Gene Synthesis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to GeneWiz, 111 Corporate Boulevard, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 for the purchase of 145,000 base pairs of turbo gene synthesis (inclusive of all subcloning and mini-DNA prep costs required to deliver genes); one hundred (100) endo-free maxi-scale DNA preparations; and twenty-five (25) runs of TurboMUTANT site-directed mutagenesis for surveillance studies. In an influenza pandemic, each day before a vaccine is available can represent the loss of thousands of lives. The Vaccine Preparedness Team (VPT) of the Influenza Division is tasked with providing Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) grade Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs) within in a short timeframe to vaccine manufacturers. The required turnaround time (TAT) for VPT to have a novel influenza CVV is thirty (30) days. That time breaks down into fourteen (14) days of quality control and verification, a minimum of nine (9) days for virus generation and subsequent propagation from synthetic DNA, and six (6) days for the generation of the synthetic DNA (during which the Government also produces required GLP plans and other preparations). This tight schedule leaves only one (1) additional day for error, or more commonly, for the inherent nature of the virus strain requiring more than nine (9) days for generation or propagation. Therefore, the DNA synthesis TAT, from the Government providing the needed gene sequences to the Government receiving 4ug-scale plasmid preparations is less than seven (<7) days. GeneWiz is the only vendor capable of meeting the required TAT to provide Candidate Vaccine Viruses. 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 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1).. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered 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 normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist Maria Shamburger at contact@example.gov by COB June 25, 2020.