The Bacteriology Department of the U.S. Naval Medical  needs to purchase Salmonella and Shigella antisera, transport media, and reagents for the identification of entero pathogens, either by conventional methods or semi-automated equipment such as Phoenix 100, and both identification methods require serological tests for final confirmation of both.

Bacteriology protocols and assays are standardized with Denka Seiken products  to identify pathogenic isolates under "Surveillance and Characterization of the Molecular Resistance Factors of Bacterial Pathogens"

The use of the above reagents has proven compatible with NAMRU-6 diagnostic equipment and procedures and altering brand or vendor represents a loss in result comparability, supervisor and technician time to develop and validate new procedures and results, and potential logistics barriers given our overseas location and supply support system. The assays have been developed independently for each SOP and involve much time and effort by laboratory technicians, and supervisors for final approval. Reagents used must remain the same as the ones indicated in the SOPs, otherwise the design and validation of these processes would have to be re-initiated, which would delay all processing and the timely diagnosis of public health relevant pathogens.
If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NAMRU 6 intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of 13.106-1(b)(i) to BELOMED , which is the Peruvian distributor of Denka Seiken brand  for the requirement of these products.

Sources interested to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management, technical data and cost information, in sufficient detail and supporting evidence to demonstrate the capability to perform required work. The capability statement shall not exceed 5 pages (8.5 x 11inch) using a font size not smaller than 10 points. All capability statements received by the due date will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation, additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on 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 or to proceed with a sole source contract.