Surveillance of severe influenza-associated encephalopathy and related complications in US children

This acquisition is for the use of an established multicenter pediatric surveillance network to identify and recruit critically ill pediatric patients hospitalized with influenza-associated encephalopathy. The contractor shall conduct active case findings within Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), abstract electronic health record (EHR) data, collect and test clinical specimens, obtain and upload primary neuroimaging, coordinate neuroradiology review, and perform longitudinal neurologic follow-up. This effort is to establish active surveillance for severe influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) among critically ill hospitalized children. CDC has not previously contracted for this level of targeted, ICU-based surveillance and comprehensive data collection for IAE, making this a new and unprecedented requirement.

The specific goals of this project are to:

1. Perform surveillance for severe IAE in hospitalized children with laboratory-confirmed influenza using standardized case definitions.
2. Collect clinical information on identified IAE cases to assess risk factors for severe disease, describe the disease course and spectrum of disease, and assess the impact of different clinical interventions including influenza vaccination and antiviral medications.
3. Assess influenza vaccination status of patients and other information about the hospital course.

The project includes the following optional goals (subject to identification of need and funding):

1. Evaluate neuroradiologic reports of children with severe IAE to allow for disease characterization.
2. Test clinical specimens to determine influenza virus subtype, detect additional bacterial/viral pathogens, and assess for pre- or post-treatment inflammatory markers.
3. Evaluate genetic and immunologic risk factors and pathways of severe IAE.
4. Assess neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive sequelae and quality of life outcomes after hospital discharge among severe IAE case patients.
5. Conduct surveillance of other severe complications of influenza and/or other viral respiratory diseases among critically ill hospitalized children.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all capability statements, proposals or responses received within 10 days of the issuance of this notice shall be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any proposals/response should be emailed to the contract specialist at email xvv9@cdc.gov by 2:00 PM (ET) on 7/2/2026.