Identify viruses involved in morbidity and mortality in marine mammals

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 13, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number NFFKPR00-10-18452 is being issued as a Request for Quotation. This acquisition is being solicited using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The associated NAICS code and small business size standard is 611310 and $7.0M. The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Marine Mammal Conservation Division, has a requirement to provide specific viral identification in samples from marine mammals. Techniques will include viral culture, PCR techniques, electron microscopy, high through put sequencing, and viral micro-arrays. Based on differential diagnosis from pathological examination or clinical signs, the laboratory will determine the appropriate method to determine if viral pathogens are present in the tissues and are associated with the disease condition. This may be part of a viral discovery effort or to determine the presence of known pathogens. The work will be done in cooperation with veterinary clinicians, pathologists, and stranding network participants. The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) is seeking the use of diagnostic services for the identification of viral pathogens in marine mammals in cases of morbidity and mortality and appropriate controls. The laboratory should have significant expertise and experience in the molecular and standard identification of viral pathogens in marine mammal samples. The diagnostic laboratory must experience in the detection and diagnosis of marine mammal viruses over the last four years. They must have the capability to detect emerging or new pathogens and validate the detection of the virus through sequencing. In addition, established relationships with stranding networks and marine mammal health professionals would be critical to the success of the project. The laboratory would be working as part of a national team of pathologists, stranding network members and marine mammal health professionals. Tissues would be submitted from specific cases and preliminary reports returned within 1 month of submission. Final reports will be received within 3 months of initial submission unless additional diagnostics are required. The virologist will immediately notify both the submitter and the MMHSRP program lead if zoonotic, reportable, or new emerging infectious diseases are detected. Cases will be submitted with approval through the MMHSRP lead. The resulting purchase order shall be awarded on a best value basis and will be firm fixed price. Period of Performance: September 1, 2010 to September 30, 2012. Best value evaluation factors include the following: 1) Technical Approach - The likelihood of effectively meeting the requirements; 2) Past Performance - The relevance and quality of prior performance; and 3) Price - The amount, realism and consistency of the evaluated price. The evaluation shall be based on use of the adjectival scheme as follows: Outstanding (O) - Conspicuously striking in eminence; Good (G) - Beneficial and worthwhile; sound and valid; Adequate (A) - Reasonably sufficient and suitable; Marginal (M) - Minimally suitable at the lower limit. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-44. The provisions and clauses may be downloaded at http://www.arnet.gov/far. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial, FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items - The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following clauses apply: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certificates - Commercial Item, FAR 52.213-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Other Than Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items. FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of segregated facilities, 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contract Registration, 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Other than Central Contractor Registration; 52.232-39, Submission of Electronic Funds Transfer Information with Offer, 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. All responsible sources that can meet the requirements and provide the items as listed above may respond to this solicitation by submitting a proposal addressed to Gina E. Lee, Purchasing Agent, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, 1305 East West Highway, Suite 7144, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, to be received no later than August 25, 2010 at 12:00pm. The Government reserves the right to make one award or no award at all as a result of this solicitation. Responses are to be emailed to contact@example.gov.