The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intends to negotiate on a Sole Source basis (IAW FAR 13.5), with GenPrime, 502 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 101, Spokane, WA 99201, as the only responsible source that is capable of providing Prime Alert Biodetection Systems.  GenPrime is the only acceptable manufacturer of the Prime Alert Biodetection System that the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), Anniston, AL, has identified to meet their needs.

The CDP provides specialized, advanced hands-on training for state and local emergency responders. Several CDP-generated, operations- and technician-level courses have undergone an implementation of biothreat response training, including the integration of multiple biological agent detection technologies. Integrations over the past 10 years include varying forms of lateral flow/antibody capture, handheld or reader-dependent immunochromatographic assays as well as basic protein detection assays. An integral component in our training since inception has been the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) biowarfare detection system. Unfortunately, and for reasons undetermined, the lateral flow assays accompanying the RAMP platform no longer react to a positive presence of the attenuated bioagents utilized at the COBRA Training Facility. Therefore, in the interest of maintaining our robust biothreat response training, the Government requires a biothreat detection platform as an alternative to the RAMP.

Research of the commercial market revealed the Prime Alert Biodetection System from GenPrime to be an alternative to the RAMP and a solid tool that will support existing lateral flow, antibody capture technology used in our training. The Prime Alert microbe screen detects fluorescence created with nucleic acid binding dyes. When bacteria or bacterial spores are present in a sample, the dye binds to the DNA, creating a signal that can be measured using an accompanying handheld reader. In addition to bacterial agents, the system includes lateral flow tests for toxins. Indeed, research reveals the Prime Alert platform works in conjunction with the Prime Alert microbial and toxin screens to detect B. anthracis, Botulinum toxin, F. tularensis, Ricin toxin, and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Variants of B. anthracis and Ricin toxin have been incorporated into the COBRA Training Facility’s biothreat response training.

This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures (IAW FAR 13.5).  There are no set-aside restrictions for this requirement. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 334516 with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,000 employees.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement.  However, parties interested in responding to this notice will need to submit technical data sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product.  All capability statements received within 15 days after publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government.  A determination by the Government not to compete based on 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.

Capability statements shall be submitted by email only as a MS Word or Adobe PDF attachment to Laura Harshbarger at [email protected].  Statements are due by 3:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on August 18, 2020.  No phone calls accepted.