ABSA Select Agent Forum

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, OPHPR/DSAT 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30333, hereby announces its intent to issue a sole source contract in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) to the American Biological Safety Association, Inc., 1200 Allanson Rd Mundelein, IL, 60060-3808, to provide an ongoing forum for US select agent users to learn, share information, and provide a summary of anonymous feedback about the US Select Agent Program. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as cited in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), "only one source [is] reasonably available," which states that, "For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold: (i) Contracting Officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization), (ii) portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item, the documentation in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section only applies to the portion of the purchase requiring brand-name item. The documentation should state it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand-name." This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals. No solicitation is available. The Office of Public Health Preparedness and Prevention has a requirement to bring together entity biosafety officers and professionals that include a significant number of Responsible Officials (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officials (ARO) and others directly involved in complying with the select agent regulations to learn, share information, and provide a summary of anonymous feedback about the US Select Agent Program. Responsible sources that believe they possess the expertise and capabilities identified above are encouraged to submit to the Contracting Specialist within 5 business days from the posting date of this synopsis, their written capabilities statement, proposal or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Please forward the capability statement and/or pricing information to Le Doan, Contract Specialist, Reference 2017-Q-66871, via email ONLY at kuj3@cdc.gov. All vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to an award of a federal contract. The website is: www.sam.gov. The Government will review any/all capabilities statements and pricing information submitted and determine if other qualified sources do exist that could provide this requirement. Information received in response to this announcement will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination not to compete the described requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government. If no affirmative responses are received within 5 days, negotiations will be conducted with American Biological Safety Association, Inc., as the only source and a contract will be issued without any additional notices being posted.