Cough/sneeze simulator to measure performance of PPE.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE AN ORDER/CONTRACT. This is not a request for competitive proposals/quotes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), hereby announces its intent to issue a sole source order/contract to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541990 All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, with a size standard of $16.5 million. Based upon previous work at The Fluid Dynamics of Disease Transmission Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MIT will develop and produce a cough/sneeze simulator. The goal of this study is to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by developing a test method to simulate human ejecta in support of science-based PPE recommendations and to provide an inter-operable method to evaluate PPE. In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, NPPTL needs to make science-based recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to reduce disease spread and limit deaths associated with hospital acquired infections. In the US, there are currently over 120,000 deaths due to COVID-19 and nearly 1/2 million deaths worldwide. MIT has one of the only the Fluid Dynamics of Disease Transmission Laboratories in the world and has the engineering expertise to successfully complete this project. Additionally, this project is part of a collaboration with FDA's Winchester Engineering Analytical Center (WEAC) and succeed a MOU established by FDA/WEAC and MIT. Delays associated with establishing new partnerships would delay completion of this project and may contribute to additional COVID-19 deaths. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action will be based on responses to this notice and is solely in the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov , prior to an award of a federal contract. This 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) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit quotations. This is not a request for competitive quotations ; however, the Government will review any/all product, capabilities, and pricing information submitted prior to the closure of this notice. 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. Responsible sources that believe they possess the expertise and capabilities identified above are hereby afforded the opportunity to submit to the Contracting Officer within 10 days from the posting date of this notice, their written capabilities statement and pricing information in the format they choose, not to exceed 10 pages. Please forward, as applicable, any capabilities, product, pricing information (for products, etc.), and/or other pertinent information to Diane Meeder, Contracting Officer, CDC, OAS, through email at [email protected]. Any responses should be emailed to Diane Meeder at [email protected] by August 3, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. ET.