Pre-Term Birth Study

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maternal and Infant Health Branch, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to procure, in accordance with FAR Part 13, sole source to the Sequoia Foundation (contractor to California Department of Health Services, Genetic Screening Program) to provide CDC with a de-identified database consisting of population-based linked prenatal screening, newborn screening and vital statistics datasets with genotyping results of maternal prenatal screening and newborn screening specimens from existing biobanks in California. Sequoia Foundation 2166 Avenida de la Playa, Suite D, La Jolla, CA 92037 (contractor to California Department of Public Health, Genetic Disease Screening Program). The Sequoia Foundation is the only organization that has the ability and authority to identify and retrieve maternal prenatal screening information and biological samples, as well as newborn screening data and biological samples and is the only organization that has access to maternal and infant biological samples from individuals who participated in the California prenatal and newborn screening programs between November 1999 and April 2007. The Government intends to procure from only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The acquisition will be conducted under the procedures for acquiring commercial items authorized in FAR Part 12 in accordance with the authority to use simplified procedures for commercial requirements provided in FAR 13.5. The Sequoia Foundation is the only source known to the government that can provide a system with the required characteristics. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The capability statement and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow CDC to determine if the party can fully meet the requirements herein. Period of Performance: The period of performance shall commence upon award of a contract and shall continue through September 2010 or until all activities are complete, whichever is sooner. This announcement is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can provide the required services are encouraged to identify themselves and provide written notification to the Contracting Officer, within fifteen (15) days from the date of this synopsis. All questions must be in writing and can be emailed to mroepe@cdc.gov. It is the vendor's responsibility to the aforementioned individual to ensure questions have been received. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.