NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces its intention to negotiate the services of performing analysis assay services of the Quantitative Vaginal and Rectal Microflora Testing on Macaque-Specimens. The macaque specimens will be delivered in CDC issued Port-a-cul transport tubes (up to batches of 340 specimens) for the potential offeror to provide quantitative data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Laboratory Branch by the end of the performance period of 12 months. CDC has an on-going study to continue to perform quantitation, isolation, evaluation of microflora in animal modeling system (using non-human primates) that affect HIV infection and prevention including drug resistance. Changes in vaginal or rectal bacterial microflora are major susceptibility factors for HIV infection. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate whether microbicides or other mucosal HIV prevention efforts induce changes in vaginal or rectal microflora in macaques. Specifically, the contractor shall continue to perform the following tasks on this project:

TASK 1: Conduct macaque quantitative vaginal and/or rectal/fecal microflora culture analysis assays for up to 380 specimens within 24 hours or less upon receiving each batch of macaque specimens provided by CDC in Port-a-Cul transport tubes.

a. Quantitative cultures and bacterial identifications performed on each macaque specimen should include the following facultative and anaerobic isolates:

i. Facultative isolates: Lactobacillus H2O2 positive and negatives; Gardnerella vaginalis; Diphtheroids; Group B, C, F, G Streptococci; Non-Group Beta Streptococcus; Enterococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Coagulase-negative Staphylococci; Micrococcus; Escherichia coli; Aerobic Gram-Positive Rods; Aerobic Gram-Positive cocci; Other Gram-negative rods; Proteus; Bacillus; Viridans Strep H2O2 Positives and negatives

ii. Anaerobic isolates: Anaerobic Gram-negative rods Non-pigmented and Black Anaerobic Negative Rods

TASK 2: Provide a written report containing data/results within 2 weeks or less of receiving each batch of macaque specimens.

CDC intends to negotiate this requirement with Mage-Women's Reearch Institute & Foundation under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and HHSAR 306.302-1, Only One Responsible Source, and 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination to compete this procurement based on a response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties who believe they possess the capabilities to satisfy this requirement should submit a capability statement demonstrating their abilities to meet this requirement. All responses should be received by the July 20, 2012, at 4 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST). All responses must be in writing and can be sent via email to [email protected] or fax to 770-488-2868. No phone calls will be accepted.