MODIFICATION
R -- HSDB Needs Assessment
- Notice Date
- 8/30/2011
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- 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
- 9/27/2011
- Point of Contact
- Kimberly Pringle, Phone: 301-496-6546, Robin V. Hope, Phone: 301-435-4379
- E-Mail Address
-
kp271m@nih.gov, hoperv@mail.nih.gov
(kp271m@nih.gov, hoperv@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial service prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information contained in this notice. The procurement is being conducted utilizing FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This announcement constitutes the formal Request for Quotes (RFQ) HHS-NIH-NLM-11-147-KDP. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through January 2010 Federal Acquisition Regulation revision, which includes the consolidation of all Federal Acquisition Circulars 2005-53. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541690; and this acquisition is a small business set-aside. Contract type is fixed price. 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 over 150 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. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE PROCUREMENT 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 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. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS The contractor shall 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. DELIVERABLES The contractor will provide a series of reports or plans, one for each task as listed above in each task description. These are due within 1 month of the end of the period of performance PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance is six (6) months from the effective date. The anticipated award date is September 19, 2011. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The contractor will meet monthly with SIS staff and provide a verbal and written summary of activities and status of progress. These meetings may be held in person or via teleconference/webmeeting. SIS staff will be available outside of monthly meetings to address questions or concerns the consultant may have. The resulting report will become the property of the government. During the last two weeks of the period of performance, a final meeting will be held for the contractor to present the draft final report recommendations and allow SIS staff to ask questions and receive feedback from the contractor regarding the recommendations of the report. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES The government, with discretion, will provide the contractor with access to relevant HSDB project information as needed. Evaluation Criteria The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the perspective vendors to meet the needs of the project as set forth in the Statement of Work. Prospective vendors must submit information sufficient to allow NLM to evaluate based on the stated criteria. Content and technical factors are of paramount consideration; however, cost is also important to the overall award decision. All evaluation factors other than cost, when combined, are significantly more important than cost. The Government can make tradeoffs among cost and technical factors in determining which Offeror(s) provide the best value by awarding to other than the lowest cost Offeror(s) or other than the highest technically rated Offeror(s). Offeror(s) are advised that award will be made to that Offeror(s) whose quote provides the best overall value to the Government. In determining which quote represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government's needs, the Government shall evaluate quotes using the following technical evaluation criteria, which are listed in the order of relative importance with weights assigned for evaluation purposes: Criterion A - Technical Approach (Total Possible Points: 45) The proposal will be evaluated based on the logic and feasibility of the technical approach to conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and, based on the outcomes, providing recommendations. The needs assessment should include the toxicological, chemical, and regulatory information needs of scientific, policy, advocacy, and consumer (general public) communities for potentially hazardous chemicals. In addition to the information needs, the proposal should also assess the database content and process used to compile and review the database. The recommendations should not merely be listed, but include an implementation plan for enacting the recommended changes. If the assessment outcomes indicate that any current practices should be continued, the recommendations should include this information as well. The proposal will be evaluated based on the extent of the assessment and recommendations. Meaning, the assessment and recommendations must address current and future user needs and consider current and emerging technologies. Criterion B - Personnel, Organization(s) Involved, Resources, Facilities (Total Possible Points: 30) The proposal should identify personnel with education and experience appropriate for conducting comprehensive needs assessments. The organization(s) should also identify personnel with subject matter background and expertise in chemistry, toxicology, bioinformatics or closely related field of science. The proposal should identify sufficient resources and facilities necessary to carry out the technical approach, especially the multiple data collection methods of the needs assessment. If organizations will be partnering to meet the requirements of this assessment, the organizations, facilities, personnel and duties should be clearly described. The proposal must include resumes or CVs for all proposed personnel. Criterion C - Past Performance (Total Possible Points: 25) The proposal will be evaluated based on past performance conducting needs assessments and providing recommendations based on outcomes. Past experience conducting needs assessments for similar scientific data projects is preferred. Quote Submission The offeror shall include all information which documents and/or supports the qualification criteria in one clearly marked section of its quote. All questions and inquiries regarding this combined synopsis/solicitation should be emailed to pringlek@mail.nih.gov no later than Friday, September 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM local prevailing time. Quotes received by Monday, September 12, 2011, 3:00 PM (EST) will be considered by NLM. Responses must be in writing, and must include pricing information and meet the criteria requirements. All responses from responsible sources will be considered. Please submit ONE (1) electronic copy of the quote on or before 3:00 PM local prevailing time, September 12, 2011 to: Kimberly D. Pringle Contract Specialist National Library of Medicine, NIH Office of Acquisitions 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105 MSC 5488 Bethesda, MD 20892-5488 (20817 for courier services) The contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this order. Full text of clauses and provisions are available at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/. The FAR provisions and clauses sited herein are incorporated by reference into this solicitation. Offerors are advised to submit proposals in accordance with the provision of FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (June 2008). FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (January 1999). Offerors are advised to provide with their offer a completed copy of the following provisions: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (October 2010)-With DUNS Number Addendum [52.204-6 (April 2008)]. The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (June 2010) and Addendum to Clause for Year 2000 Compliance (July 1997); FAR 52 212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (October 2010).
- 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: contractor site, United States
- Record
- SN02555288-W 20110901/110830235719-58b56f03212bcbaf3b7d4dcd79538daf (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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