Human Blood and Serum

Request for Information (RFI)

Blood and Serum

General Information:

This is an RFI as defined in FAR 15.201(e) to ascertain whether a commercial item exists that provides the capabilities described herein.   

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.  All information received in response to this RFI will be treated as business confidential information.  Nonetheless, submitters should properly mark their responses if the information is confidential.  Responses to the RFI will not be returned.  Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.  Responders are solely responsible for all expense associated with responding to this RFI.

RFI Response and due date: 2 June 2020

Instructions to Responders:

Responses from all capable and qualified sources are encouraged to respond to this request. 

White papers should adhere to the following formatting and outline instructions:

1.   All submissions shall be made electronically and be in one of the following formats: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF.

2. Cover Page (1page)

• Title
• Organization
• Responders technical and administrative points of contact (names, addresses, phone, fax number and email addresses)
• Topic area(s) addressed

3.   Completed Attachment 1 and Attachment 2.  Please note that the response shall provide sufficient technical data to determine how you fully meet the requirements as specified in Attachment 2. 

Please note that responses are due no later than 2 June 2020, 12:00pm, Eastern.  The preferred method of submission is via email, SUBJECT: Blood and Serum.  The point of contact for this action is Dawn Jennings, Contract Specialist, dawn.v.jennings.civ@mail.mil.  Only electronic responses are requested.  No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents.  At this time no solicitation exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation.  NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.  It is the responsibility of any potential offeror to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

Background/Overview:  

The purpose of this requirement is to supply the Entomology Branch with screened human blood products in support of malaria vaccine research.  Human blood products are required for in vitro culture of human malaria parasites and the production of infected mosquitoes in support of US Military Malaria Vaccine Program.  The Entomology Branch, WRAIR cultures human malaria parasites and produces mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum parasites for research studies and for clinical trials of malaria vaccines and drugs.

  WRAIR is seeking a contract to provide the following supply items according to the delivery schedule and the minimum essential characteristics specified within Attachment 2:

1.  One (1) unit of O+ human, male, packed red cells, collected with CPDA-1 anticoagulant, to be delivered every 2 weeks. 
2. Ten (10) units of A+, human male serum, collected ‘off-the-clot’, to be delivered with the second blood shipment of each month.  Serum will be liquid, never frozen.