RFI: Expanded Laboratory Operations & Scientific Analysis Support for the NAMRU-3 Ghana Detachment

SYNOPSIS

This is a Request for Information (RFI) for planning purposes only, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will NOT pay for information and materials received in response to this RFI and is no way obligated by the information received. This notice is for market research purposes only to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified performer sources, (1) including small businesses; HUB Zone small businesses; service-disabled small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; small disadvantaged businesses; and universities and educational institutions, (2) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for the proposed acquisition. The applicable NAICS Code is 541380 - Testing Laboratories. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method for expanded laboratory operations and scientific analysis support for the Naval Medical Research Unit No. Three (NAMRU-3) Ghana Detachment located in Accra, Ghana. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of issuing this RFI is to gather information that will assist in the determination of a suitable acquisition solution for providing: (1) management support between the US Government and potential foreign personnel and organizations located at the client's site or Area of Responsibility (AOR); and (2) active, field-based biosurveillance, laboratory testing and scientific analysis, and host nation laboratory capacity building for research and development (R&D) related to emerging infectious diseases. The latter may include but not be limited to: (a) collection of pathogenic samples and specimens (e.g., swabs, blood draws); (b) support for entomological studies (e.g. vector mapping and control, and the collection and taxonomy of arthropods of medical importance); (c) support for etiological lab analyses of collected specimens to include conventional bacteriology, parasitology, immunology, and basic to advanced diagnostics in Biosafety Level Two (BSL-2) or less conditions; (d) specimen accessioning and archiving; (e) data entry and analysis services to support the aforementioned laboratory studies, (f) field testing of advanced diagnostic devices (e.g., novel field deployable rapid assays), (g) ancillary laboratory support services to include (but not be limited to) janitorial services, supply management, medical waste disposal, equipment maintenance and other laboratory operations support services; (h) assisting in training programs designed to boost host nation laboratory capacity; and (i) other R&D activities performed in consonance with the mission of the NAMRU-3 and its Ghana Detachment.

The primary sites of performance for this potential requirement are the NAMRU-3 Ghana Detachment headquarters in Accra, Ghana, and various hospitals, Ghana Armed Forces medical facilities, collaborating institutions, and field surveillance sites around Ghana and in surrounding West Africa partner countries. Due to the unique requirements involved with performance in OCONUS/Foreign locations, interested parties to this RFI should address - in addition to the technical aspects above - capability and familiarity with engaging foreign personnel and subcontracting with foreign (including governmental) entities and ensuring compliance with local laws and observances, and US Department of State requirements, especially as they relate to the CENTCOM and AFRICOM Areas of Responsibility (AOR), and the West Africa region.

Respondents are invited to describe services and materials related to their capabilities to fulfill ANY OR ALL of the inquiries listed above. Respondents should provide responses whether their level of interest and current capability is to fulfill the entire scope of the effort, or a limited aspect of the effort, such as teaming as a subcontractor with another firm.

Submission Instructions: Responses shall be submitted and received via Email to jeremy.d.michaels.civ@mail.mil no later than 25 April 2016. Documents shall be no more than 15 pages total, electronic in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and/or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and provided as attachments to the Email. No telephonic responses to this RFI will be considered.

All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Please provide information on your organization (not counted towards page limitations shown above):

1. Company Name, Address and Single Point of Contact with Name, Title, Telephone Number and E-mail Address.
2. DUNS Number and Cage Code
3. Confirmation of Current Active Registration in System for Award Management (SAM), SAM registration information may be found at the following website: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM
4. Primary NAICS Code(s) and Business Size (i.e., small/large)