APHL seeks to select 3 public health laboratories to serve as a National Influenza Surveillance Reference Centers providing influenza virus isolation, neuraminidase inhibition and whole genome sequencing testing services.

Requirements

Proposals will be evaluated based on the laboratory’s existing and/or potential capability and capacity to address the following testing services and requirements:

  • Influenza virus isolation (with in-house cell culture)
  • Neuraminidase inhibition testing
  • Influenza whole genome sequencing (WGS)
  • Ability to access and use the APHL AIMS environment for WGS data transfer and analysis
  • Database Management

Timeline

At this time, APHL anticipates the following schedule
July 15, 2015 – RFP Issued
July 23, 2015 – Informational Teleconference for RFP Q&A (see RFP for dial-in)
August 14, 2015 – RFP Responses Due
August 21, 2015 – Proposal Review Completed
August 24-27, 2015 – If needed, follow-up interviews and updated proposals due
August 28, 2015 – Final Review Completed and Reference Center Selection
September 1, 2015 – Begin Training and Season Preparations
October 1, 2015 – Contracts Finalized and Surveillance Testing Begins

Request for Proposal Materials

The National Influenza Surveillance Reference Center RFP provides details on how to complete this RFP. The RFP contains a copy of the scoring criteria that will be used for evaluation of proposals in Appendix C.

Selected Evaluation Team

The National Influenza Surveillance Reference Center RFP evaluation team has been selected and approved, as indicated in the RFP, by APHL’s Senior Director of Public Health Systems.

There are four (4) selected reviewers from CDC’s Influenza Division:

  • Three (3) laboratory team leads that are CDC subject matter experts in the test methods included in the RFP
  • One (1) acting Associated Director of Laboratory Science for the Influenza Division

There are four (4) selected reviewers from APHL’s membership:

  • One (1) Deputy Laboratory Director
  • Two (2) virology supervisors/experts from public health laboratories
  • One (1) APHL Influenza Subcommittee member that was formerly at a public health laboratory and remains an expert in the field of influenza test methods and laboratory leadership

Questions and Answers

Q: Can we get a copy of the relevant protocols for this project?

A: Yes, please contact Stephanie Chester directly to get a copy of the protocols. Please note that we are only able to share these protocols for informational purposes for the RFP (i.e., to inform budgetary and technical expertise requirements). These protocols are subject to change at any time; selected reference centers will be given updated protocols at the beginning of each season and at other times as necessary.

Budget and Training

Virus Isolation and Neuraminidase Inhibition

Laboratory Workflow

Records and Reporting

Whole genome sequencing (WGS)

Sequencing and analysis

Data storage and transfer

Submit Questions

​For more information on APHL's RFP process, visit the main RFP page.