Inactive

The Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC) is seeking sources for the services of a research institution that can collect appropriate samples from human subjects and conduct laboratory expe... The Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC) is seeking sources for the services of a research institution that can collect appropriate samples from human subjects and conduct laboratory experiments for pathogen detection on these specimens. Additionally, studying immunity against malaria vector salivary proteins requires the service of a research institution that can characterize antibodies against these mosquito proteins in malaria patients from Colombia. In this regard, this project will allow the execution of surveillance activities in the border region between Colombia and Venezuela and explore means to provide actionable data that can be used for the benefit of the war fighter, as well as identifying molecules that significantly contribute to protective immunity against malaria. Tropical infectious diseases pose a significant threat to the individual readiness of U.S. forces during all phases of operations in many countries throughout the world such as the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of operations. While there are no armed conflicts between the US and countries in South America, more than 50,000 US military personnel rotate through this region each year. Columbia is a key country in South America having access to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and has a strategic location in the SOUTHCOM region as the transition between South and Central America. This country is an endemic region for tropical infectious diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, dengue, zika and other re-emerging or emerging pathogens accounting for thousands of cases each year. Establishing the surveillance capacity for Naval Medical Research Unit Six (NAMRU-6) in Colombia requires the services of an on-site research institution that can collect the samples and conduct laboratory experiments for pathogen characterization. This effort requires: Secure all ethical approvals and regulatory permits required for collecting specimens in Colombia and shipping them to NAMRU-6 Parasitology, Entomology and Virology and Emerging Infections. Coordinate execution of fieldwork activities with local point of contacts in the Norte de Santander region and other field sites if required. Collect at least 200 human clinical specimens for malaria detection from endemic sites in the Colombia/Venezuela border and store blood samples or filter paper depending on logistics and capability at each field site. Perform malaria screening by microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests, or other methods on a minimum 170 specimens. Collect whole blood and serum samples from up to six samples per month for film array testing. Perform molecular test (FilmArray) on at least 80% of collected specimens from volunteers with febrile symptom that are negative for malaria or dengue. This activity will depend on the availability of the equipment and reagents that will be provided by NAMRU-6. Provide clinical specimens and data collected for malaria screening to NAMRU-6 under the scope of protocol NAMRU6.2018.0002. Provide clinical specimens and data collected for film array testing to NAMRU-6 under the scope of protocol NAMRU6.2018.0003. Provide data collection information on enrolment site up to the district level, clinical symptoms and other relevant epidemiological data as requested by NAMRU-6 Parasitology and Virology and Emerging Infections (VEID) Departments. Provide monthly reports to NAMRU-6 on the number of screened and collected specimens. Provide input for report and scientific manuscripts preparation. If required, perform one shipment of collected specimens to NAMRU-6 Parasitology or VEID in Lima, Peru. Government furnished equipment: NAMRU-6 will provide the following equipment to the contractor: BioFire FilmArray 2.0, Serial number: 2FA08813-I Laptop Hewlett Packard, Model ProBook 640-G2, Serial number: 5CG0354YML (accessory to 2FA08813-I) The BioFire FilmArray will be located at Emiro Quintero Cañizarez Hospital in Ocaña, Norte de Santander, Colombia or another location as requested by NAMRU-6. This equipment will be returned to NAMRU-6 when the contract ends. Where required, the contractor will follow all provisions of the human use protocol approved by the NAMRU-6 Institutional Review Board (protocol 2022-420) and/or other IRB. The base period of performance is a one-year period of performance with optional extension period for two additional years. If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NMRLC intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (One source) to Tulane University in Colombia, for the performance of the described requirement. Tulane University has demonstrated they have the capability for executing this project due to their demonstrated management capacity of research projects across Colombia. Activities for this contract require collection of human samples in the region of the Colombia/Venezuela border which requires the contractor to have staff and facilities in both regions. Tulane University currently has active studies with laboratories and human resources in this region. In addition, Tulane has approved ethics permits for collection of human specimens in Colombia (protocol 2022-420) and is able to export samples out of Colombia as the University has an export permit from the Colombian government. 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 five (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 determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract. Capability statements are due by 10:00 AM Local Time, 20 July 2023. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following addresses: lorri.j.loveland.civ@health.mil .