Assessing Changes in the Human Gut Microbiome in Relation to Foodborne Illness

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition intend to use other than full and open competition to award a sole source contract to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This notice of intent to award a sole source contract will be posted for 15 calendar days to verify that no other sources can meet this requirement given only one responsible source and no other supplies or services besides what is in the Statement of Work will satisfy the Government requirements. The Government seeks to avoid substantial duplication of cost that is not expected to be recovered through competition. This 15 calendar day notice shall expire on September 14, 2017 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. If no credible responses to the intent to sole source are received by the Government, a request for proposal will be forwarded to the intended vendor. The proposed contract action will support services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested individuals may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by submitting in writing their name, address, telephone number, email, and a statement regarding capability to provide the specified work. Responses shall be limited to three (3) pages or less, including all attachments. Interested parties will be considered only if they respond to this notice with clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and is able to deliver the services needed. All capability statements, received prior to September 14, 2017 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time will be considered by the Government. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. The Government will notify parties of the outcome of any capability statement submitted in response. 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. Anticipated Award Date and Period of Performance: The Government anticipates an award date by September 29, 2017. The estimated period of performance is a 12-month base period from date of award. Contract type: The Government proposes the award of a firm-fixed price contract.