Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Procurement & Grants Office, Contracts & Purchases Branch, 255 East Paces Ferry Rd, N.E, Rm 419, Atlanta, GA 30305

Q -- MOLECULAR LABORATORY TESTING FOR STUDY OF THE RISK OF TRANSMITTING VARICELLA VACCINE VIRUS POC Lisa Brown, Contract Specialist, (404) 842-6571 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to negotiate with and award a contract to Dr. Phillip LaRussa, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Columbia University. The award will be made on a sole source basis for professional services to conduct Molecular Laboratory Testing for Study of the Risk of Transmitting Varicella Vaccine Virus. The contractor will provide Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PFLP) analysis to detect/classify the Varicella-Zoster virus. Dr. LaRussa is the only known source, in the United States with extensive experience in both PCR analysis to detect Varicella-Zoster virus and RFLP analysis to distinguish between the vaccine and wild-type varicella virus genomes. The period of performance for the proposed contract is not to exceed one year from the date of award. Other than full and open competition is authorized pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). The minimum qualifications include, but are not limited to the following: Extensive knowledge and experience in molecular typing of varicella isolates from clinical specimens, including both PCR to identify Varicella-Zoster virus DNA and RFLP analysis to distinguish vaccine and wild-type genomes from one another. Qualified contractors have 45 days from the date of this synopsis to submit capability statements indicating their ability to provide services as stated above. Such qualifications will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No solicitation exists and requests for such document will be considered non-responsive. No telephone requests. Only written request will be honored. See Numbered Note 22. (0224)

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