Notice of Intent to issue a Sole Source Award to generate and optimize high-affinity nucleic acid aptamers capable of semi-quantitative detection of TFV-DP and/or TFV for use in both plate-based assays and POC platforms.
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV Prevention (DHP)/Laboratory Branch, intends to award a sole source Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Chemistry. The purpose is to generate and optimize high-affinity nucleic acid aptamers for semi-quantitative detection of TFV-DP and/or TFV, for use in both plate-based assays and Point-of-Care (POC) platforms.
Scope of Work
The intended awardee will be responsible for:
- Generating high-affinity nucleic acid aptamers.
- Optimizing these aptamers for semi-quantitative detection of Tenofovir Diphosphate (TFV-DP) and/or Tenofovir (TFV).
- Ensuring aptamers are suitable for integration into both plate-based assays and POC platforms.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Sole Source Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order
- Authority: FAR 12.102-1 (Commercial Services)
- NAICS Code: 541715 - Medical Research and Development Laboratories or Services (except Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research and Development)
- Place of Performance: Chapel Hill, NC
- Response Due: June 2, 2026, by 5:00 PM ET
- Published Date: May 12, 2026
Justification for Sole Source
UNC Chapel Hill was identified as uniquely qualified due to its role as a co-inventor of the FTC aptamer, previously developed for Antiretroviral (ARV) detection research. Their established methodologies are compatible with CDC's current assay development efforts. The CDC states that UNC is the only reasonably available source capable of performing the required work within the necessary timeframe and technical specifications. Changing to another vendor's aptamer would severely impact the CDC's progress, requiring a complete restart of optimization and would not be compatible with existing, already developed aptamers detecting emtricitabine.
Action Items
This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all quotations/responses received within 15 days of the notice's issuance will be considered by the government. Information received will primarily be used to determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to the contract specialist, Eugene L. Gutierrez Jr., at zvm0@cdc.gov by the response deadline.