SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- HSDB Needs Assessment
- Notice Date
- 8/2/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105, Bethesda, Maryland, 20894, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NLM-11-147-KDP
- Archive Date
- 8/31/2011
- Point of Contact
- Kimberly Pringle, Phone: 301-496-6546
- E-Mail Address
-
kp271m@nih.gov
(kp271m@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This is a Small Business Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service- disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) is conducting a market survey only to help determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses of various types such as veteran-owned small businesses and/or HUBZone small businesses. Interested small business must be capable of serving the needs identified below and must the necessary skills as identified. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541690 with a small business size standard of $7.0 million. This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government. This notice is intended strictly for market research. Background The National Library of Medicine's (NLM's) Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS) administers an extensive toxicology and environmental health information resources program (TEHIP). This program started in 1967 as a result of recommendations from the President's Science Advisory Committee under President Lyndon Johnson. An important component of the program is providing access to information through publicly available databases and other web resources. The TEHIP program currently comprises many databases offering a wide range of toxicology and environmental health information of importance to health professionals, the general public, scientists, and policymakers. One of these databases, the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), started over 25 year ago as the Toxicology Databank (TDB), functions as an online hand book of toxicology information for key chemical substances. Today, HSDB is a widely used global online resource that summarizes or excerpts an extensive variety of toxicological and environmental data on over 5,500 potentially hazardous chemicals. The purpose of HSDB is to provide information in various subject areas including human exposure, industrial hygiene, emergency handling procedures, environmental effects, regulatory requirements,, pharmacology and more. The types of substances included in HSDB have broadened over the years to keep up with the latest technologies, e.g., nanomaterials are a recent addition. The data are gathered, organized and referenced from a set of books, government documents, technical reports and selected primary journal literature and reputable online sources. HSDB currently organizes this information into over150 data fields. Prior to public dissemination, the chemical records are peer reviewed by the Scientific Review Panel (SRP), a committee of scientists with expertise in the relevant subject areas. The SRP meets three times a year to complete about 330 complete record reviews each year. Objectives The purpose of this contract is to procure professional consultation services to reexamine the needs of the scientists, health professionals, educators, students, non-profit organizations, policy makers and the general public for such an information resource. The contractor shall carry out a needs assessment with the various types of users and potential users of HSDB and identify the specific types of information they need, where they currently obtain that information, how and where they would prefer to obtain the information, and any known gaps in available information. The study shall include an assessment of how closely the current HSDB matches the identified needs expressed by those included in the needs assessment. As part of this process the consultant will have access to previous reviews of HSDB and their recommendations. Once the needs assessment is completed the contractor shall use the results to provide recommendations to NLM about the need for such a compendium of toxicology information. If there is such as need, the contractor shall identify the possible structure, content, and data sources for such a compendium. These sources may be free or available by license, already part of the TOXNET system, or U.S. or international. The recommendations shall include a discussion of the overall proposed content of a "new" HSDB, the way the data may used to build the database, and how the contents may best be presented to users (look and feel). Where ever possible the recommended sources of information should be available electronically to minimize the need for manual processing. NLM is very concerned about not only meeting current needs of users but meeting future needs and staying current with technology as well as with the science. Issues that must be addressed in developing an information resource for the 21st century include the use of mobile technologies and the expectations for immediate availability of the precise piece of information needed at the moment. Consideration must also be given to recent publications and findings from government and non-governmental organizations such as: Charting the Course for the 21st Century: NLM's Long Range Plan 2006-2016 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/plan/lrpdocs.html Addressing Public Health and Chemical Exposures: Addressing Public Health and Chemical Exposures An Action Agenda, National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures, Leadership Council, June 2011 http://www.nationalconversation.us/docs/national-conversation-document-library/national-conversation-action-agenda.pdf?Status=Master Project Requirements Task Definition: Task 1 Conduct a thorough needs assessment of the scientific, policy, advocacy, and consumer (general public) communities to identify needs for toxicological, chemical, and regulatory information specifically focused on hazardous and potentially hazardous chemicals. Use multiple methods to obtain data such as structured interviews, expert panels, surveys (require OMB clearance), etc. NLM is particularly interested in obtaining input from subject matter experts, information technology experts, and librarians so if expert panels are used we would anticipate at least two panels with different expertise. Prepare a report with an analysis of the findings and determination of the need for HSDB or another type of electronic compendium. Task 2 Based upon the results of Task 1 and further analysis of the data available, the scientific and technological environment, prepare recommendations to NLM on the following: 1.The scope and coverage of such an electronic compendium of toxicological and environmental health information 2.Specific categories of data to be included and how it should be structured 3.Potential sources of content, preferably electronic 4.Database building process that is scalable and easily interactive with other databases 5.Platforms for storage and distribution including the use of handheld devices (e.g, smartphones and tablets), social media and emerging platforms and technologies 6.Potential for non-textual information including chemical structures, 3-dimensional information, images, maps 7.Connections to existing NLM information resources 8.Management and necessary review processes such as the current Scientific Review Panel or an alternative scientific review process. Task 3 Based upon the outcomes of the previous tasks, submit a plan to NLM for the implementation of the recommendations. Anticipated Period of Performance The period of performance is six (6) months from the effective date. The anticipated award date is on or about September 7, 2011. Other Important Considerations The proposed acquisition will be procured in accordance with the policies and procedures under FAR 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the National Library of Medicine. This Sources Sought Notice is not a Request for Quotes (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available. Interested firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice must adhere to the following: (a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirement. The capability statement should contain sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding capabilities; however, the statement should not exceed 10 pages. As the skills necessary to perform this requirement, SIS believes the contractor should have experience in conducting needs assessments and will include staff with expertise in toxicology (preferable as evidenced by an advanced degree in toxicology or closely related field of science) and a strong understanding of databases and database systems, and scientific information. (b) The capability statement must identify the responder's: small business type and size; DUNS number; NAICS code; and technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. (c) All capability statements must be submitted electronically no later than 12:00pm eastern standard time on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 to Kimberly Pringle, pringlek@mail.nih.gov. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/OAM/HHS-NIH-NLM-11-147-KDP/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: contractors place of business, United States
- Record
- SN02519141-W 20110804/110802235736-ec40cafcb2ea0c61aed9bba60270af4c (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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