Summary
The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), in cooperation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD), is seeking to identify at least one state or local public health laboratory that will serve as a reference center for arboviral disease testing for other public health laboratories. The Reference Center will provide the following clinically validated testing services: 1) molecular methods; 2) serologic methods and 3) neutralization test such as PRNT for the most common endemic arboviruses as well as arboviruses such as dengue virus, Zika virus and Chikungunya virus that are predominantly seen in travelers returning to the US though some local transmission can occur. Testing will be provided at no cost to the submitting public health laboratories and funding will be awarded via a contract with APHL.
Eligibility
Eligible laboratories include all APHL member state and local public health laboratories with the following capabilities, resources, and facilities in place. Specific expectations regarding the methodologies, pathogens, and other aspects of testing to be used by the Reference Center are outlined in
Appendix A. All applicants are required to agree to the minimum requirements outlined in
Appendix B. Through their written proposal, successful applicants will demonstrate they are able to satisfy the criteria below.
- Maintains clinically validated molecular, serological and neutralization methods for the detection of arboviruses from human, clinical specimens listed as required in
Appendix A.
- Maintains adequate laboratory space and necessary equipment (including infrastructure for unidirectional workflow for molecular testing).
- Maintains sufficient workforce capacity to receive specimens, perform testing and report results.
- Maintains the ability to receive and test specimens from other public health laboratories.
- Maintains an electronic test orders and results (ETOR) system accessible to submitters for ordering and receiving results associated with reference center testing.
- Willingness to alter or amend existing testing protocols and algorithms and evaluate new technologies.
Anticipated RFP Schedule
December 8, 2025 – RFP Issued
December 17, 2025 – Informational Teleconference (Q&A)
January 8, 2026 – Letter of Intent Due to APHL (see below)
February 2, 2026 – RFP Responses Due
February 13, 2026 – Proposal review completed
February 16-27, 2026 – Follow-up interviews and updated proposals due
March 6, 2026 – Final review completed and awardees selected
July 1, 2026 – First year contract awarded
APHL will communicate any modification to this anticipated schedule on APHL's procurement website (www.aphl.org/rfp) and via an email blast to the public health laboratories (PHLs).
Response Submittal
Confirmation of Intent to Respond
APHL requires that prospective applicants submit a brief email statement indicating an intent to submit a proposal. APHL must receive this email by no later than
11:59pm EST on January 8, 2026. To allow for appropriate review process planning,
a letter of intent is required for consideration.
Final Response
APHL must receive complete responses by
11:59 pm EST on February 2, 2026. Please see
Proposal-Required Submissions section for items that must be included in the completed proposal. Applicants may send proposals via email to
tracy.stiles@aphl.org with copy to
infectious.diseases@aphl.org APHL will send an email acknowledging receipt of your application; if you do not receive an acknowledgement within 48 hours, please email
tracy.stiles@aphl.org to confirm receipt.
RFP Materials
The
Official RFP Document will provide detailed information. APHL will post all RFP-related documents, current schedule information, and answers to submitted questions and clarifications on APHL's procurement site,
www.aphl.org/rfp.
Questions and Answers
Do you anticipate multiple awardees?
A: Multiple awards are possible. The likely scenario is a primary laboratory and potentially others from backup/surge capacity. This decision will be based on the applications received and funding available.
Is the award going to be paid upfront or will we be reimbursed after the fact?
A: Reimbursement for the contract will be based on monthly invoices indicating the total number of tests performed.
What is the testing frequency requested?
A: Specific turnaround times have not been established. This will vary by test method and could be determined in conjunction with APHL and CDC. The laboratory may not need to change current practices. In the event of an outbreak more frequent testing may be requested.
Please clarify this language? “Proposal scoring is based on a frequency relevant for reference center work”.
A: While there is no specified testing frequency or pre-determined turnaround times, the reference center should perform testing with a frequency to ensure reasonable turnaround times to support public health action. For example, PCR and IgM testing should happen no less than once a week and PRNT would likely need to be setup no less than once every other week, ideally weekly.
Is it acceptable if some of the tests requested are in the process of validation with anticipated completion before the July start date?
A: Yes. However, please include sufficient details in your proposal including status, proposed timeline to completion and any anticipated barriers to enable the reviewers to fully evaluate your laboratories ability to perform the requested testing.
What if the laboratory has some but not all of the "desired" testing capabilities?
A: All applicants must be able to perform all required tests. The desired and optional capabilities are redundant to testing performed at CDC and are considered nice to have and could be very helpful in the case of COOP, outbreaks or surge testing needs.
Please clarify what is meant by “altered or amended protocol requests” in Appendix B?
A: The Reference Center is viewed in a collaborative manner—meaning that either APHL, CDC or the laboratory may identify an issue with testing or a way to make potential improvements and we want to ensure that the selected laboratory would be willing to work collaboratively on these issues. Examples include adjusting a component of a method, conjugate or antigen and/or to evaluate new methods or technologies, or to make changes to algorithms to support high quality laboratory testing for public health.
What is the anticipated annual volume for the Reference Center? What should we use for budgeting purposes?
A: It is difficult to predict the annual testing volume for the reference center due to the variability in each arbovirus season. Additionally, each laboratory will have slightly different testing algorithms which impacts total number of tests performed. For budgeting purposes, please use the following numbers: average monthly test volume of 15 molecular tests, 25 serology (IgM) tests and 30 PRNT or an annual testing volume of 180 molecular tests, 300 serology (IgM) tests and 360 PRNT.
Is Appendix B (minimum requirements) part of the ten-page limit?
A: No, it is not part of the ten-page limit. The ten-page limit applies to the response to the questions.
Is electronic reporting to CDC required? Is CDC ready to receive the messages?
A: Electronic reporting of results is a desired future activity. The selected laboratory must be willing to work with APHL and CDC to implement electronic reporting if funds are available.