B -- Produce Specific Extracts from Natural Forest Products for Use Against Arthropods

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to issue a sole source purchase order to Oregon State University, 119 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-5751, to produce specific extracts from natural forest products and deliver to CDC for use in studies against arthropods to be conducted in CDC laboratories. Background: arthropods transmit the etiologic agents of several human diseases causing an important impact on public health within the United States. The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the principal vector of Lyme disease spirochetes, the agent causing human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, and human babesiosis. Fleas transmit plague causing bacteria in the United States, and mosquitoes transmit the West Nile Virus and other arboviruses within the United States. Although chemical pesticides and repellents are available to combat these disease transmitting pests, many citizens are hesitant about the use of these pesticides due to concerns about short range toxicity and long range health problems attributed to these chemicals. Plants have long been shown to have natural chemical defenses against arthropods. The exploitation of plants to provide natural, least-toxic pesticides and repellents is a high priority for CDC in the combat against vector-borne disease. The vendor will furnish all labor, materials and equipment necessary to extract, identify, and produce quantities of proprietary terpene compounds (naturally occurring hydrocarbons containing 15 carbon atoms and 10 carbon atom monoterpenes) from natural product and synthetic sources to be tested by CDC/NCID/DVBID, Fort Collins, CO, for repellency and biocidal activity against arthropods and other pests of public health importance. In doing so the vendor shall perform the following tasks: 1) Prepare a minimum of 5 grams at purity levels > 95% of each of 5 identified proprietary C15 sesquiterpenes with arthropod biocidal and repellent activity for testing at CDC. These 5 compounds have been previously isolated and identified. A patent currently exists on these 5 compounds. 2) Isolate, identify, characterize, and prepare a minimum of 2 grams at purity levels > 95% of each of 2 newly discovered and related C15 sesquiterpenes for testing at CDC. These 2 compounds have been isolated and identified. A patent currently exists on these 2 new compounds from Alaskan yellow cedar (AYC). 3) Provide a minimum of 10 grams of steam distilled C15 sesquiterpenes extracted from Alaskan yellow cedar (AYC) foliage and 2 C10 monoterpenes using oxidation processes. 4) Ship compounds to CDC, Fort Collins, CO with data for each sample to include chemical name, purity, date of purification and amount (weight and/or volume). Data including biocidal and repellent activity of these compounds will be written and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal with CDC researchers and vendor as authors. Vendor will have the choice of writing and submitting chemical data for publication in a peer-reviewed journal with the potential of CDC researchers as authors. Any potential offerors must be able to produce specific extracts from natural forest products and deliver to CDC for use in studies against arthropods to be conducted in CDC laboratories. The vendor must be fully familiar with the process of extracting pure fractions of sesquiterpene and monoterpenes compounds (naturally occurring hydrocarbons containing both 15 and 10 carbon atoms) from natural product and synthetic sources. The vendor must be aware of which C15 and C10 terpenes have the greatest potential for use against arthropods based on previous biocidal screening of these compounds for use against arthropods. The vendor must also be aware of the most efficient chemical processes for producing pure fractions (>95%) of these C15 and C10 terpenes. CDC believes that this requirement is met by only one provider. This procurement will be processed under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and 6.302-2. Only one responsible source and no other sources will satisfy agency requirements. No solicitation is being issued. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. This procurement is not set-aside for small business. For contractual questions contact Linda M. Young.