NAHLN Diagnostic Testing Services

National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Performance Work Statement Diagnostic Testing by NAHLN-approved Laboratories Page 1 of 5 A. BACKGROUND Establish an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract with NAHLN-approved laboratories to reimburse for diagnostic testing services. The NAHLN is a cooperative effort between two USDA agencies the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). It is a multi-faceted network comprised of laboratories that focus on NAHLN-scope diseases, using common testing methods and software platforms to process diagnostic requests and share information. At the Federal level, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) serves as the national veterinary diagnostic reference and confirmatory laboratory. NVSL coordinates activities, participates in methods validation, and provides training, proficiency testing, assistance, materials, and prototypes for diagnostic tests. B. SCOPE OF WORK The laboratories in the NAHLN perform diagnostic tests for endemic animal diseases of high consequence as well as for foreign animal diseases. These laboratories also participate in the development of new assay methodologies. Networking these resources provides an extensive infrastructure of facilities, equipment, and personnel that are geographically accessible no matter where disease strikes. The laboratories have the capability and capacity to conduct nationwide testing for the early detection of an animal disease outbreak as well as test large numbers of samples rapidly during an outbreak and to demonstrate freedom from disease after eradication. Key elements of the NAHLN system include:  Increased and more flexible capacity for laboratory support of routine and emergency animal disease diagnosis, including bioterrorism events;  Standardized, rapid diagnostic techniques used at State, Regional, and National levels;  Secure communication, alert, and reporting systems;  Modern equipment and experienced personnel;  National training, proficiency testing, and quality assurance;  Facilities that meet biocontainment and physical security requirements;  Regional and National animal health emergency training exercises (scenario tests) to test and evaluate the communication and reporting protocols of the network. Description of Services The Contractor must provide a price schedule for diagnostic services, based on their disease approvals (Attachment 1 Diagnostic Services Price List). The pricing must include all costs necessary including, but not limited to, general and administrative costs, profit, labor, materials, -- 1 of 5 -- National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Performance Work Statement Diagnostic Testing by NAHLN-approved Laboratories Page 2 of 5 safety equipment, facilities, licenses, and special permits required for the identified diagnostic services in accordance with local, State and Federal regulations as well as NVSL and participating laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Contractor will be responsible for performing the respective diagnostic service, as directed by the contracting officer, on appropriate samples and follow quality assurance policies and procedures and test result reporting as set forth by the NVSL. All samples that test as presumptive positive or inconclusive will be submitted to NVSL for confirmatory testing as required in the current version of the respective NVSL testing SOPs, relevant guidance documents, procedure manuals, or Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) references. Consult the NAHLN website, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/labs/nahln/approved-labs/nahln-document-list, for a listing of SOPs, forms, procedure manuals, or CFR references required for successful performance. Within 14 calendar days after award, the Contractor must provide and maintain a dedicated general mailbox email address for all correspondence related to the contract, task orders, and invoicing. This mailbox must be monitored regularly to ensure timely receipt and response to Government communications. C. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS The Contractor must:  Provide accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent animal disease laboratory services nationwide;  Provide laboratory data to meet epidemiological and disease reporting needs as outlined in standard operating procedures, procedure manuals, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) or as set forth by the NVSL;  Maintain the capacity and capability to provide laboratory services in support of responses to foreign animal disease outbreaks or other adverse animal health events; and  Focus on diseases of livestock (exotic, zoonotic, and emerging diseases), while including diseases of non-livestock species. Approved laboratories must meet the requirements for membership in the NAHLN. Membership evaluation criteria for NAHLN approved laboratories are outlined in the Agreement for Participation in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). Agreements are completed on a biennial basis, and the requirements are specific to the assigned laboratory level. The NAHLN website, noted above, contains a current listing of NAHLN approved laboratories as well as information on joining the NAHLN. D. QUALITY ASSURANCE -- 2 of 5 -- National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Performance Work Statement Diagnostic Testing by NAHLN-approved Laboratories Page 3 of 5 The Contractor may be involved in testing for early detection of foreign animal disease, surge testing during an outbreak, and testing samples during the outbreak recovery phase. As such, there must be a high degree of confidence in the quality of the laboratories and associated test results. All approve…