The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to VitroCell Systems GmbH for the purchase of a Vitrocell Cloud 12 exposure system. The Vitrocell Cloud 12 will assist the laboratory in performing a comprehensive assessment of adverse respiratory effects of asbestos/asbestiform fibers/cleavage fragments, and to identify the critical factors/mediators and mechanisms of fiber induced toxicity and pathogenesis. Simulating human-relevant exposure is critical for assessing the toxicological potential of nanomaterials in in vitro systems as alternatives to animal testing. By using the Vitrocell Cloud exposure system, the laboratory will be able to apply an in vitro testing strategy to assess pulmonary toxicity following exposure to aerosolized particles. This direct continuous exposure at the air-liquid interface is more representative of human-relevant exposures than intermittent exposure or submerged systems, and it can be used to assess the potential hazards associated with aerosolized materials in a scalable, flexible, dosimetrically-relevant format. The Vitrocell Cloud system has been engineered to enable direct exposure of mammalian cells or tissue at the air­liquid interface where the cell systems are not covered with culture medium. This approach allows for more credible and authentic results than by submerged exposure due to a closer replication of the human physiology. The unique features of the Vitrocell Cloud 12, including separate clean air exposure (three replicates) in one module with the test material, uniform and high deposition efficiency, no losses of nanomaterials used, no reaction of principle components with culture medium, and high sensitivity of system, make it the only exposure system that meets the laboratory's requirements. 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.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS; however, all responses received within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this notice will be reviewed 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 response should be emailed to contract specialist at [email protected] by 31 May 2018.