RFI: Specialized Domestic and International Cold-Chain Logistics Services for the International Reagent Resource (IRR)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), operates the International Reagent Resource (IRR), a national and international distribution program that provides qualified public health, clinical, and research laboratories with diagnostic reagents, influenza viruses, molecular detection materials, quality control panels, and other biological products used to detect and characterize influenza and other respiratory pathogens.

The IRR distribution contractor manufactures, stores, and prepares these materials for shipment from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) facility located in Manassas, Virginia. Because many IRR products are temperature-sensitive biological materials, CDC requires reliable transportation services capable of maintaining strict cold-chain conditions while ensuring timely domestic and international delivery.

CDC is conducting this Request for Information (RFI) as part of market research to identify commercial logistics providers with demonstrated experience transporting temperature-sensitive biological materials while supporting international customs clearance and regulatory compliance.

Purpose

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information regarding commercial capabilities, best practices, and innovative approaches for transportation and logistics services supporting the domestic and international distribution of diagnostic reagents and other biological materials.

Information obtained from this RFI will assist CDC in defining acquisition requirements and determining the availability of qualified vendors capable of performing these services.

This RFI is issued solely for market research purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.

Description of Potential Requirement

The anticipated requirement may include, but is not limited to, the following services:

• Pickup of diagnostic reagents and biological materials from the ATCC facility in Manassas, Virginia.
• Domestic shipment throughout the United States.
• International shipment to public health laboratories, Ministries of Health, CDC partner laboratories, universities, and other authorized recipients worldwide.
• Transportation of refrigerated (2–8°C), frozen (-20°C), ultra-low temperature (-70°C/-80°C), and dry ice shipments.
• Continuous maintenance and monitoring of cold-chain conditions throughout transit.
• Validated packaging solutions that comply with applicable IATA, ICAO, DOT, and other domestic and international transportation regulations.
• Shipment tracking with real-time visibility.
• Expedited transportation services for urgent public health response activities.
• Customs brokerage services or coordinated customs clearance support.
• Assistance resolving customs delays to minimize impacts to product integrity.
• International regulatory support, including import/export documentation.
• Replacement of dry ice or temperature-control materials during extended transit when required.
• Customer support available across multiple time zones.
• Performance metrics for on-time delivery, temperature excursions, damaged shipments, and customs delays.
• Ability to support surge operations during seasonal influenza response, emerging infectious disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies.

Requested Information

Interested vendors are requested to submit the following information:

1. Company name, address, UEI, CAGE Code (if applicable), and primary point of contact.
2. Business size and socioeconomic status (e.g., Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB).
3. Description of experience providing domestic and international transportation of biological materials, diagnostic reagents, vaccines, laboratory specimens, or other temperature-sensitive medical products.
4. Description of cold-chain capabilities, including:
   • Temperature ranges supported.
   • Packaging solutions.
   • Temperature monitoring technologies.
   • Chain-of-custody procedures.
   • Procedures for responding to temperature excursions.
5. Description of international shipping capabilities, including:
   • Countries currently serviced.
   • Customs brokerage services.
   • Experience shipping infectious substances and biological materials.
   • Experience supporting government or public health organizations.
6. Description of surge capacity available during public health emergencies.
7. Description of quality management systems, certifications, and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO certifications, GDP compliance, IATA Dangerous Goods certifications).
8. Description of shipment tracking capabilities, customer notification systems, and reporting tools.
9. Description of experience supporting Federal agencies or other public health organizations with similar requirements.
10. Recommendations or best practices CDC should consider when developing a future performance work statement.

Response Instructions

Responses should not exceed ten (10) pages, excluding product brochures or capability statements.

Responses should be submitted electronically in PDF format.

Disclaimer

This Request for Information is issued solely for market research purposes in accordance with FAR Part 10.

This notice does not constitute a solicitation, request for proposal, or promise to issue a solicitation in the future. CDC is not seeking proposals or pricing at this time.

The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting responses.

Responses will be used solely to assist the Government in understanding marketplace capabilities and developing any future acquisition strategy.

Responding to this RFI is voluntary and is not a prerequisite for participation in any future procurement.

*WHEN RESPONDING PLEASE INCLUDE BOTH POINTS OF CONTACT*