Continuation of studies for viral febrile and respiratory surveillance conducted under N62645-17-C-4027

Notice of Intent

The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (One source) to Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Peru for research and development support services for two studies - viral febrile and respiratory surveillance.
These studies are a continuation of the studies provided under contract N62645-17-C-4027 for the same services. This effort requires:

• carrying out coordination and obtainment of study authorization from local health facilities to perform the study;
• obtainment of local IRB approval;
• recruitment of and training local health personnel for performing the study;
• screening at least 300 potential study participants per year per site; performing the informed consent process as described in the protocol;
• collecting all the study approved information and biological samples (oropharyngeal swabs, total blood and serum);
• labeling and keeping of samples in adequate cold-chain conditions to preserve viruses; maintenance of all forms with identifiers in a locked office inside the site;
• preparation of biological samples for shipments to NAMRU-6 in adequate cold-chain conditions; shipment of samples in proper cold-chain conditions to NAMRU-6;
• delivery to NAMRU-6 of all samples collected as part of the study, consent/assent documents, and all epidemiological forms; and,
• reporting laboratory results provided by NAMRU-6 to local health authorities.

All activities must be carried out with the utmost adherence to all ethical and quality standards in order to minimize risk of performance slips and comply with appropriation of funds and expectations of the sponsor.

The base period of performance is expected to begin on 28 September 2018 through 27 September 2019, followed by one 12-month option period.

If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NMLC intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (One source) to Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Peru, for the performance of the described requirement.

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) is the only source able to meet our research needs for both Peru and the greater Latina American region. UPCH has a large trajectory of research in infectious and tropical diseases, mainly in viruses. This institution is the only one with the required local approvals in place, the appropriate financial, human and technical resources, experience and organizational controls needed to accomplish the study's goals.

This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management and technical data and cost information in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to perform the required work. Capability statements shall not exceed five (8.5 x 11 inch) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract.

Capability statements are due by 5:00 PM Local Time, 15 April 2018. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following addresses: cheryl.r.vendemia.civ@mail.mil.

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Notice of Intent

The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (One source) to Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Peru for research and development support services for two studies - viral febrile and respiratory surveillance.
These studies are a continuation of the studies provided under contract N62645-17-C-4027 for the same services. This effort requires:

• carrying out coordination and obtainment of study authorization from local health facilities to perform the study;
• obtainment of local IRB approval;
• recruitment of and training local health personnel for performing the study;
• screening at least 300 potential study participants per year per site; performing the informed consent process as described in the protocol;
• collecting all the study approved information and biological samples (oropharyngeal swabs, total blood and serum);
• labeling and keeping of samples in adequate cold-chain conditions to preserve viruses; maintenance of all forms with identifiers in a locked office inside the site;
• preparation of biological samples for shipments to NAMRU-6 in adequate cold-chain conditions; shipment of samples in proper cold-chain conditions to NAMRU-6;
• delivery to NAMRU-6 of all samples collected as part of the study, consent/assent documents, and all epidemiological forms; and,
• reporting laboratory results provided by NAMRU-6 to local health authorities.

All activities must be carried out with the utmost adherence to all ethical and quality standards in order to minimize risk of performance slips and comply with appropriation of funds and expectations of the sponsor.

The base period of performance is expected to begin on 28 September 2018 through 27 September 2019, followed by one 12-month option period.

If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NMLC intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (One source) to Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Peru, for the performance of the described requirement.

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) is the only source able to meet our research needs for both Peru and the greater Latina American region. UPCH has a large trajectory of research in infectious and tropical diseases, mainly in viruses. This institution is the only one with the required local approvals in place, the appropriate financial, human and technical resources, experience and organizational controls needed to accomplish the study's goals.

This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management and technical data and cost information in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to perform the required work. Capability statements shall not exceed five (8.5 x 11 inch) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract.

Capability statements are due by 5:00 PM Local Time, 15 April 2018. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following addresses: cheryl.r.vendemia.civ@mail.mil.