Transfer of Macaques to Born Free USA Sanctuary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price contract under FAR 6.103-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, to Born Free USA for:

Securing permanent housing of up to 162 NHPs and the responsibility for providing them a safe, compliant, and humane long-term sanctuary. The vendor shall take full ownership of the NHPs once they are loaded onto transports at CDC’s loading docks and shall provide full veterinary oversight, including chronic disease management. In addition, the contractor shall implement structured social group formation, behavioral rehabilitation, provide comprehensive lifetime care, and have sole custody and ownership for each animal. The overall objective is to ensure the seamless and humane transfer of all CDC animals into naturalistic and enriched environments that support their physical and behavioral health, within facilities that are compliant with standards set by the GFAS and that maintain these animals as set by applicable animal welfare regulations and standards.  The transport of the animals must comply with all relevant state and federal transport regulations, as well as any weather or temperature limitations that affect the safe movement of the animals.

Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary is a GFAS-accredited sanctuary with demonstrated experience in the long-term care, housing, veterinary management, and social integration of macaques. Based on market research, Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary is the only GFAS-accredited source that can satisfy CDC’s combined requirements for accreditation, species expertise, capacity, and performance schedule. The facility is in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations part 1), The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other federal policies and guidance as applicable that provide national standards for the acquisition, transportation, housing, control, maintenance, handling, treatment, care, use and disposal of animals. This acquisition needs to be completed expeditiously as the CDC currently maintains roughly 160 macaques in indoor housing designed for quarantine and research activities. Their current living situation is not beneficial to the animals and they need to be rehomed as soon as possible. It was discovered during market research that Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary can take custody of these animals on a schedule that aligns with CDC’s required transition timeline. Born Free requires approximately 12 weeks to build additional enclosures necessary to house the CDC macaques. Following this construction, animals can be transported on a phased basis in cohorts of approximately 25 animals per shipment until the transfer is complete. This schedule is materially shorter than the timeframes identified for other sanctuary options during market research and is therefore the only schedule identified that would permit transfer within CDC’s required timeframe as determined by the funding available for their care and housing at CDC. This expedited timeframe greatly reduces stress on the animals and ensures their health and well-being are the top priority. Continued retention of the animals at CDC would require the agency to maintain them in facilities intended for quarantine and research support rather than long-term sanctuary care, delaying placement in an environment better suited to their long-term husbandry and behavioral management. A fully competed procurement would delay this transfer unnecessarily and would be detrimental to the welfare of the animals.

This acquisition involves unusual and compelling urgency because CDC currently maintains roughly 160 macaques in indoor housing designed for quarantine and research activities. Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary can take custody of these animals on a schedule that aligns with CDC’s required transition timeline. Based on information obtained during market research, Born Free requires approximately 12 weeks to build additional enclosures necessary to house the CDC macaques. Following this construction, animals can be transported on a phased basis in cohorts of approximately 25 animals per shipment until the transfer is complete. This schedule is materially shorter than the timeframes identified for other sanctuary options during market research and is therefore the only schedule identified that would permit transfer within CDC’s required timeframe. Continued retention of the animals at CDC would require the agency to maintain them in facilities intended for quarantine and research support rather than long-term sanctuary care, delaying placement in an environment better suited to their long-term husbandry and behavioral management. Because a competed procurement would add additional time before award and performance could begin, CDC would be required to continue relying on interim housing for a longer period, which would further delay transition to an appropriate long-term setting.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within 15 days of the issuance of this notice shall 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 xuy7@cdc.gov by 6:00 am EDT May 28, 2026.