Generation of Toxic and Nontoxic O. ovata and Alexandrium tamarensis culture

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick, Maryland, 21702, intends to award a sole source contract to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) for the generation of toxic and non-toxic O. ovata and Alexandrium tamarensis culture for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority at FAR 6.302-1. USAMRIID has a requirement for support services to provide toxic and non-toxic O. ovata and Alexandrium tamarensis culture extracts and, if necessary, additional toxic zooanthid extracts. Additionally, the contractor will be required to provide technical guidance on palytoxin and its physiological effects on animal models, saxitoxin dosing, and response analysis. The anticipated period of performance is one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods. WHOI is uniquely qualified to provide the required services. It is the only source that can successfully accomplish these tasks in the time frame required. It has multiple strains of O. ovata currently in culture, including some geographically relevant clones unavailable through other sources. It has been culturing Alexandrium for many years and has multiple clones demonstrating various toxin profiles already in culture. It is an expert in the difficult task of HPLC separation and quantitation of multiple congeners. Other sources would need to first acquire the proper clones and optimize their culture parameters prior to production. The time frame required for this preparation would result in unacceptable delays. An RFP will be issued to WHOI on a sole source basis. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541712 and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Any sources that believe they are eligible to provide these services must respond to this notice in writing. Responses must be supported with clear and convincing evidence which articulates the ability to perform the services outlined above. A request for documentation will not be considered an affirmative response. Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects fifteen (15) days after the publication of this notice, the contract will be awarded without further remark. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Ms. Samantha L. Connors at SAMANTHA.L.CONNORS.CIV@MAIL.MIL. Interested concerns must identify their capability to the above email address no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time, 04 April 2017.