Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to award a sole source cost reimbursable modification to The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund (Tulane).  Tulane was awarded contract 75D30120C08472 with a Statement of Work titled “Immune Response to SARS CoV-2 in Special Populations” in response to the FY2020 competitive COVID-19 research Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) #75D301-20-R-67897 for Applied Research to Address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emerging Public Health Emergency.  The study results the CDC expects from the Tulane research study include: (a) an explanation for the high mortality (and expected morbidity) observed in Louisiana in terms of clinical and biological (virus and host) risk factors, and (b) a clear description of where (which body sites), and for how long, an infected subject sheds virus, including distinction between live/intact virus versus fragments detected by conventional or high sensitivity methods.  An understanding of the results of these study objectives is crucial for the CDC to improve prevention measures and guidelines, particularly in high risk populations. CDC has determined that Tulane’s study cohort, with a few revisions and additional time provided through this modification, will yield a more robust and timely understanding to better inform important public health determinations in the particular demographics associated with the Orleans Parish group. 

Tulane is the only contractor that can meet HHS/CDC/DDID/NCIRD/DVD’s needs because the work is an increased level of effort of the Tulane study conducted under Contract # 75D30120C08472. Tulane’s study is built from the Orleans Parish primary cohort, includes already collected the data and bio-samples from the Orleans Parish, has existing IRB approvals for the study, and is the only study capable of supporting this unique population.

The proposed revisions will expand the original Tulane objectives to include: (a) an explanation for the high mortality (and expected morbidity) observed in Louisiana; (b) an assessment of independent clinical and biological (virus and host) risk factors for severe illness; (c) a clear description of where (which body sites) and for how long an infected subject sheds virus, including distinction between live/intact virus versus fragments detected by conventional or high sensitivity methods; (d) an assessment of SARS-CoV-2 shedding over time and by body site, including assessment of RNA levels and presence of culturable virus; (e) a comparison of illness severity and outcomes associated with different SARS-CoV-2 variants; (f) the characterization of the immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection over time; and (g) a description of longer term outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection and analysis of independent risk factors.

This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within fourteen (14) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government.  A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  Any quotation/response should be emailed to Christina McMichael at wpn6@cdc.gov by April 29, 2021 at 4:00 PM EST.

Awarded contract 75D30120C08472 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2020-06-15.