The National Institute of Health, Clinical Center (CC) intends to award a Firm-Fixed price purchase order to The College of American Pathologists (Large Business) Winnetka, IL 60093-2719 on a sole source basis to procure a contract for the inspection, accreditation and participation in the CAP proficiency testing program under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments License' 88.

The College of American Pathologists has been granted deeming authority from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as the Joint Commission to meet state certification requirements. College of American Pathologists' proficiency testing material provides the opportunity for peer group comparisons that are shared by more than 6,000 laboratories worldwide and is the only vendor that provides most of the Department of Laboratory Medicines' testing menu. This accreditation program is required to operate the Department of Laboratory Medicine and is therefore essential to patient care.

This acquisition is being conducted using policies unique to the acquisition of commercial items prescribed in FAR Part 12. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this posting. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Comments to this announcement, referencing this posting number, may be submitted to the CC, Office of Purchasing and Contracts, prior to the closing date specified in this announcement, electronically to the attention of Ivan Jones, Contract Specialist, [email protected] by the due date and time marked in this notice.