Generation and fluorescent formatting of aptamers targeting antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for the detection of unreported ARV use on behalf of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention Division of HIV Prevention.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a sole-source requirement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Acquisition Services intends to award a sole source contract to Texas A&M University for services to provide generation and fluorescent formatting of aptamers targeting antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for the detection of unreported ARV use on behalf of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention Division of HIV Prevention.

Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are the foundation of HIV treatment and prevention. Detection of unreported ARV use is essential for surveillance, behavioral research, and blood safety monitoring. While liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) remains the gold standard for ARV detection, it is costly, labor-intensive, and impractical for high-throughput or resource-limited settings.

These constraints limit its scalability for high-throughput surveillance and preclude its use in many public health or resource-limited laboratory settings. The Division of HIV Prevention Laboratory Branch (DHP LB) at the CDC is developing a high-throughput assay that leverages aptamer-based technologies and plate-based detection to enable efficient qualitative screening of ARVs that are priorities for surveillance and blood safety monitoring. The anticipated period of performance for a two-year multi-year contract from 8/03/2026 through 8/13/2028. The NAICS Code is:

541715 - Research and Development Laboratories or Services (except Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research and Development) The PSC is:

AJ12 – General Science and Technology R&D Services As indicated above, this contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of Revolutionary FAR Overhaul 12.102(a), Restricting competition. No solicitation will be published for this requirement. This notice is issued solely to determine whether there are any responsible sources capable of meeting the Government’s requirements.

Interested parties may identify their interest and submit documentation of their capability to respond to this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations/proposals; however, all responses received within the issuance period of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to competitively solicit for the proposed contract action 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. Responses should be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Serina Allingham, xog9@cdc.gov, by 5:00p.m. on July 31, 2026.