Sole Source Scientific Review Swine Influenza Program

Contractors interested in this acquisition must submit a statement of capabilities (not to exceed 3 pages) showing how you meet the unique qualifications (see 9 below). This must be submitted to the contracting officer via email no later than 1500 central time on 17 February 2015. Nathan.D.Johnson@aphis.usda.gov JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (SOLE OR SINGLE SOURCE) 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Requesting Agency: USDA APHIS VS, SPRS Aquaculture, Swine and Avian Health Center (Swine) 4700 River Road - Unit 43 Riverdale, MD 20737 Contracting Activity: USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, ASD Minneapolis Procurement Branch Butler Square, Fifth Floor 100 North 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403 2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED: The APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS), Influenza A in Swine Surveillance Program, managed by VS Swine Health Center Staff request a noncompetitive acquisition of an external technical epidemiologic review of the surveillance program to support surveillance refinement due to decreases in funding in FY 2017. 3. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE ACQUISITION INCLUSIVE OF OPTIONS): The requested service is an unbiased scientific review of the USDA's Influenza A virus in Swine (IAV-S) surveillance program by Dr. Ian Gardner, a well-established, published, and internationally recognized epidemiologist. Dr. Gardner has knowledge and experience in swine medicine and specifically has experience with influenza in swine. Dr. Gardner does not have ties to the IAV-S surveillance program and is not affiliated with an institution with ties to the program. This review is being requested due to a change in funding sources for this program. The program has previously been funded through non- year monies provided by Health and Human Services. These monies will be depleted in FY 2016. APHIS intends to continue some level of swine influenza surveillance beyond FY2016, but the program will be absorbed into a comprehensive surveillance program for swine with a reduced budget. This review will assist in refining the surveillance program in order to maximize program effectiveness with this funding change. The review will span Fiscal year 2009-2014 and focus on the epidemiologic aspects of the program including surveillance goals and objectives, overall strategy, structure and content, including but not limited to targeted populations, sample selection and submission, sampling efficiency, laboratory testing processes (overall surveillance design), collaborative work with the Agriculture Research Services, reporting processes, inference of results, surveillance sensitivity , and gaps in the system. Recommendations for process improvement and system efficiencies are also requested. The review will not focus on the appropriateness of program objectives, stakeholder satisfaction, or the cost-benefit of the system as these aspects will be evaluated through a parallel internal APHIS review. This is the first time this program review has been requested. Future similar reviews may be requested but are not planned at this time. This assessment should be fully completed within one year of award so that results can be evaluated and adjustments in the IAV-S surveillance program can be discussed with stakeholders and implemented by or before the beginning of FY 2017. The cost of this service is not to exceed $50,000. 4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATUATORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING NONCOMPETITIVE ACQUISITIONS: FAR 6.302-1 5. A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED: Dr. Ian A Gardner possesses all of the unique qualifications required to perform this scientific program review. He is an internationally recognized epidemiologist whose work is well respected by USDA APHIS, academics, and the Swine community. Dr. Gardner holds a PhD and master's degree in preventive veterinary medicine from the Davis School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California. He holds a bachelor's degree in veterinary science from the University of Sydney, and worked in his native Australia as a veterinary officer specializing in pig and poultry diseases. He has experience in working with influenza in both swine and poultry, and has worked in influenza eradication programs in swine and poultry both in the United States and abroad. Dr. Gardner has served in leadership roles in various professional organizations, including the Association of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, and the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease. He is internationally recognized for developing methods to assess disease risk in terrestrial and aquatic food animals. These methods have been used in global veterinary and public health activities, and have influenced policies at the United States Department of Agriculture and the World Organization for Animal Health. Dr. Gardner has more than 200 peer?reviewed scientific publications in leading journals, such as Preventive Veterinary Medicine, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Veterinary Pathology. Dr. Gardner does not have ties to the IAV-S surveillance program, and is not affiliated with an institution with ties to the program. 6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS IS PRACTICABLE, INCLUDING WHETHER A NOTICE WAS, OR WILL BE, PUBLICIZED AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 5.2, AND IF NOT, WHICH EXCEPTION UNDER FAR 5.202 APPLIES: Published on FBO.gov 7. A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE, AND THE BASIS FOR THAT DETERMINATION: Per internal price estimates and analysis this price is fair and reasonable. 8. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED (FAR PART 10) AND THE RESULTS, OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT PERFORMED: Based on routine interactions with the Swine Industry, consultation with USDA colleagues, and a consultation with the Chief Epidemiologist for Veterinary Services, no one else has the unique qualifications that Dr. Gardner possesses. All other known sources have strong ties to the USDA, academic institutions affiliated with the swine industry, the IAV-S surveillance program itself, or do not have the swine medicine expertise and experience of dealing with influenza in swine. 9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION - FAR 6.303-2(a)(9): The required unique qualifications are: - Be a well-established, published, and internationally recognized epidemiologist; - Have knowledge and experience in swine medicine; - Have knowledge and medical experience dealing with influenza in swine; - Have no ties to, or affiliation with an institution with ties to, the IAV-S surveillance program. - Be able to dedicate time to the review and provide a written report within FY 2015. 10. A LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITON: FBO post 11. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY. THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICES REQUIRED: As a one time need for a specific program it is unlikely there will be any subsequent acquisitions. 12. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS JOFOC IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETETOTHE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF. Approved Technical Representative Approved Contracting Officer