Notice of Intent to Sole Source – National Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOSH) Certified B Reader Services for the NIOSH’s Health Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Acquisition Services intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to Colella Consulting, LLC for B Reader services, National Institue for Ocupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-certified physicians in the International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconisis (ILO), to perform required classifications of chest radiographs taken for all components of the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). The requirement consists of classification services for all components of the Program, such as, the Enhanced, Expanded, and Special Studies. The B Reader will classify chest radiographic images of coal mine workers participating in health surveillance due to jobs involving exposure to mineral dusts such as coal mine dust, crystalline silica and asbestos for subtle signs of pneumoconiosis and other diseases for the CWHSP.

The CWHSP is a federally-mandated program that requires in-depth knowledge of the ILO Classification System. The chest radiographs must be interpreted by physicians/radiologists who are certified by NIOSH as being proficient in the use of the ILO system for classifying radiographs of the pneumoconioses (B Readers) and meet a set of stringent criteria established by the CWHSP. In order to achieve confidence and integrity of the classifications provided by B Readers selected to participate in and conduct radiograph classifications for the CWHSP, B Readers are required to meet a set of stringent criteria in order to be qualified to paritipcate in the CWHSP. This criteria includes making a higher than average score on the B Reader Examination as well as achieving a designated score on the inconsistency indices sections on the examination. They also must be board certified in their specialty. The period of performance for the order is as follows:

Base Period: 7/15/2024 – 7/14/2025

Option Period 1: 7/15/2025 – 7/14/2026

Option Period 2: 7/15/2026 – 7/14/2027

Option Period 3: 7/15/2027 – 7/14/2028

Option Period 4: 7/15/2028 – 7/14/2029

Collela Consulting, LLC met all of the required criteria to be qualified to participate as a NIOSH-certified B Reader for the CWHSP; thereby, ensuring that the CWHSP will be able to maintain a high standard of classifications and thus preserving the Program.

This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (Simplified Acquistion Procedures) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested parties may identify their interest and submit documentation of their capability to respond to the requirement.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responses received within the issuance period of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Any response should be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Serina Allinghan, at xog9@cdc.gov by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, April 5, 2024.