Integrated Veterinary Diagnostic Testing for complete blood count diagnostic testing in Rhesus Macaques

PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE ** NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NOI-NIAID-24-2226007 NAICS – 541380, Testing Laboratories This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Antech Diagnostics, Inc of Irvine, CA, to procure integrated veterinary diagnostic testing for complete blood count diagnostic testing for rhesus macaques and associated serum chemistry panel.

The Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology (LMM) investigates the structure, function and regulation of a diverse group of microorganisms including RNA and DNA viruses, aerobic and anerobic bacteria, and mycoplasmas. Currently, the main focus of LMM scientists in murine (MuLV) and primate retroviruses (HIV, SIV and HTLV) with principal area of research activity involving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1).

Fundamental investigations of viral gene regulation, protein structure and function, and particle assembly are integrated with studies of the determinants of immunologic protection against HIV and viral pathogenesis. Study requirements mandate diagnostics and clinical pathological evaluation of blood and other bodily fluids from non-human primates in a consistent manner to allow the results of past and future studies to be compared and analyzed upon completion.

This is as a follow-on to studies previously conducted by Antech Diagnostics, Inc. There are too many Rhesus monkeys (over 700), there is too much history with Antech’s results and Antech has been the hallmark of the testing for this exhaustive project, and as LMM nears completion of this study they cannot entertain discussions with another vendor.

To determine another vendor’s capabilities, too many tests would have to be conducted on samples, leading to too much time being spent, to even establish if another vendor is capable to perform the required services in the same manner, to produce comparable results, and with a study so large and of this magnitude, it is not feasible in terms of time, money or continuity of results. The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C.

1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.

All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-24-2226007 to Dana Monroe at dana.monroe@nih.gov, by 5:00 pm eastern standard time Thursday, June 6, 2024. All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.