Notice of Intent to Sole Source Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program Richard Bernstein B Reader

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order/contract to Richard Bernstein MD, for procuring B Reader classifications services for the chest radiographs taken for all components of the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) includes Enhanced, Expanded and Special Studies.

This is a B Reader that has been chosen to classify chest radiographs for the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). The CWHSP is a federally-mandated program that requires in-depth knowledge of the ILO Classification System. In order to achieve confident and integrity of the classifications provided by the B Readers chosen to participate in the CWHSP, they are required to meet a set of stringent criteria prior to their participation. This criteria includes making a higher than average score on the B Reader Examination as well as achieving a designated score on the small opacity and inconsistency indices sections on the Examination. They also must be board certified in their specialty. This physician meets all of the required criteria so we can confident of continuing a high standard of classifications and thus preserving the integrity of the Program.

The CWHSP is a federally-mandated Program that was originally authorized under the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and is currently authorized under the 1977 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act and its subsequent amendments (the Act). The CWHSP is administered by RHD in Morgantown, WV. The primary objective of the Program is to screen miners for coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). Miners who show signs of CWP on their chest radiographs are offered the option to transfer to an area of the mine where the concentration of dust is continuously maintained at or below the applicable standard as specified in Title 30, Part 90.100 (Part 90 Transfer Rights). Radiographs are interpreted by physicians who are certified by NIOSH as proficient in use of the International Labour Office (ILO) system for classifying radiographs of the pneumoconiosis - B Readers. B Readers interpreting rad iographs for the CWHSP are external to the CWHSP (not Federal government employees) in order to protect them from conflict of interest issues. Each film is seen by at least two readers, and a consensus rule is used to reach a final determination for each radiograph. The CWHSP is unique as a federally- mandated occupational health screening program. It is an important program which requires in-depth knowledge of the ILO Classification System, and requires confidence in the results obtained to maintain the integrity of the Program.

This contract action is for supplies/services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of Revolutionary FAR Overhaul 6.103-1 (SAP) ; under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented in FAR subpart 12.102 ; The North American Industry Classification System code for this procurement is 621111 U.S. establishments of physicians practicing general or specialized medicine, excluding mental health specialists. 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 15 days of the issuance of this notice shall 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 at email qsx8@cdc.gov by July 1, 2026 before 5pm EST.