This is a notice of intent, not a request for proposals. A solicitation document will not be issued and proposals will not be requested.

HHS, SUPPLY SERVICE CENTER, PERRY POINT, MARYLAND, intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price Contract to Thermo Fisher Scientific, 300 Industry Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275 to provide Platinum™ Taq DNA Polymerase enzyme kits. The proposed contract action intended use is by public health/BioWatch laboratories located across the country.

DoD DBPAO conducted research and evaluated available Taq DNA Polymerase enzyme kits from lnvitrogen and other sources. Since there are no validated assays in the analytical format used by BioWatch laboratories for the biological threat agents of concern, use of the CDC LRN and DoD DBPAO assays are the only means to meet mission requirements. The DoD DBPAO assays were optimized and validated with the use of ThermoFisher Life Technologies’ (formerly lnvitrogens) Platinum™ Taq DNA Polymerase enzyme kits. Mission success and consistency dictate ThermoFisher Life Technologies’ (formerly lnvitrogens) Platinum™ Taq DNA Polymerase enzyme kits be used.

No alternative product was identified during DoD DBPAO market research as being potentially equivalent. In the future, if any alternatives are identified and found to be equivalent, the DoD DBPAO assay procedures will have to be optimized and validated with the alternative Taq DNA Polymerase prior to it being used in BioWatchs mission. By its depth and breadth, this would be a lengthy (years) and expensive (millions of dollars) undertaking.

The proposed contract action is for The Department of Homeland Security. The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-04.

The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 325414. Interested vendors may identify their interests and capabilities to the requirement no later than 03:00 pm EST, June 5, 2023 by email only to leslie.lucas@psc.hhs.gov (NO PHONE CALLS). The Government will consider all responses, but a determination not to compete this action is solely under the discretion of the Government. This action is under the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 253(c) (3)(B) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements).

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