B -- Staphylococcus Aureus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to award, on a sole source basis, a firmed fixed price purchase order to Hawaii Department of Public Health in Honolulu, Hawaii. The proposed project is a prospective study to identify risk factors for infection, outcomes of infection, and bacteriologic characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus causing infection. The primary objectives of the study are: 1) to identify differences in risk factors and outcome between cases of CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA infections, 2) to identify risk factors for staphylococcal infections, mainly skin infections in children, and 3) to identify modifiable factors and culture-specific issues to use in prevention of CA-MRSA among Pacific Islanders. Various factors will be evaluated, including: prior antibiotic use, possible exposure at the household and during recreational and sport activities, other healthcare exposures (i.e., clinic visits), shower and bathing practices (e.g., towel use, antimicrobial soaps), recreational activities, clinical manifestations of disease, and therapies and healthcare resource utilization. Identification of these factors will greatly assist parallel efforts to implement activities for prevention of CA-MRSA in children. The Hawaii Department of Public Health will provide to the Project Officer the following deliverables: July 12, 2004, the contractor will complete IRB approval at the participating facilities and health department. August 12, 2004, the contractor will have begun data and specimen collection at the participating facility. August 1, 2005, the contractor will have completed collection of data and specimens from the participating facility. This deliverable can be achieved earlier if the requirements for cases and controls are met sooner than August 1, 2005. The authority for this sole source procurement is FAR part 6.302-1 in that Hawaii Department of Public Health, is the only known source with the knowledge required that can meet all of the program requirements including local standard of care, equipment , cost and time constraints. This is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can provide the required services are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 10 days from the publication date of this synopsis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries may be sent to Linda T. Robinson by email at [email protected] or by fax at 770-488-2668.