Round Robin Testing

This is a Source Sought Notice to determine the availability and capability of small businesses (including certified 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, and HUBZone firms; veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses) to conduct a round robin testing program to validate diagnostic laboratory capabilities. The Contractor's capability statement shall demonstrate the company's ability to meet the following requirements. Additionally, the capability statement shall demonstrate experience administering or coordinating proficiency testing programs. Please provide a detailed description of your company's (including its teammates, if applicable) experience and demonstrated abilities. Activities will include providing selected control animal biologic samples to the FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) laboratories for the preparation of the test samples, assist Vet-LIRN administer round robin proficiency testing program to participating Vet-LIRN laboratories, facilitate interactions with Vet-LIRN network laboratories and provide training, support and technical expertise for adapting methods to prepare network laboratories to participate in these Round Robin exercises, assist with ensuring that test methods are harmonized by the laboratories to demonstrate actual capabilities to conduct the analysis adequately, and interact with the other Vet-LIRN laboratories to distribute samples (provided by FDA), facilitate and trouble-shoot method transfer, collect test results, collate data, and report results to Vet-LIRN personnel. Anticipated Contract Type: A Base plus 4 Option Year IDIQ Contract is requested. Task orders covering testing, method development, and interpretation of results will be submitted with separate statements of work covering the work to be performed under the individual tasks. Responses to this notice shall be limited to 10 pages, and must include: 1. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and FAX numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. 2. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 3. Business size for NAICS 541712 (size standard $7M) and status, if qualified as an 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA), Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA), Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages). 4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number, and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be considered as potential sources. 5. If applicable, identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. 6. If the company has a Government approved accounting system, please identify the agency that approved the system. 7. Contractor shall indicate if they are a Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) laboratory and/or accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. Please submit copies of any documentation such as letters or certificates to indicate the firm's status (see item #3, above). Teaming arrangements are acceptable, and the information required above on the company responding to this announcement, should also be provided for each entity expected to be teammates of the respondent for performance of this work. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, Solicitation, Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained in this announcement. This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this announcement. Responses to this notice must be received via email to Contract Specialist Tomeka Evans at Tomeka.Evans@fda.hhs.gov no later than 9:00 AM Eastern Time on August 14, 2014 for consideration. Responses to this announcement will not be returned, nor any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. However, information obtained as a result of this announcement may be reflected in the subsequent solicitation, and the FDA may contact one or more respondents for clarifications and to enhance the Governments understanding. This announcement is Government market research, and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses.