Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Laboratory investigation of the human host response to vaccines using validated ELISA and PRNT50 end-point titers in support of USAMRIID

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to award a Firm Fixed Price, sole source purchase order on behalf of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to Bavarian Nordic, Inc. located in Morrisville, NC 27560-5440, under the authority as prescribed in FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), only one source reasonably available that will satisfy agency requirements.  This requirement is for the laboratory investigation of the human host response to vaccines using validated ELISA and PRNT50 end-point titers on approximately 400 serum samples collected under USAMRIID clinical trial FY14-13 entitled, “A comparison of the 6-year antibody response to ACAM2000 and DRYVAX smallpox vaccines”.

Bavarian Nordic, Inc. is the only vendor with access to the proprietary, validated assays required to satisfy the Government’s requirement.  Further, due to the critical need for continuity to compare results the same assays must be used or the study could be invalidated.  Given the information above, Bavarian Nordic, Inc. is the only vendor capable of providing the services needed to meet the government’s need.   

This notice of intent is NOT a request for quotations (RFQ) and no solicitation document exists for the requirement; however, if a vendor challenges the basis for this requirement, please submit a capability statement that includes sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to provide these services.  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.  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 the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source procurement.

Capability statements are due no later than 1000 Eastern Time, 10 August 2020.  Capability statements shall be submitted via email ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following email address: jayme.l.fletcher2.civ@mail.mil.  No phone calls will be accepted.