NAMRU-S J and A_Amazonas_ 3_5_2025.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

This justification is executed by the Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH (NAMRU-S), in Lima Peru, on behalf of the Navy to meet Navy Expeditionary Medical Research requirements.

2. Nature and/or description of the action.

The proposed action is to award a Firm-Fixed Price contract for conducting studies on malaria surveillance in the Amazonas region in Peru. This new requirement is for a 6-month period.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

The purpose of this acquisition is to provide Services in support of tropical infectious disease surveillance in endemic regions of Amazonas - Peru. This study aims to obtain a contract to initiate malaria surveillance efforts in the Peruvian region of Amazonas. This study directly addresses the Febrile and Vector Borne Infections (FVBI) focus area of the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response Branch (GEIS) by increasing surveillance activities in endemic countries in South America, monitoring the emergence of resistance and perform advanced pathogen characterization.

The estimated dollar value of the contract is $22,438.54 USD. The type of funds expected to be utilized for the base Period of Performance (POP) is FY25 Operations &Maintenance (O&M) funding from the US DoD Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division and its Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System Division (AFHSD/GEIS).

4. Identification of the statutory exceptions permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory exception permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 sole source acquisitions OR FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) soliciting from a single source.

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza (UNTRM) is the only institution that can provide the required services because i) activities for this contract requires collection of human samples in the Amazonas which requires the contractor to have staff and facilities onsite.

UNTRM fulfills this requirement because it has active studies with laboratories and human resources in this region and ii) the PWS requires the contractor to have the appropriate permits for collection of human specimens. UNTRM has approved ethics permits for collection of human specimens.

Because this effort has activities taking place OCONUS (Outside [the] Contiguous United States), and because highly technical expertise is needed for this requirement, competition is extremely limited. UNTRM is the only known institution that has the appropriate research capability: science, technology, resources, experience, and organizational controls needed to accomplish the proposed tasks in the Amazonas.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Market research was performed, the results of which are in paragraph 8. This requirement will be posted to NECO and/or FedBizOpps in accordance with FAR 5.202.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer shall determine the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this Justification and Approval will be fair and reasonable by conducting a price analysis before an award is made.

8. Description of the market survey conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by technical experts in the October 2024 – February 2025 timeframe. This research consisted of reviews of previous procurement history, telephone conferences and in person visits to validate interest, capabilities and availability of resources to provide the research services needed. UNTRM has demonstrated that they have the capability for executing this project due to their demonstrated management capacity of research projects in the target region.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

UNTRM is registered in SAM and is familiar with Peruvian regulations for execution of research activities. Other Universities, companies or institutions located in the region do not perform research activities in malaria nor have active recruitment sites in the required regions for this service.

10. Listing of Sources, if any, which expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

To date, no other sources have written to express an interest. Any sources expressing interest in response to the synopsis will receive consideration.

11. Statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, (contracting activity) has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, (NMRC) will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

12. Point of Contact.

The point of contact at the Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH Lima Peru regarding the contents of the sole source justification is, Javier Gil, who may be reached at 011-511-6144-152.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

BY NAVSUP 4200.83 series

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and approval and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate.

Department Head / Technical Cognizance

LCDR Danielle Pannebaker Phone 511-6144141 EXT.132 Date:

Title: Head Department/Command: Parasitology/NAMRU SOUTH

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Phone Date Contracting Officer Print Name Here:

Department Head / Technical Cognizance