A13 - Sole Source -signed.pdf

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CDC AFM case classification
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75D30126R73385
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This document is a Justification for Sole Source Procurement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a neuroepidemiologist from the University of Colorado, Denver. The procurement is valued at $222,995 and is for expert consultation and evaluation of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) cases, including case classification and determination of risk factors. The sole source justification is based on the University of Colorado's unique expertise, specifically their neuro-epidemiologist who investigated the first AFM cluster in 2014 and has over 10 years of experience conducting AFM case classification at CDC.

The document emphasizes that the University of Colorado is the only known institution with a neuroepidemiologist capable of performing in-depth reviews of spinal and brain MRIs for novel illnesses like AFM. The procurement is justified under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) as "only one source reasonably available" due to the institution's extensive experience in AFM surveillance, clinical research, and collaboration with the CDC Picornavirus Laboratory. The procurement aims to maintain consistency and accuracy in AFM surveillance and outbreak response efforts by leveraging the unique institutional knowledge of this specific neuro-epidemiologist.

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JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT (OPEN MARKET OR GSA)

UNDER $250,000

Sole source acquisitions may be used on a limited basis and only when the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Program Official has provided sufficient justification and the Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances warrant such action. The content for a justification must contain detailed facts and rationale to justify the sole source acquisition. Soliciting from a single source must be done in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) or 8.405-6. At a minimum, the following information must be included:

Identification of Program Office, Contracting Activity, and Proposed Requirement, Justification and Program Office Certification:

A. Program Office:

Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Roybal Bldg 24/5213/MS H24-5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, GA 30329

B. Contracting Activity:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Financial Resources Acquisition Branch Click here to enter text.

C. Identification of Requirement:

1. Nature of Action to be Approved by Contracting Officer:

a. Sole source acquisition of: Neuroepidemiologist for AFM Case Classification / University of

Colorado, Denver

b. Procurement Request (PR) Number (if available):

2. Proposed Vendor and Estimated Procurement Amount (if available):

a. Proposed Vendor: University of Colorado, Denver

b. Estimated Procurement Amount: $222,995

3. Is the requirement on GSA Schedule? ☐ Yes ☒ No

If yes, provide schedule number: Click here to enter text.

Rev. 5/14/19

D. Justification:

1. The justification for this non-competitive action is:

☒ In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), “only one source [is] reasonably available” which states that, “For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization). (ii) Where a single source is identified to provide a portion of a purchase because that portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item, the documentation in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section only applies to the portion of the purchase requiring brand-name item. The documentation should state it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand- name.”

☐ Urgency

☐ Exclusive licensing agreements/Proprietary data

☐ Brand name required

☐ Industrial mobilization

☒ Other (e.g., compatibility, space issues, continuity, compatibility, etc.)

☐ In accordance with FAR 8.405-6 “Limiting Sources” which states that, “the only circumstances that may justify the action are – (A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays; (B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; or (C) In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-up to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.”

☐ Urgency

☐ Only One Source ☐ Logical Follow Up

☐ Brand name required

2. Other facts supporting sole source procurement:

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious neurologic illness with unknown etiology that results in paralysis of the arms or legs. After the first outbreak of AFM in 2014 CDC began standardized surveillance in the

United States to characterize the disease burden and explore potential etiologies and epidemiologic associations. CDC is seeking additional clinical support to provide expert consultation and evaluation of

AFM cases, including classification of cases and expertise in determining risk factors and potential etiologies. The neurologist will provide expert neurologic consultation for AFM case classification and augment the neurology panel for outbreak response efforts. AFM case classification involves an in-depth review of spinal and brain MRIs and other medical documents including MRI reports and neurology consult notes. The neuro-epidemiologist at the University of Colorado has more than 10 years of experience conducting AFM case classification at CDC. In addition, the neuro-epidemiologist has advanced training and experience in treating the full spectrum of neurological disorders including AFM.

The University of Colorado is well equipped to provide expert consultation on AFM Surveillance, neurologic diagnoses, and physicians’ education to increase AFM recognition and reporting. It is very important to maintain neurologist capacity and to maintain consistency and accuracy in case review. The neuro-epidemiologist’s institutional memory and understanding of AFM is exclusive among neurologists since the neuro-epidemiologist at the University of Colorado investigated the first cluster of AFM in

2014. Understanding the clinical nuances of AFM and developing expertise in surveillance and outbreak response for this rare condition requires time. As we prepare for possible outbreaks of AFM, any other potential provider may compromise the consistency and accuracy of AFM surveillance.

Furthermore, the University of Colorado is uniquely positioned to conduct AFM case classification given its track record of clinical research investigations into AFM, non-polio enteroviruses, and EV-D68 surveillance, with successful collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Picornavirus Laboratory. The University of Colorado has the expertise that combines knowledge of neurology and epidemiology with extensive experience in AFM surveillance. There are no known neuro-epidemiologists other than through the University of Colorado Denver with the ability to provide these services.

A) What other products/services were considered and why did they not meet the need? There are other academic centers with an interest in AFM, however there are no known neuro-epidemiologists other than through the University of Colorado Denver that have experience with this type of in-depth review of spinal and brain MRIs for case classification for novel illnesses like AFM.

3. Program Office efforts to seek potential offerors:

Market research was conducted by leveraging the CDC’s intimate technical knowledge of this highly specialized field of study. There are no known institutions like the University of Colorado that have a neuroepidemiologist that can carry out this type of MRI review for a novel disease.

E. Program Office Certification:

I have reviewed this sole source justification and certify the justification is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Name/Title: Halle Getachew Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Signature:

Certification Date: Click here to enter a date.

F. Contracting Office Certification:

I have fully relied on the information provided herein and hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer Name: Click here to enter text.

Contracting Officer Signature

Certification Date: Click here to enter a date.

2025-10-31T14:21:09-0400
Hallelujah Getachew -S
2025-12-17T09:02:57-0500
DAVID S. ECCLESTON -S

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