Supplying and Delivering Three (3) Mobile Laboratory Setups to the US Embassy Lusaka, Zambia

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT

A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES.

The Regional Procurement Support Office (RPSO) Frankfurt intends to award a firm fixed price sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 only one responsible source to:

DST innovation GmbH in 74722 Buchen, Germany

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 621511.

RPSO Frankfurt has a need for supplying and delivering three (3) mobile laboratory setups to the US Embassy Lusaka, Zambia to be able to react quickly to biological threat situations and outbreaks.

The mobile laboratory setup is based on the mobile laboratory of the Institute of Microbiology (IMB) of the Bundeswehr in Munich, Germany and is customized to meet the requirements of the regional CDC Office Lusaka, Zambia.

It consists mainly of the following components:

1.         air-transportable, inflatable laboratory tent

2.         mobile glovebox with sample handling system

3.         sample collection and transportation equipment

4.         sample preparation devices incl. dead air hoods

5.         instrumentation for PCR analysis and ELISA

6.         light microscopy

7.         comprehensive package of consumables

8.         transportable IT equipment

9.         personal protective equipment incl. PAPRS

10.       packaging concept in transport case

11.       solar panel power unit with battery

12.       refrigerator and freezer

13.       autoclave

14.       bench-top Millipore water purification

15.       refrigerated microfuge

16.       ruggedized transportation boxes and cases

DST innovation is the only source able to provide this tailored solution.

The Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology has worked throughout Europe and Asia for over 25 years in coordination with the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency on field diagnostics.  The Institute then played a key role during the major West African Ebola outbreaks in 2014 not only in developing and refining concepts, but precise specifications for the components of fit-for-purpose deployable laboratories.  The Institute of Microbiology subsequently provided technical guidance to DST innovation who commercialized the kit components.  This specific kit is in use in neighboring countries (Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda) for viral hemorrhagic fever diagnostics.

The principles published are in line with World Health Organization guidance.  This recommendation ideally balances flexibility and utility.  Only DST innovation can provide the specific kit that is identical to those already in use in neighboring countries which would ensure essential opportunities for sharing best practices, without which, any use of mobile or deployable labs would be potentially hazardous and could result in mission failure.

The company DST innovation works closely with Zambia's bordering and regional neighbors providing their mobile and modular equipment as well.  Equipping Zambia with identical capabilities and equipment ensures the country can seamlessly participate in outbreak response exercises and that test results are standardized across the region.  Using identical labs also increases interoperability among partners in the decreasing response time.  Further, the Zambian Ministry of Health would like to align equipment to the standard reagents which they are already managing.

This is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is available.  If any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency.  Interested sources must respond in writing with clear and convincing evidence to support their ability to provide the required services within ten (10) days of this publication.  A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on responses received is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment no later than Saturday, April 20th, 2024 11:59 pm Central European Summer Time to the following address:  walkerak@state.gov