Reserach and Development Services in West Africa for NAMRU-3

The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) is seeking sources for research and development support services in support of infectious disease research in Western Africa. The requiring activity is NAMRU-3 in Ghana.NAMRU-3 GD requires the following research support services:-An advanced diagnostic laboratory/facility that utilizes cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, conventional bacteriology and parasitology, immunology and diagnostic tissue culture. This will include the capability and expertise to work with pathogens in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab.-Support of Active Field-based Biosurveillance: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to support the collection of specimens, testing at the contractor's laboratory and the development of reports.- Molecular Biology: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to conduct testing and diagnostic analysis of human, environmental and animal samples utilizing PCR, RT-PCR, and sequencing methods.- Conventional

Bacteriology and Parasitology: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to conduct laboratory diagnosis of human, environmental and animal samples including blood, stool, sputum, body fluids, respiratory swabs, wound swabs, and environmental swabs.-Immunology: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to conduct immunological assays on blood and serum collected from human and animal sources to test for evidence of exposure to pathogenic organisms of interest. Specific techniques required include Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assays (ELISA), flow cytometry, Indirect Hemagglutination Assays (IHA), Luminex MagPix, and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).- Diagnostic Tissue Culture: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to conduct tissue culture activities in support of viral pathogen detection and characterization.-Laboratory Capacity Building: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to conduct host nation laboratory training programs in Ghana as outlined by NAMRU-3 GD. These programs are designed to assist Ghana in complying with the World Health Organization 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR2005) and developing the capacity to support NAMRU-3 projects.- Specimen Accessioning and Archiving: NAMRU-3 requires the transportation, accessioning, processing and archiving of all samples collected as outlined in NAMRU-3 GD study protocols and SOPs.- Entomology: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services for the collection and identification of insect disease vectors in Ghana, including mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas, ticks, mites, and other arthropods of medical importance. The contractor will be able to support microscopic as well as molecular analysis of the vectors and additional pathogen analysis using immunoassays and molecular assays.- Medical Management and Scientific Support Services: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to support the conduct of all NAMRU-3 GD study activities.- Data Entry and Analysis: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services for data entry and analysis services to ensure that all required study data is captured and entered into secure databases. This data may include but not be limited to demographics, clinical history, laboratory data, bio-informatics, advanced molecular analysis, and data related to field surveillance.-Ancillary Laboratory Support Services: NAMRU-3 requires contractor support services to provide ancillary laboratory support services incidental to performance of normal laboratory functions, to ensure proper laboratory operational efficiency and functionality.The anticipated award will be a single award IDIQ with a period of performance of 60 months (base and four 12 month option periods).If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NMLC intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (One source) to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana, for the performance of the described requirement.Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in Ghana is the only source able to meet the requirements of the Government. This institution is the only source in Ghana with the required facilities and expertise in country to provide the required services.This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management and technical data and cost information in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to perform the required work. Capability statements shall not exceed 5 (8.5 x 11 inch) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation or additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract.Capability statements are due by 11:00 AM Eastern Time on 12 April 2018. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: thomas.l.hood26.civ@mail.mil.