Inactive

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award, on a sole source basis, a firm-fixed price purchase order to The Regents of the University of Colorado DBA University of Colorado-Denve... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award, on a sole source basis, a firm-fixed price purchase order to The Regents of the University of Colorado DBA University of Colorado-Denver, 13001 E 17th Place F428, Aurora, CO 80045-2571, to provide Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) case classification support services. This includes, but is not limited to reviewing and classifying patients under investigation, providing expert consultation on AFM surveillance and neurologic diagnoses, and providing input and engagement in outstanding and/or difficult cases. The anticipated period of performance is a one (1) year period of performance beginning at date of award which is anticipated to occur no later than 1 September 2022. AFM is a serious neurologic illness with unknown etiology that results in paralysis of the arms and legs. After the first outbreak of AFM in 2014 CDC began standardized surveillance in the United States to characterize the disease burden and explore potential etiologies and epidemiologic associations. CDC is seeking additional clinical support to provide expert consultation and evaluation of AFM cases, including classification of cases and expertise in determining risk factors and potential etiologies. The service provider will provide expert neurologic consultation for AFM case classification and augment the neurology panel for outbreak response efforts. AFM case classification involves an in-depth review of spinal and brain MRIs and other medical documents including MRI reports and neurology consult notes. The University of Colorado has more than 5 years of experience conducting AFM case classification at CDC. In addition, this service provider has advanced training and experience in treating the full spectrum of neurological disorders including AFM. The University of Colorado is well equipped to provide expert consultation on AFM Surveillance, neurologic diagnoses, and physicians’ education to increase AFM recognition and reporting. It is very important to maintain neurologist capacity and to maintain consistency and accuracy in case review. The neuro-epidemiologist’s institutional memory and understanding of AFM is exclusive among neurologists since the neuro-epidemiologist at the University of Colorado investigated the first cluster of AFM in 2014. Understanding the clinical nuances of AFM and developing expertise in surveillance and outbreak response for this rare condition requires time. As we prepare for a possible outbreak of AFM this summer, any other potential provider may compromise the consistency and accuracy of the AFM surveillance. Furthermore, the University of Colorado is uniquely positioned to conduct AFM case classification given its track record of clinical research investigations into AFM, non-polio enteroviruses, and EV-D68 surveillance, with successful collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Picornavirus Laboratory. The University of Colorado has the expertise that combines knowledge of neurology and epidemiology with extensive experience in AFM surveillance. There are no known neuro-epidemiologists other than through the University of Colorado Denver with the ability to provide these services. This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within the “date offers due” established in this notice will 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. All offers/responses should be emailed to Mark Draluck at syq1@cdc.gov by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 28 July 2022.