Notice of Intent to Sole Source to AVIAN VACCINE SERVICES LLC 480 Research Grade Eggs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to AVIAN VACCINE SERVICES LLC,  1 WISCONSIN AVE NORWICH, CT 06360-1515 to deliver 480 specific pathogen free (SPF) fertile chicken eggs. 

The WHO recommends that influenza vaccine seed candidates are produced in SPF- embryonated chicken eggs. The vaccine seed candidates must have the antigenic properties of the recommended strain and improved growth properties for more efficient vaccine production. SPF eggs are produced under strictly isolated conditions to guarantee the absence of all disease agents and antibodies against specified agents, which are laid down in the European Pharmacopoeia and by the USDA. SPF eggs are generally used for all live vaccines and also for inactivated vaccines. NCIRD/ID currently participates in two projects to produce vaccine seed candidates. One project involves the production of high-growth vaccine seed candidates using high-growth reassortants, and the other produces seed candidates for live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV).

SPF fertile chicken eggs provided by Avian Vaccine Services (company name formerly Charles River) have been used for egg isolation of candidate vaccine viruses in the NCIRD/ID for over ten years. Changing the source of eggs can affect the genetic content and potential quality of resulting isolates. To ensure consistency in the production of candidate vaccine virus quality, the NCIRD/ID seeks to continue obtaining SPF eggs from Avian Vaccine Services.

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 13.106-1(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(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 responses received by December 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time 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 Marie Bartkevicius at mbartkevicius@cdc.gov by 10:00 a.m. EST on December 18, 2023.