Notice of Intent for Sole Source for M.I.S.T. Evaluation Gender PPE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to procure data from performing Man-In-Simulant-Testing (MIST) for comparative performance of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) that may be subjected to chemical vapor hazards. The purpose of the acquisition is to provide testing and analysis of firefighting PPE to determine levels of potential contamination breakthrough during routine firefighting movement circuits.

We propose to contract with the North Carolina State University (NCSU). NCSU is the only laboratory of its kind in the United States located at a university and provides the ability to test full firefighter ensemble clothing systems in a chemical vapor simulant that represent both chemical and biological threats. They have a firefighter-specific movement protocol that has been validated and become the national standard for PPE testing.

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) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within three (3) days of the issuance of 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. Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at xvn9@cdc.gov by 12pm 26 July 2024.