J A_NaVRI.pdf

DEFENSE TNREAI REDUCTION AGENCY

AND

UNITED STATES STRATEGIC CO*TTTRT.IO

CENTER roR ConaeATING WEIpOhIS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

A725 JOHN J. KINGMAN ROAD, STOP 620I

FoRr BrlvorR, VA 22064-6.201

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPBN 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 National Veterinary Research Institute

$favzu) in Cambodia without using full and open competition. This effort, entitled "Technical Support for Disease Monitoring and Reporting Activities in Cambodia" will provide for enhancement of NaVRI's ability to detect pathogens, provide disease surveillance, and respond to outbreaks. The enhanced capability of NaVRI 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 $200,000.00

2. Description of the Supplies/Services Required

Veterinary epidemiological and diagnostic services within Cambodia are officially provided by NaVRI. The mandate of NaVRI is to conduct surveillance and research, investigate disease outbreaks, and consolidate information on all matters pertaining to animal health and production and food safety. NaVRI has the major role in the management of animal health disease outbreaks in Cambodia.

A major tool through which NaVRI builds monitoring and reporting capabilities is through the

Cambodian Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (CAVET) program. This program trains veterinarians at the local and provincial levels in disease response, outbreak investigation, and disease surveillance. Through this program, NaVRI is developing a cadre of technically capable veterinarians qetworked throughout the country to manage surveillance and outbreak responses locally. Upon graduation, CAVET trainees will be able to develop disease surveillance plans, and provide fast response, to disease outbreaks within their respective cities and provinces in Cambodia. At the end of the training period, graduates will remain in their provinces to function as first-responders, and reporters, to possible outbreaks ofdisease at the local level.

The planned DTRA contract will support and enhance the CAVET program. DTRA will provide for trainers and full time students, and their associated projects. Deliverables will be reports detailing activities and findings from the students and projects. Enhancing the CAVET 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 cohcern

(PHETC).

3. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is derived from l0 United States Code

(U.S.C.) 230a(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), 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 sati sfy agency requirements.

NaVRI is the primary organization responsible for animal disease outbreak response and disease surveillance in Cambodia. NaVRI has unique end-country expertise regarding pathogens and potential diseases in Cambodia not possessed by any other organization, The most efficient and effective way to encourage ownership of, and responsibility for, this function is to directly enhance the capabilities of Cambodia as opposed to contracting with a third party company.

There are no other known sources capable of fulfilling this requirement based on the unique position, background, and experience of NaVRI. A Notice to Award a Sole Source Contract was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on 14 February 2014. No responses were received.

The costs for NaVRI 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 NaVRI's previously developed infrastructure and capacity and avoid duplication of effort.

5. Effort to Solicit Potential Sources

A Notice to Award a Sole Source Contract was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on 14 February 2014. Interested parties were provided l5 days to respond with capability statements for purposes of determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. No responses were received.

A specific performer for this effort has been identified by DTRA, and associated international organizations and experts in epidemiology. NaVRI is the primary organization in Cambodia with responsibility for animal disease surveillance and response. Building the capacity of this organization directly will pave the way for a self-sustaining capability fully funded by Cambodia.

The United States, and her allies in the region, will benefit from enhanced detection and response to pathogens with serious economic and security implications.

6. Fair and Reasonable Costs

The estimated price of this contract action is $200,000.00 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 NaVRI. 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 internet resources, and interviews with experts in the field. This research found no sources capable of meeting this requirement other than NaVRI. NaVRI's unique position within Cambodia positions them as the major organization responsible for animal disease surveillance, and outbreak response, in the country.

A Notice to Award a Sole Source Contract was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on 14 February 2014. No responses were received.

8. Other Facts

None.

9. Interested Sources

A Notice to Award a Sole Source Contract was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on 14 February 2014. No responses were received.

10. Subsequent Actions

As the DTRA CBEP project in Cambodia evolves the Program Manager will continue to assess the role of NaVRt. The effectiveness of CAVET in furthering CBEP's mission to address global health security threats will be evaluated prior to any decisions regarding a follow on effort.