Summary

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking to re-compete four (4) laboratories to provide a flexible shared services model that enhances capacity for vaccine preventable disease (VPD) testing to support CDC and jurisdictions. The selected VPD Reference Centers (VPD RCs) will provide a variety of testing services related to VPDs including molecular detection, genotyping/serotyping, bacterial serology and potentially viral serology and next generation sequencing. As needs arise, these reference centers may also provide testing for additional pathogens that require similar testing services to meet public health needs.

Eligibility and Requirements Overview

Applicants may apply to be a 1). Viral VPD reference center or 2). Viral AND Bacterial VPD reference center. Two sites will be selected as viral VPD reference centers and two sites will be selected as viral and bacterial reference centers. Eligible laboratories may apply to manage the Performance Evaluation Panel project as a supplement to either viral only or viral and bacterial activities (1 site selected). You may not apply for the optional Performance Evaluation Panel only.

Eligible laboratories include all public health laboratories with the following capabilities and facilities in place. Specific expectations regarding methodologies to be used by the awardees are outlined in Appendix A: Expectations for VPD Reference Centers. All applicants are required to agree to the following minimum requirements (as outlined in Appendix B) for the option(s) they select.

Anticipated RFP Schedule

October 7, 2024 – RFP Issued

​October 10, 2024 – Informational teleconference (optional)​​

October 21, 2024 – Letter of Intent Due to APHL (see below)

November 22, 2024 – RFP Responses Due

December 9, 2024 – Proposal review completed

December 16, 2024 – As needed, follow-up interviews/proposals due

December 20, 2024 – Final review completed and awardees selected

TBD – Training activities, as needed

July 1, 2025 – 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 public health laboratories (PHLs).

Response Submittal​

Confirmation of Intent to Respond

APHL requires that prospective applicants submit a brief email statement to alisa.bochnowski@aphl.org and infectious.diseases@aphl.org indicating an intent to submit a proposal. APHL must receive this email by no later than 5:00 pm EST on the date the Letter of Intent is due. To allow for appropriate review process planning, a letter of intent is required for consideration.

Final Response

APHL must receive complete responses by 5:00 pm EST on the date RFP responses are due. Please see Proposal-Required Submissions section for items that must be included in the completed proposal. Applicants may send proposals via email to alisa.bochnowski@aphl.org and infectious.diseases@aphl.org. 

APHL will send an email acknowledging the receipt of your application; if you do not receive an acknowledgement within 2 business days, please email the RFP point of contact above 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

Is this RFP limited to only government public health laboratories or is APHL also seeking commercial testing partners?