J A_Lao_FET.pdf

DEFENSE Tanear ReoucrIoN AGENCY

AND

UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COT*TMINo CENTER ron ConaeATING WEAPoNS oF MAss DESTRUCTIoN

8725 Jonr.r J. KTNGMAN RoAD, STo}' 620I FoRT BELVoTR, VA 22060'6201

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Nature and/or Description of Action

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contracting activity proposes to execute a sole source contract on behalf of the Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP), of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program (CTR), with the Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC) of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) without using full and open competition. This effort, entitled "Technical Support for Disease Monitoring and Reporting Activities in PDR" will provide for enhancement of the DCDC's ability to detect pathogens, provide disease surveillance, and respond to outbreaks. The enhanced capability of the DCDC to detect, track, and share information on, pathogens with economic and security implications, such as anthrax and avian influenza, will directly benefit the United States, and her allies in the region.

The Period of Performance for this effort is 12 months, the estimated dollar value is $250,000.00

2. Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The DCDC was established in 2006 and bears responsibility for pandemic detection and response preparations within the PDR. In its efforts, the DCDC works closely with international health organizations such as the US Center for Disease Control (US CDC) and Institute Pasteur.

The primary tool through which the DCDC is building monitoring and reporting capabilities is the Field Epidemiology Training (FET) Initiative. Through this initiative, the DCDC is developing a cadre of technically capable health professionals networked throughout the country to manage surveillance and outbreak responses locally. The FET provides a year-long experience for candidates which includes practical classroom instruction and field practicums which strengthen the national disease surveillance system. At the end of the training period, these students will be deployed throughout PDR at the regional and provincial level to function as first-responders to possible outbreaks of disease.

The planned DTRA contract will support and enhance the FET. DTRA will provide for approximately eight full time students and their associated projects. Deliverables will be reports detailing activities and findings from the students and projects. Enhancing the FET directly aligns with CBEP's stated mission to address global health security threats by working with partner nations and other stakeholders to improve biosafety, biosecurity, and disease surveillance for emerging pathogens that may cause public health emergencies of international concern

(PHETC).

3. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is derived from 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 230a(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(cXl), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One

Responsible Source.

4. Applicability of Authority

Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, The DCDC is the sole organization responsible for outbreak response and disease surveillance in the PDR. The DCDC has unique end-country expertise regarding pathogens and potential diseases in the PDR not possessed by any other organization. The USG's intent behind enhancing this capability of the DCDC is that it will become self-sustaining, and fully funded by the PDR, in the future. This intent could not be fulfilled with a private, profit-oriented contractor. The most efficient and effective way to encourage ownership of, and responsibility for, this function is to directly enhance the capabilities of the PDR as opposed to contracting with a third party company.

The costs for the DCDC to perform this effort are a fraction of what it would be for a performer from a more developed country. DTRA's contract will build on the DCDC's previously developed infrastructure and capacity and avoid duplication of effort.

5. Effort to Solicit Potential Sources

No effort was made to solicit other potential sources. A specific performer for this effort has been identifred by DTRA and associated international organizations and experts in epidemiology.

There is only one organization in the PDR with responsibility for disease surveillance and response. Building the capacity of this organization directly will pave the way for a self-sustaining capability fully funded by the PDR. The United States, and her allies in the region, will benefit from enhanced detection and response to pathogens with serious economic and security implications both in the short term and in the longer term when a self-sustaining capability is funded by the PDR.

6. Fair and Reasonable Costs

The estimated price of this contract action is $250,000.00 for 12 months of performance. The final price of this action will be determined to be fair and reasonable based on the Independent Government Estimate (IGCE) and in-country price analysis during a planned Cooperative Proposal Development (CPD) with the DCDC. The Contracting Officer has preliminarily concluded that contract negotiations will lead to a fair and reasonable price and their signature on the resultant document will constitute the determination required by FAR 6.303-2(a)(7).

7. Market Research

In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research has been conducted for this acquisition. The research sources used consisted of prior acquisition information, a review of intemet resources, and interviews with experts in the field. This research found no sources capable of meeting this requirement other than the DCDC. The DCDC's unique position within the government of the PDR positions them as the only organization responsible for disease surveillance, and outbreak response, in the country. It is in the US Government's interest to provide this capability to an organization which will become self-sustaining in the future.

8. Other Facts

None.

9. Interested Sources

There are no other known sources capable of fulfilling this requirement based on the unique position and authority of the DCDC.

10. Subsequent Actions

As the DTRA CBEP project in PDR evolves the Program Manager will continue to assess the role of the DCDC and capability of the FET. DTRA's intent is to encourage the PDR to fund, and sustain, this work without assistance. Any decisions regarding a follow on effort will be consistent with this intent.