Intent to Sole Source: "Ready to Use" Human Primary Bronchial Cells

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Influenza Division (NCIRD/ID), intends to award a sole source purchase order to Government Scientific Source Inc., 12355 Sunrise Valley Dr. Suite 400, Reston, VA 20191, for the purchase of “ready-to-use” human primary bronchial cells. The statutory authority for this sole-source acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), in accordance with FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1), soliciting from a single source.

The NAICS code for this procurement is 325414, Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing. The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase “ready-to-use” inserts of differentiated primary human airway bronchial cells and 500 mL medium bottles of Air-Liquid Interface (ALI). This procurement requires either a qualified shipping method or transport by hand to preserve the delicate cellular air-liquid interface (ALI).

Epithelix Sàrl is the sole manufacturer worldwide able to provide human primary nasal epithelium cells in a “ready-to-use” condition while shipped (as opposed to frozen vials). Government Scientific Source Inc. (GSS), a small business, is the only US reseller of the required primary cells from Epithelix Sàrl. Thus, GSS Inc. is the only company that can be used to provide Epithelix products to the US government. As a result of this notice, no competitive solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov.

The government will issue only one solicitation to Government Scientific Source, Inc. However, firms that believe they can meet this requirement are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notice by providing a capability statement to the contract specialist, Dawnnia Daley, at xwf5@cdc.gov by July 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The contracting officer or the contract specialist will not respond to verbal requests. All requests must be in writing.

A determination by the government not to take this proposed action will be based on responses to this notice and is solely within the discretion of the contracting officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries shall reference the solicitation number, 75D301-24-Q-77880, on the subject line and be sent to Dawnnia Daley by email at xwf5@cdc.gov.