Vector-borne Disease Agent Surveillance Research & Development in External Proficiency Testing

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services for the Theater Preventive Medicine Flight, 18th Medical Group, Kadena Air Force Base. The requirement is for non-personal services to support Pacific Region Force Health Protection Vector-borne Disease Agent Surveillance R&D in External Proficiency Testing. This announcement is the only solicitation; quotes are requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued.

• Development, preparation, and provision of matrix-appropriate panels (spiked or naturally infected arthropod homogenates/pools) for the detection of pathogens in arthropod vectors (e.g., ticks, mosquitoes).

• Support for molecular assays (PCR, multiplex PCR, or NGS) performed by vector surveillance laboratories.

• Technical expertise in External Quality Assurance and External Proficiency Testing.

• Quality control measures.

• Sourcing and delivery approach.

• Contract Type: Single Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Period of Performance: Anticipated start date is September 30, 2026, with one 12-month period of performance (ending September 29, 2027).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the contract award will be made on a competitive best-value basis using a Subjective Trade-Off approach.

• NAICS Code: 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology, except Nanobiotechnology).

• Questions Due Date: June 16, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT.

• Quote Due Date: June 29, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT.

• Submission Method: Electronic submission to Benjamin Marcus at benjamin.t.marcus2.civ@health.mil.

• Quote Content: Two volumes - Volume I: Technical Capabilities (Non-Price, 10-page limit) and Volume II: Price (no page limit).

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Capabilities (rated Acceptable/Unacceptable) and Price (assessed for completeness and reasonableness). Technical Capabilities must be rated "Acceptable" for consideration. The award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

• No specific set-aside is mentioned.

• DFARS Clause 252.204-7017 (Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation) applies.

• The Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) are included as external attachments.

• Offerors are required to submit completed provisions 52.219-1 and 252.204-7017 with their Quote.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) developed by the government. Its purpose is to outline the procedures for monitoring and assessing a contractor's performance against the standards defined in the contract. It details what will be monitored, how, by whom, and how results will be documented. The QASP is a living document intended to ensure early identification and resolution of performance issues.

• Monitoring Procedures: Defines how the government will assess contractor performance.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Outlines the duties of key government personnel, including the Program/Project Manager (PM)/Functional Services Manager (FSM), Contracting Officer (CO), and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
• Performance Standards: References the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) and defines performance ratings (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) based on FAR 42.1503.
• Surveillance Matrix: Details specific performance objectives, acceptable quality levels (AQLs), and methods of surveillance for contract deliverables.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Includes procedures for Corrective Action Reports (CARs), Customer Complaint Forms, and Performance Assessment Reports (PARs).

While the QASP is a government document, understanding its contents can help bidders anticipate how their performance will be evaluated. It highlights the government's expectations regarding quality, performance standards, and reporting. Bidders should pay close attention to the Performance Objectives and Standards listed in the Surveillance Matrix, as these directly relate to the contract's requirements and deliverables. The defined performance ratings and reporting mechanisms (CARs, PARs) indicate the formal processes for addressing performance issues and documenting overall contractor performance, which can impact future contract awards.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To develop safe and validated external proficiency testing procedures for the detection of pathogens in arthropods (mosquitoes) using non-infectious agents. This effort aims to support reliable diagnostic capabilities through external quality assurance.

• Develop a comprehensive manual/SOP for creating, preparing, and using safe, transportable external quality assurance/proficiency test materials for pathogen detection in arthropods, specifically excluding live or cultured pathogenic organisms.

• The manual will focus on using partial nucleic acid constructs or synthetic/non-infectious materials, with Dengue virus detection via qRT-PCR as a model, adaptable to other arthropod-borne pathogens.

• Validate the developed protocol using standard laboratory validation processes to establish performance specifications (accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity).

• Demonstrate proficiency test performance characteristics, including limit of detection (LOD), sensitivity, and specificity, using a minimum of 60 samples.

• Conduct and report an initial analysis of the proficiency test analyte's and protocol's capability for use in field-expedient conditions, evaluating stability, transportability, and robustness.

• Provide monthly progress reports and a final comprehensive closeout report.

• Deliverables include a draft and final manual/SOP, a validation report, a performance results package, a field-expedient capability analysis report, monthly progress reports, and a final closeout report.

• Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) are set at 100% compliance for all deliverables, requiring technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to specified standards.

• Period of Performance (PoP): SEE SCHEDULE (implied to be 12 months based on final report due date).

• Place of Performance: All services shall be performed at the contractor’s facility.

• The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective Quality Control Plan (QCP).

• All data, reports, manuals, and procedures developed under this contract are subject to Government unlimited rights.

• The Government will provide limited virus-free mosquito samples for confirmation testing.

• Work is unclassified, and PII/PHI requirements are not applicable.