Measurements of Lipoproteins, Apolipoproteins and Lipids- Blood Collection from Fasting and Post Prandial Subjects

This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) hereby announces its intent to award a sole source contract to Emory University, 1364 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30322-1059 for the acquisition of services for the study project titled: "Measurements of Lipoproteins, Apolipoproteins and Lipids- Blood Collection from Fasting and Post Prandial Subjects". The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541714, Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology). The period of performance for this procurement is 18 months from date of award. The purpose of this procurement is to procure plasma and blood samples collected from patients for the study. These samples must be processed for analysis on the same day in order to ensure accurate data, and possible analyte degradation, and without compromising the integrity of the samples. Emory University has a unique capability to asses and determine the eligibility of the candidates by performing body fat composition scan on each volunteer using DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) during on-site interview and perform blood chemistry panel testing for each patient during on-site interviews, which are a requirement for the study parameters. Emory University is situated within a close proximity to CDC Chamblee Campus which is vital for the timely delivery of the samples. CDC needs to obtain fresh/non frozen blood and plasma samples as described in the scope of work, so that the fresh samples can be processed in our laboratory as soon as possible after collection. Emory University was investigated based on previous collaborations with the Nutrition Biomarker Branch at DLS due to the fact that their facilities are set-up for conducting these types of studies and are within the proximity of CDC Chamblee. Other vendors were considered for this project. However, other providers are located too far from the CDC Chamblee campus and require shipping specimens over night to CDC which involves freezing the samples which in turn may affect the integrity of the large triglyceride rich particles as well as the degradation of certain analytes. This does not meet the study design and requirements and would affect the integrity of the samples and the processing of the samples. Other potential vendors have been considered but they cannot guarantee the sample collections according to our parameters listed in the scope of work (i.e. body fat composition scan on each volunteer using DEXA and perform blood chemistry panels) and cannot guarantee the number of patients enrolled to meet those requirements, since those vendors base their pre-screening on candidate's questionnaires only and not on-site tests and exams. Emory University is the only source that can meet the Government's needs for this procurement and fulfill the requirement to transport the samples to the CDC laboratory on the same day of the blood draw and within 2 hours from the 6-hour blood draw. No other provider can fulfill this requirement. As a result of this synopsis, no competitive solicitation will be posted on FedBizOpps.com. We will only issue a solicitation to Emory University. However, all responsible sources who believe they can meet these requirements, may submit their capabilities and/or qualifications to Tonya S. Justice, Contracting Officer, via email to TJustice@cdc.gov, no later than 10:00am eastern standard time on July 10, 2018. Reference solicitation number RFP #75D301-18-Q-68648 in the subject line of the email. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action will be based on responses to this notice and is solely in the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.