Inactive
Notice ID:ADVFY20RD100012
The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) is seeking sources for the services of a research institution that can collect appropriate samples from human subjects, vertebrate disease reservoir species ...
The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) is seeking sources for the services of a research institution that can collect appropriate samples from human subjects, vertebrate disease reservoir species and entomological vectors and conduct laboratory experiments for pathogen detection on these specimens. Additionally, the institution must have the ability to identify mosquito, ticks, triatomines and sand fly specimens. In this regard, this project will allow the execution of malaria and trypanosomatids surveillance activities in Colombia to generate actionable data that can be used for the benefit of the war-fighter. Tropical infectious diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis and Chagas are important public health problems for US military operational readiness in endemic countries as well as civilian populations. Colombia is a key SOUTHCOM strategic partner and an endemic region for vector-borne diseases. In this regard, there is a need to assess risk in military relevant areas and provide actionable data to inform policies and prevention strategies for the benefit of the war fighter and our partner nations. Establishing surveillance activities in Colombia requires the services of a research institution that have well established capacities for fieldwork, enrollment of human subjects and collection of specimens from reservoirs and vectors as well as laboratory capacities for standard and molecular methods for pathogen detection. This effort requires: General classes of services including (but not limited to) project management, provision of clinical, entomological and animal reservoir samples, laboratory testing, shipment of samples, data analysis and reporting Provide malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas and tick-borne diseases incidence data available from direct sources such as active human subject studies or indirectly from local health authorities to correlate with vector densities and species composition. The contractor shall follow all provisions of the human use protocol approved by the NAMRU-6 Institutional Review Board (protocol NAMRU6.2020.0006: Development and GMP manufacture of malaria parasite to use for controlled human malaria infection) and/or other IRB Coordinate execution of sentinel surveillance activities in the form of passive or active surveillance of tropical parasitic diseases across the Uraba region with local point of contacts at sites in Turbo, Apartadó, Carepa, San Pedro de Uraba, Necocli and Quibdo Obtain all permits required for collection of entomological specimens Coordinate entomological collection activities with NAMRU-6 Entomology and local partners A minimum of 200 clinical samples collected in the sentinel surveillance study; A minimum of 50 clinical samples collected in the malaria CHMI study; A minimum of 20 specimens from animal reservoirs in the sentinel surveillance study; Nucleic acid material obtained from collected samples for PCR analysis; Demographic, clinical and laboratory test results of collected samples in Colombia; A minimum of 1000 entomological specimens collected in the sentinel surveillance study; A minimum of 500 Anopheles specimens collected in the malaria CHMI study; Nucleic acid and PCR analysis of entomological specimens. A maximum of 1500 specimens will be tested, Where required, the contractor will follow all provisions of the human use protocol approved by the NAMRU-6 Institutional Review Board (protocol NAMRU6.2020.0006: Development and GMP manufacture of malaria parasite to use for controlled human malaria infection) and/or other IRB. The period of performance is expected to be one 12 month base period and two 12 month option periods. If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NMLC intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (one source) to Universidad de Antioquia Cl. 67 ##53-108, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, for the performance of the described requirement. The Universidad de Antioquia is among the best universities in Colombia with active study sites in the Antioquia and Choco states and a long record of research in tropical infectious diseases. The university has conducted cohort studies in the department of Choco, pathogen detection with real time PCR and other molecular methods and drug resistance surveillance using sequencing techniques. The university has a fruitful relationship with the Colombian Ministry of Health and the Colombian Army that facilitates the execution of surveillance activities in military relevant areas. This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management and technical data and cost information in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to perform the required work. Capability statements shall not exceed 5 (8.5 x 11 inch) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract. Capability statements are due by 5:00 PM Local Time, 17 April 2020. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: donald.a.biebel.civ@mail.mil.
