SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Evaluation of CSR Processes Simulation Models
- Notice Date
- 9/12/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Rockledge Dr. Bethesda, MD, Office of Acquisitions 6701 Rockledge Dr RKL2/6100 MSC 7902, Bethesda, MD, 20892-7902
- ZIP Code
- 20892-7902
- Solicitation Number
- NHLBI-PB(RG)-2006-332-CDM
- Response Due
- 9/23/2006
- Archive Date
- 10/8/2006
- Description
- THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REQUESTED. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA) for the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) at the National Institutes of Health intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive basis to Twilight Training LLC, 519 IH-30 #247, Rockwall, Texas 75087, to conduct the evaluation of ?CSR Processes (Simulation Models) that Predict Proposal Demand & Related Workload Resources?. The statement of work is as follows: Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Review (CSR) manages the flow of incoming research proposals to NIH. CSR receives all NIH proposals. In triage fashion, CSR decides which area within NIH is the most appropriate to review the proposals. Approximately 40% of the proposals are referred to other groups, and approximately 60% of the proposals are reviewed by CSR personnel. This equates to about 45,000 to 50,000 proposals per year that are reviewed by CSR. Periodically, CSR management must adjust the number of CSR reviewers to meet the incoming level of proposal demand. Annually, CSR management must forecast the next year?s expected resource level for budgeting purposes. If the forecast is significantly different from the actual required level of resources, several mid-year funding changes must be accommodated. These changes are time-consuming, wasteful, and prevent proper allocation of funds to other areas within CSR and NIH. Consequently, CSR management is motivated to create more accurate forecasts of the number of incoming proposals so that the proper level of resources can be established. In the past, CSR has used statistical forecasts for incoming demand. At times, this method has been significantly erroneous, resulting in mid-year funding and resource allocation changes. As an example, one year the statistical forecast predicted a 9% reduction in applications, but the actual number of applications that came in during that year represented a 21% increase over the previous year. As a result, CSR desires to explore other forecasting methods in an attempt to improve its prediction of required resource levels. Scope of Work: The objective of this project is to understand changes in applicant behavior to create a better forecast of the demand for review services. A system dynamics (SD) simulation model will be developed as an alternative to the traditional statistical model. An SD model is a structural model of the system under study, which means that it incorporates the operational activities and management processes that make up that system itself. (See Appendix A for an example.) On the other hand, statistical models only use data related to the system under study and, in fact, treat the system itself as a black box for which there is no knowledge of the internal workings. Because most of the SD model will revolve around activities and decision-making processes that lie outside of CSR, part of this effort will include interviews with members of academia to understand better their processes and motivations for submitting applications to NIH. Appendix A: Example System Dynamics (SD) Model will be provided on request. The period of performance is expected to begin on September 2006 through March 2007. Dr. J. Chris White of Twilight Training has been contracted by the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) to gather similar data for another prediction model. In order to take advantage of the knowledge gained in that project and lower the overall costs of this study, the Government seeks to acquire the services of Twilight Training for this effort. In order to maintain continuity of the methodologies used in the previous OER studies and the knowledge gained by Twilight Training in the completion of the studies a sole source award is contemplated. The sole source determination is based upon the knowledge and experience the gained by Twilight Training during the performance on the previous NIH, OER evaluation project. An award to any other source for this follow-on contract would result in a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures. It is noted that FAR Part 6, Competition Requirements, is not applicable simplified acquisition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) applicable to this requirement is 541990, Size Standard $6.5 million dollars. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties are requested to review the above requirements and submit a statement of interest. The statements of interest are to be reviewed and evaluated based upon the following criteria. 1) Understanding of the requirement and adequacy of the proposed approach. Experience and understanding of the use of system dynamics models for forecasting and budgeting purposes. Knowledge of and experiences in developing system dynamics-based process flow simulation models. 2) Qualification of Personnel. Documented education, experience, and qualifications. Documented experience in reviewing clinical research proposals. Documented experience with the external clinical research communities. Minimum education of M.S. Engineering Management education from an accredited University. Certification from the American Society Quality (ASQ). 3) Past Performance. Proof of successful past performance on similar projects. The contractor shall submit a statement of interest which includes: a firm fixed price, documentation of similar projects, at least three (3) references documenting successful past performance in meeting the Government?s minimum specifications. The submission will be evaluated on the submission of the above documents on or before September 23, 2006 by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard time. The submission must also include any prompt payment discount terms, the Dun & Bradstreet number (DUNs), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and the offerors Business size. The Offeror must also register in the Government?s Contractor Registry system. Note ? http://www.ccr.gov .? The determination by the Government not to compete the 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 future competitive procurement. Responses to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-PB(RG)-2006-332-CDM, may be submitted by mail to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, Procurement Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge Building 2, Suite 6042, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Cecilia Morales, by fax transmission to (301) 480-3345 or by email to moralesc@nhlbi.nih.gov. All responsible sources may submit information, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bethesda, Maryland
- Zip Code: 20892-7776
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 20892-7776
- Record
- SN01140591-W 20060914/060912220226 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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