certified non-infectious and stable at ambient temperature panels. The ambient temperatures are required for the shipment of these panels to other countries. Additionally, the panels manufactured by University of Wisconsin System are the only commercially available proficiency panels that contain the amount of inactivated virus required for the molecular External Quality Assurance (mEQA) program of the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN). The proficiency panels from University of Wisconsin System have been validated at CDC to work with the molecular assays for the detection and characterization of measles and rubella assays that are recommended by WHO. Thus, University of Wisconsin System, the manufacturer of these panels, is the only company that can be used.

As a result of this synopsis, no competitive solicitation will be posted on FedBizOpps. We will issue only one solicitation to University of Wisconsin System. However, firms that believe they can meet these requirements are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notice by providing a capability statement to the Contracting Officer by July 26, 2018. The Contracting Officer will not respond to verbal request. All requests must be in writing.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action will be based on responses to this notice and are solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries shall be sent to Liubov Kriel by email at [email protected] and reference solicitation number 75D30118-Q-68768 on the subject line.