Continuous Supply of Embryonated Eggs and Clinical Batch Production for National Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Efforts

Synopsis In less than 100 years there have been four influenza pandemics: The Spanish Flu of 1918, the Asian Flu of 1957, the Hong Kong Flu of 1968, and most recently the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. Production of a vaccine to immunize against the influenza strain causing the next pandemic must occur as quickly as possible at any time of year. The ability to achieve this objective currently is limited by the seasonal nature of influenza vaccine production and seasonal variability in the availability of supplies essential to vaccine manufacture. Assuring the early availability of a sufficient quantity of vaccine for the U.S. population in the setting of a pandemic will potentially prevent thousands of deaths and save billions of dollars. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has an obligation to promote capabilities that assure a pandemic vaccine can be produced at a U.S.-licensed influenza vaccine facility at any time of the year, without limitations imposed by the availability of essential supplies. In addition DHHS is interested in development of investigational influenza vaccine lots against potential pandemic strains. An ongoing program is designed to support these interests. The purpose of this requirement is twofold: (1) to assure the year-round availability of sufficient embryonated hens eggs and other essential supplies to support production of pandemic influenza vaccine at full current capacity; and (2) to produce investigational lots of pandemic-like influenza vaccine for clinical testing. It is anticipated that the resulting contract duration will be for a 36-month base with three 24-month option periods. This requirement will be Full and Open to all sources; it is anticipated that a Request for Proposals will be issued for this requirement on or about 15 days after the release of this synopsis. The solicitation, all related documents and amendments, if any, will only be released and available electronically through the FedBizOpps posting system at http://www.fedbizopps.gov under the Vendors option followed by selection of the DHHS. As such, no written, telephonic, facsimile or email requests for the solicitation package will be honored. Interested parties can register at the aforementioned site to receive procurement announcements by email. Since this solicitation will only be available electronically, it is solely the responsibility of interested parties to monitor the FedBizOpps website for any solicitation amendments. The NAICS code for this solicitation is 325412. NO OTHER PROCUREMENT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. All responsible sources are encouraged to submit an offer.