Seed Award Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) intends to solicit a single source and award a firm fixed price purchase order to Georgia State University, in Atlanta, GA, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b). The purpose of this procurement is to do the following services under the Seed Award Program: 1. To create a logic model that characterizes the factors that contribute to the risks and benefits of specific foods that are healthy yet pose important food safety risks: produce that is typically consumed raw. 2. To create a mental model (or map) of consumer beliefs regarding the risks and benefits of their food choices focusing on produce that is consumed raw. 3. To elicit consumer knowledge and perceptions of specific foods and foodborne pathogens and how they shape consumer behaviors. 4. To create and test messages (including both quantitative and qualitative information) that address the critical differences between what people know and what they need and want to know in a manner that applies evidence-based guidelines for effective risk communication. 5. To use information about behavioral intentions regarding food consumption gleaned from interviews and focus groups to evaluate current individual-level risk assessment models for foodborne disease risks. We will explore how different messages might influence reported consumption of specific foods and the corresponding individual-level foodborne disease risk estimates for these foods. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Seed Award Program enhances research in an area of public health need/utility, increase the quality and impact of research outputs, and strengthen collaborative interactions between CDC and local university scientists. The CDC seed award program is a competitive process whereas CDC and a collaborative partner conceive of, prepare and submitt a project proposal for evaluation and selection. Therefore, competition and the seeking out of other potential offerors is achieved at this level of the process. The proposal entitled "Communicating the Risks and Benefits of Raw Produce: Research with Consumers," was reviewed by both CDC and GSU and was selected by each institution for a "seed" award. Therefore, GSU is the only elligable vendor able to perform these services in accordance with the Seed Award Progam. The anticipated Period of Performance is 24 months from date of award. The associated NACIS Code is 541712. No Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities/qualifications statement to perform the effort, in writing to Mrs. Sharon Cunningham via email at cux0@cdc.gov with the reference number (2013-Q-15779) referenced in the subject line, no later than 4:00 pm Eastern Time, July 10, 2013.