SSJ_Signed_Redacted.pdf

Version 2.0 19Aug2020

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

Serological Analyses for Pathogens in Alaskan Pinnipeds

1. Agency and contracting activity.

Department of Commerce NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) Western Acquisition Division Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

NOAA’s Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML), requires services to conduct serologic analyses to detect exposure to pathogens in Alaskan pinnipeds. From 2009 – 2024, the MML has collected 86 serum samples from Alaskan pinnipeds and the MML expects to collect more samples in the near future. All of these samples need to be analyzed.

The serum samples will be analyzed with the card agglutination test to test for antibodies to Brucella spp. The serum samples will also be analyzed with the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to test for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona.

These samples will add valuable data about exposure to these pathogens in pinnipeds in Alaska, which will be essential for monitoring and assessing health and condition of these populations in the future. The expected delivery date for results and a final report with raw data and conclusions is September 30, 2025.

Proposed performance period:

Base Period; 5 years (Sept 15, 2024 – Sept 30, 2029) Option Period; 5 years (Oct 1, 2029 – Sept 30, 2034)

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

One Health Institute School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis, CA 95616

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

Other - Only one source is capable Although serologic assays for pathogen exposure can be performed by many labs, each lab has protocols and equipment that are specific to that lab. Small differences between labs have the potential to produce slightly different results despite using the same overall methods, so it can be difficult to compare results from different labs for some serologic tests for pathogens. Additionally, a statistical model using results from different labs to compare pathogen exposure among different pinniped species, years, age classes, and sexes would require a model with additional parameters to explain any variability due to different testing labs, which in turn, increases the risks of inflating or masking any differences among variables mentioned above.

Serum samples from Alaskan pinnipeds, collected in 2009-2022, have already been analyzed in Patricia Conrad’s lab at UC Davis for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona, using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The MML has collected additional serum samples during the 2024 field season (and will continue to collect more of these types of samples in the future) from Alaskan pinnipeds that need to be analyzed for exposure to these parasites. The Conrad lab has already analyzed serum from these species using the IFA test, and it is critical that the same lab test the additional serum samples so that results from different years of testing will be comparable. It is best practice for serological tests to have one lab perform all procedures so that the results will be consistent when tested in different years.

Serum samples from Alaskan pinnipeds collected in 2014-2022 have been analyzed for Brucella antibodies by the Marine Ecosystem Health Diagnostic and Surveillance Laboratory at UC Davis using the Brucella card agglutination test. We have additional samples collected during the 2024 field season that need to be analyzed and will continue to collect more of these samples in the future. Testing for Brucella antibodies is notoriously difficult, and obtaining comparable results from tests at different labs is problematic. Thus, it is critical that the same lab that analyzed our previous samples for this pathogen conducts the testing for the remaining samples.

5. Market Research.

The Marine Ecosystem Health Diagnostic and Surveillance Laboratory at UC Davis has already analyzed serum samples from pinnipeds for Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona using the IFA test. The same lab analyzed our previous pinniped samples for Brucella antibodies, and obtaining comparable results for Brucella serological tests is known to be challenging. Therefore, these labs at UC Davis are the only sources capable of fulfilling the Government’s needs on this contract.

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date

Date

7. Determination (Required)

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date

07'00'

7/18/24

Digitally signed by

CASWELL.SANDRA.ANN.1073

426363 Date: 2024.07.18 16:36:06 -10'00'