Marine Mammal Diagnostic Testing and Histopathology Services

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR), intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) Part 12, with University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zoological Pathology Program for Marine Mammal diagnostic testing and histopathology services. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, with a business size standard of $19M. Background This requirement is necessary to provide marine mammal diagnostic testing from cases submitted by the NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) network members especially during and after Unusual Mortality Events (UMEs), and by researchers especially from live capture release health assessments. Data from these cases will further our understanding of health, health trends, and diseases of marine mammal populations in the wild and provide advice to management regarding circumstances or causes of morbidity and mortality in these marine animal populations. The requirement is to provide specialized tissue sample processing (including trimming, embedding, cutting, H&E stains, immunohistochemical stains, etc.), histological evaluations, laboratory diagnostic pathogen testing (PCR, whole genome sequencing, etc.) and expert consultations. This contract is important to inform the MMHSRP and researchers on the health, health trends, and diseases of marine mammal populations, and to provide advice to management regarding circumstances or causes of morbidity and mortality to support NOAA’s mandates for species conservation and recovery under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. Sole Source Justification The University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zoological Pathology Program works through a variety projects and initiatives to address complex health problems in zoological collections and wildlife. The program has earned an international reputation for excellence in diagnostic service, education of residents and veterinary students, contribution to worldwide conservation efforts, and original scholarship. The Zoological Pathology Program contributes to global conservation efforts through diagnosis and research into wildlife diseases which not only benefit species conservation programs but also enhance the health of domestic animals, humans, and the environment. The Zoological Pathology Program has faculty and staff members that are board certified (ACVP diplomats) by the American College of Veterinary Pathology and/or hold PhDs in veterinary medicine, wildlife disease, or other related disciplines. Dr. Kathleen Colegrove is the lead pathologist for marine mammal case review and has 15+ years of experience in marine mammal pathology. The Zoological Pathology Program has extensive experience in marine mammal diagnostic pathology and diagnostic pathogen testing. NMFS Office of Protected Resources works throughout the United States and abroad to detect, investigate, and respond to marine animal health and emergency response issues. Specifically, the diagnostic capabilities of the Zoological Pathology Program will be used for health and disease investigations of stranded and live captured wild marine mammals including UMEs. The Zoological Pathology Program is uniquely qualified to assist with the marine mammal diagnostic pathology and diagnostic testing for pathogens particularly morbillivirus and other viral pathogens, as well as with data interpretation and analysis. They have significant expertise and experience in viral pathogen testing in wildlife nationally and globally and have provided rapid turnaround diagnostic services for marine mammal pathogens routinely. Currently, this laboratory is the only veterinary diagnostic and surveill...