Intent to Sole Source Barrier Reared Rats

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to Hilltop Lab Animals, Inc. for Barrier Reared Rats.

To maintain scientific integrity and continuity of current established and future projects the use of rats maintained from the same breeding colony are required for research within our program (RGD: Rules for Nomenclature of Mouse and Rat Strains (mcw.edu)). The vendor named supplies rats with a unique genetic makeup that other vendors cannot match. Most strains and stocks of rats that are available from other vendors have been physically separated from each other for so many generations that they are genetically unique when it comes to their biological response to many research procedures. The rats provided by this vendor are produced as genetically unique strains that are required for continuity of research within our program. Departing from these stocks maintained by Hilltop Lab Animals inc. risks reduced accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of research results.

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) (SAP) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within seven (7) days of the issuance 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 quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at qnt8@cdc.gov by 1:00 PM on January 26, 2023.