Specific Pathogen-Free Ferrets

Sole Source Notice

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USUHS is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

The mission of the USUHS is to provide the highest quality education programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services.

Intended Recipient: Marshall BioResources, North Rose, New York

Intent to Sole-Source: USUHS intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Marshall BioResources for twenty-four (24) male influenza-free ferrets, ferret boarding fees (per day, per ferret), twenty-four (24) filtered ferret crates, and truck delivery. The ferrets will be used in studies conducted by the USUHS' Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics (APG) department.

Sole Source Justification: Marshall BioResources is the only provider of the specific pathogen free (SPF) ferrets that meet the requirements of the Laboratory of Animal Medicine (LAM) at USU. These ferrets have been used in studies at USU for the past several years and to change the colony of ferrets involved might change the outcome of those studies. Marshall BioResources is the only known source that can provided the requested ferrets. The ferrets will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

In accordance with 5.207(c)(16)(ii), all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and that the interested offeror could provide ferrets that will not alter the outcome of ongoing studies. Information received will be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

Responses must be received via email at amanda.talley@usuhs.edu by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

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