H -- Mycobactererium Tuberculosis/NTM Drug Susceptibility Testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking Cost Plus Fixed Fee proposals for coordination and maintenance of a performance evaluation program which assesses the susceptibility testing practices and performance of laboratories in detecting drug resistance in strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M tuberculosis) and clinically relevant strains of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and other nontuberculous mycobacteria that are major causes of opportunistic infections. The contractor shall, as an independent organization and not as an agent of the Government, furnish all labor, materials, facilities, and equipment necessary to maintain and update the data collection instrument and be responsible for converting the testing results collected on-line into the appropriate electronic files. Panel strains for each shipment will be selected by the Project Officer in collaboration with the contractor. The contractor shall prepare, label, store, package, and ship panels containing four (4) strains of M. tuberculosis and if applicable, one (1) strain of non-tuberculous mycobacteria to those laboratories that voluntarily participate in a performance evaluation program to assess the processes for drug susceptibility testing of mycobacteria. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS FOR THE SOLICITATION WILL BE ACCEPTED. The estimated release date of the RFP on the http://www.fedbizops.gov website is on or about May 23, 2003. There are currently no plans to mail out hard copies of the RFP. If you are unable to access the website to retrieve the RFP, please request a copy in writing by emailing Jerry W. Outley at jmo4@cdc.gov. It is incumbent upon each propspective offeror to check the website perodically for amendments or updates to the RFP once it hase been posted.