Notice of Intent to Sole Source-the professional service for an Exome Sequencing Analyst in Support of National Birth Defects Prevention Study Data

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION for a firm fixed price contract to University of Washingon (UW).

We propose a service contract with the University of Washington. University of Washingon will be responsible for the professional service for an Exome Sequencing Analyst in Support of National Birth Defects Prevention Study Data.

The purpose of this service is to continue to build genetic capacity for birth defects research. Most NBDPS Centers do not have the storage or analytic capacity for exome sequencing data. UW-CRDR staff has sequenced exomes of more than 300 family trios with at least one of 4 birth defects, provided technical assistance to NBDPS investigators who are analyzing exome sequencing data from any of the 14 defect groups, and led analysis of data from family trios with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

The required service cannot be provided by another entity given the highly specialized nature of the service and need to maintain consistency with an on-going project. In 2014, CDC funded exome sequencing of case family trios with one of 14 birth defects. Staff at the University of Washington (UW) sequenced exomes of more than 300 family trios with at least one of four birth defects in NBDPS; led and collaborated on analyses of data from family trios with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and heterotaxy, respectively; reprocessed the raw data from the other 10 defect groups that were sequenced at NIH’s Intramural Sequencing Center; and provided technical assistance to NBDPS investigators who are analyzing exome sequencing data from all 14 defect groups

Service needs are specialized and are not solely conducted by automated pipelines; it requires extensive knowledge of structural birth defects and the nuances of exome sequencing rare conditions. Research techniques must be compatible with those that had been conducted on other NBDPS defect groups at UW with UW’s technical expertise. Two defect groups remain to be analyzed using UW’s internal controls. A less experienced vendor and lack of specialized technical expertise gained from the previous work with the NBDPS defect groups will negatively impact the exome sequencing project quality and consistency, and will result in delayed completion of the project. The consistency of analysis of the on-going NBDPS sequencing project will be compromised if the service is conducted by another entity.

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 6.302-1 and 10 U.S.C. 3406. 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 fifteen (15) 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 contract specialist at cbp0@cdc.gov by COB 29 July, 2023.