​​Since inception, the CDC and APHL have been heavily involved in ensuring the success of LIMSi, both in an administrative capacity and with hands-on efforts. The CDC LIMSi implementation team works closely with laboratories throughout the process ensuring that laboratories are meeting standards and have the support they need to achieve full compatibility. Conference calls, test messages, and multiple site visits by implementation teams are all part of the process. LIMSi operability generally takes several months to complete, as laboratories (and their software) need to fit within certain parameters before implementation is possible. One of the biggest challenges in implementing LIMSi has been the wide range of LIMS that LRN member laboratories employ. Due to factors such as difference in budgets, and types of tests performed, a LIMS that works perfectly in one laboratory may not be an appropriate choice for another. Those that use the same software may use different modules or versions. Coping with these differences requires extensive involvement and cooperation with the software manufacturers, which can further extend the timeline for implementation of LIMSi. However, these hurdles are outweighed by the benefits, in particular, the time-saving advantages and reduced double-data entry burden.

In order to meet the needs of an ever-changing landscape in emergency preparedness, an efficient, adaptable, and sustainable strategy for electronic data messaging must be developed and implemented with the goal of providing a solution that fits the needs of all stakeholders.

Funding Support

APHL will provide up to $134,000 to fund the selected applicant for the project. The funding support amount represents the total amount available for the applicant, and APHL will use this amount for all activities specified in the applicant's proposal. The project duration is from the signing of a contract between the selected applicant and APHL, through June 30, 2018 – when the selected applicant has completed the work and submitted a final report to APHL.

Eligibility

This is an open and competitive process. Applicants must comply with the Application Requirements attached under the Request for Proposal Materials Section below.

Anticipated RFP Schedule

April 12, 2018          –             RFP Issued

April 19, 2018         –             Letter of Intent Due to APHL (see below)

April 26, 2018         –             RFP Responses Due

April 30, 2018          –             Proposal review completed and awardee selected

April 30, 2018          –             Draft contract submitted to APHL Legal for final internal review

Request for Proposal Materials

The Request For Proposal (RFP) provides details about this RFP. The RFP contains a copy of the scoring criteria that will be used for evaluation of proposals in Appendix A.

Questions

Please direct all questions via email to Tyler Wolford, Senior Specialist, Laboratory Response Network at tyler.wolford@aphl.org. APHL must receive all questions by 5:00 PM ET April 19, 2018. APHL will respond directly to the questions on an individual basis as they are received. APHL anticipates that it will then also post each question, together with the answers, to APHL’s procurement website within two business days of the date APHL provided the answer(s) to the individual.