Sources Sought Notice - FINAL.pdf

Sources Sought Notice COVID-19 Testing & Support Services

This Sources Sought Notice is not a Request for Proposal and does not constitute a commitment by the Government. The Government is currently conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, to identify potential sources to fulfill the requirement and gather information on current capabilities of businesses within the market. All information submitted in response to the Sources Sought Notice is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Proprietary information submitted should be marked appropriately. All submitted information shall remain with the U.S. Government and will not be returned.

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), has a requirement for Coronavirus (COVID-19) On-Site Testing and Support Services for the marine and aviation fleet passengers at ten (10) various locations across the nation. The locations consist of the following: Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, FL; OMAO Dive Center at Sand Point in Seattle, WA; as well as NOAA Ships currently ported at the following various locations: Norfolk, VA; Newport, RI; Charleston, SC; Pascagoula, MS; Portsmouth, NH;

Newport, OR; Seattle, WA; and Honolulu, HI.

Introduction & Background OMAO manages and operates NOAA's fleet of sixteen (16) research and survey ships and nine (9) aircraft. Comprised of civilians and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, OMAO also manages the NOAA Diving Program, NOAA Small Boat Program and NOAA Aviation Safety Program.

OMAO’s research and survey ships comprise the largest fleet of federal research ships in the Nation, ranging from large oceanographic research vessels capable of exploring the world’s deepest ocean, to smaller ships responsible for charting the shallow bays and inlets of the United States. The fleet supports a vast range of marine activities including fisheries research, nautical charting, as well as ocean and climate studies. OMAO’s aircraft operate throughout the world providing hurricane reconnaissance and research, marine mammal and fisheries assessment, coastal mapping, and other various imagery support services.

In addition to the critical research and monitoring activities conducted by OMAO’s fleet, OMAO ships and aircraft provide immediate response support for unpredictable, or urgent, events. For example, following a sever hurricane, NOAA ships will conduct emergency surveys for navigational hazards to assist in ensuring pathways are safe for quickly reopening port access within the area. In addition, aerial images of disaster-torn areas—taken by NOAA aircraft—enables residents and emergency workers to verify the condition of homes, bridges and roads.

COVID-19 Testing and Support Services – Requirement Details Types of Diagnostic Testing Requested (either Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Immunoassay (IgG/IgM) testing; preferably both):

A. PCR Testing The testing services provider must provide and use a PCR test that is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved (or on the FDA emergency use approval list found here). The test must be performed by properly trained medical personnel who will conduct on-site retrieval of the nasopharyngeal, or oropharyngeal biological, samples for testing. All contractor personnel conducting the tests must be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for retrieving https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/emergency-use-authorizations the biological samples in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for “Preferred PPE.”

NOAA requires that all personnel conducting the tests use N95 high-grade masks, face shields, nitrile gloves, and protective gowns. Additional information regarding the required PPE can be found here. The tests may either be processed using a PCR analyzer on-site or sent to a local laboratory for processing results within 48 hours of receiving samples.

If samples will be processed off-site, all appropriate viral media for collection and shipment (to include freezing and Hazardous Material packaging) must be provided by the testing services provider. Test results must be made available to the individual and OMAO electronically, within 48 hours of receiving samples.

The testing services provider must be able to perform testing at each of the various site locations, determined at a later date by NOAA. The vendor is responsible for the removal and appropriate disposal of all waste.

B. Immunoassay (IgG/IgM) Testing The testing services provider must be able to draw a blood sample independently using proper PPE, in accordance with CDC and OSHA guidelines for “Preferred PPE.” NOAA requires that all personnel conducting the tests use N95 high-grade masks, face shields, nitrile gloves, and protective gowns. Additional information regarding the required PPE can be found here. The tests may either be processed using a PCR analyzer on-site or sent to a local laboratory for processing results within 48 hours of receiving samples.

If samples will be processed off-site, all appropriate viral media for collection and shipment (to include freezing and Hazardous Material packaging) must be provided by the testing services provider. Test results must be made available to the individual and OMAO electronically, within 48 hours of receiving samples.

The testing services provider must be able to perform testing at each of the various site locations, determined at a later date by NOAA. The vendor is responsible for the removal and appropriate disposal of all waste.

Training Requirements Contractor staff must be trained in the appropriate procedures for sample retrieval and the processing of samples for testing. All staff must be cleared and trained under 29 CFR 1910.1030 for Blood borne Pathogen Exposure standard training. All staff must be trained to follow CDC guidelines for PPE use during sample collection and processing. All staff must be properly licensed or certified by a local, state, or federal governing body with jurisdiction over the location in which they are performing and be in good standing.

Place of Performance The locations consist of the following: Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, FL; OMAO Dive Center at Sand Point in Seattle, WA; as well as NOAA Ships currently ported at the following various locations:

Norfolk, VA; Newport, RI; Charleston, SC; Pascagoula, MS; Portsmouth, NH; Newport, OR; Seattle, WA; and Honolulu, HI. Vendors are asked to list other localities where they will be able to provide COVID-19 testing support. It is possible that additional locations within the “Contiguous United States (CONUS)” and “outside of the Contiguous United States (OCONUS)” will also require this support across NOAA and will be identified at a later date, as needed.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/A_FS_HCP_COVID19_PPE_11x17.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/A_FS_HCP_COVID19_PPE_11x17.pdf

OMAO requests that capable testing service providers describe space needs required to provide on-site services. For example, does the provider have a mobile testing site (this is preferred) or does space need to be allocated within an indoor facility on-site or near the ported ship locations? If, alternatively, the tests must be performed at a local fixed facility (e.g. Urgent Care Center, Occupational Health Clinic, Hospital-based clinic), please list the location(s) within a twenty (20) mile radius of the specified location(s) and describe the circumstances and testing applicable to each location, if not all the same.

Response Requirements (Limited to 10 pages total) Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall submit a statement of capabilities, not to exceed ten (10) pages, encompassing the following information:

(1) Company Profile

a. Company Name;

b. Company Address;

c. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number;

d. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code applicable and corresponding business size for the NAICS Code(s) indicated;

e. Small Business Administration (SBA) certified small business concern status and/or socio-economic status (if applicable);

f. Primary point of contact information and Secondary point of contact (Name, Title, Phone, and Email).

(2) Capability Demonstration

a. Firms must identify the availability of tests described above (PCR and/or Immunoassay), FDA Approval, percentage accuracy (95%+ sensitivity and 98%+ specificity required at a minimum), as well as any relevant details regarding shipment/receipt of items;

b. It is preferred by the Government for all testing and support services to be performed on-site and responses must specify the intended location, process of conducting testing, as well as time for processing and providing results (less than 48 hours required at a minimum). If vendors recommend an alternate location, the following details must be provided: the process of transporting sample tests to laboratory (must confirm the laboratory is certified under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), 42 U.S.C. § 263a to perform high complexity tests as an “authorized laboratory”), list of nearby location(s) within twenty (20) miles of each specified location above and details of facility;

c. Firms must provide a brief explanation of the process used to ensure appropriate privacy and security controls are taken in the transmission of electronic data;

d. Manufacturer of tests or list of available sources providing equipment for use in support of this effort;

e. Should a firm not have the full capability within, vendors must demonstrate teaming arrangements or subcontractors in order to be considered fully capable.

Government Point of Contact Company brochures will not be considered in lieu of a capability statement. Interested firms shall submit their statement of capabilities to Jennifer Peters, Contract Specialist, at Jennifer.Peters@noaa.gov and Ashley Perry, Contracting Officer, at Ashley.Perry@noaa.gov by no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 29, 2020. Any questions or responses regarding this notice must be submitted to Jennifer Peters via the above email address provided. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely to conduct informed decisions regarding the potential procurement strategy of this requirement. No telephone requests will be honored. Firms that are interested in subcontracting opportunities related to portions of this requirement should contact potential firms directly.

mailto:Jennifer.Peters@noaa.gov mailto:Ashley.Perry@noaa.gov