SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Belarus Administration and Liaison for Chernobyl Related On-Going Studies
- Notice Date
- 8/18/2016
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E128, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- N02CP62667-76
- Archive Date
- 9/2/2016
- Point of Contact
- Catherine Muir, Phone: (240) 276-5434
- E-Mail Address
-
muirca@mail.nih.gov
(muirca@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Contracting Office Address: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E144, Bethesda, MD 20892, UNITED STATES Description: National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB), plans to procure on a sole source basis support services for administration from Belarus for scientific support of the Chernobyl related on-going studies from Olga Polyanskaya, Ph.D., 27-65 prospekt, Pobediteley, Minsk, BELARUS 220004. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1) and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $15.0M. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. The period of performance is estimated as follows: Base Period: Sept. 19, 2016 - Sept. 18, 2017 Option I: Sept. 19, 2017 - Sept. 18, 2018 Option II: Sept. 19, 2018 - Sept. 18, 2019 It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) is a research program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Division is the world's most comprehensive cancer epidemiology research group. Its renowned epidemiologists, geneticists, and biostatisticians conduct population and multidisciplinary research to discover the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer and new approaches to cancer prevention. The Division's research impacts public health policy in the United States and around the world. The research mission of the Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB) is to identify, understand, and quantify the risk of cancer in populations exposed to medical, occupational, or environmental radiation, and to advance understanding of radiation carcinogenesis. The CRU, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, sponsors a joint U.S.-Belarus study of the health effects of the Chernobyl Accident: "Thyroid Cancer and Other Thyroid Diseases in Belarus Following the Chernobyl Accident". The cohort of subjects for this study has recently been expanded by adding individuals exposed in utero to those exposed during childhood/adolescence. The Belarusian collaborators are predominantly located in Gomel's Republican Research Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology (RRCRM&HE) with a smaller component in Minsk Oblast where about a third of the cohort resides. This procurement is necessary because the administrative staff at RRCRM&HE and their related medical organizations/institutes generally do not speak or read English and are not familiar with the administrative policies required by NCI and the US government to conduct these studies. The Contractor shall provide on-site administrative and liaison support to the CRU in the studies noted above at RRCRM&HE. The conduct of these studies requires continuing and timely coordination of activities between NCI and the research institute, interacting with governmental, local scientific and medical institutions, and international centers. The Contractor will act as liaison and explain NCI policies to RRCRM&HE administrators usually through translation. Contractor shall perform the following: A. Technical Requirements (applicable to the Base Period, Term Option Period 1, and Term Option Period 2) The Contractor shall perform the following: 1. Attend monthly or ad hoc meetings held by RRCRM&HE staff in Minsk and Gomel engaged in the conduct of the above NCI supported studies and identify administrative, technical and logistical issues that need to be addressed by the NCI Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) working with RRCRM&HE administrators for resolution. 2. Report in writing or email the administrative and other issues identified above to the NCI COR and RRCRM&HE administrators, suggesting possible solutions. If necessary, arrange an international telephone conference involving the parties involved. 3. Organize site visits for the NCI COR and NCI CRU staff twice a year at RRCRM&HE (Gomel and Minsk locations) and develop the site-visit agendas. 4. Serve as a translator/interpreter from Russian to English and vice versa for English speaking and local individuals at the site visits and international telephone conferences. 5. Contact at least monthly the various government agencies, embassy personnel, and medical/professional organizations involved in the NCI-supported studies in Belarus to keep the COR aware of political, ethical, legal, and cultural activities that could have a potential effect on the NCI-supported projects. Report developments that could significantly influence the conduct of the NCI-supported projects to COR and RRCRM&HE administrators. 6. Interpret instructions (when needed) from the NCI requirements and directions, maintaining at a minimum weekly contact with senior staff at RRCRM&HE. The Contractor shall be required to travel to Gomel, Belarus to participate in discussions on the progress of the activities of this procurement which shall be made in the framework of meetings organized by NCI and attended by US and Belarusian experts. Travel costs incurred during these trips to Gomel are included in the proposed costs. B. Contractor Qualifications The Contractor must reside in Belarus in order to provide the constant presence that is required for the numerous administrative needs that arise; the Contractor shall maintain communication facilities (telephone, e-mail, fax, printer, and computer and a point of contact). They must possess the ability to speak and write in the two languages (Russian and English), proficiently using scientific terminology. The Contractor shall also possess in-depth knowledge of the health organizations in Belarus as well as knowledge of scientific and technical details of the projects underway and have an established network of professional contacts in academia and government. In addition, the Contractor shall also have scientific expertise in Chernobyl health and environmental issues, including a doctoral or equivalent degree. C. Period of Performance Period of performance shall be from September 19, 2016, or date of award whichever is later for twelve months with two one-year Term option periods. D. Government Responsibilities The NCI COR will be responsible for reviewing the work done by the Contractor, making sure that it is consistent with the terms of the Contract, and approving the reports provided by the Contractor. E. Reporting Requirements and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide quarterly reports to summarize activities, including attendance at meetings, institutions and advice provided and explained. This report shall be submitted electronically by e-mail to the NCI COR beginning 90 days after award, and for every 90 days following for the base year and each option year (if exercised). F. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria After receipt of invoices the NCI COR has 15 days to review and accept based on the completeness and adequacy of the issues addressed. G. Payment Payment shall be made quarterly, in arrears, after submission of invoice to the address shown in the purchase order. An invoice that will be submitted quarterly to the NCI COR, by the last day of the month ending each quarter. H. Options: Options are included in this SOW: FAR Clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (March 2000). "(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 45 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 45 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension." "(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed three (3) YEARS." I. Clearances IRB: OH95CN021 "Scientific Protocol for the study of Thyroid Cancer and Other Disease in Belarus following the Chernobyl Accident OMB: Clinical Exemption CE-99-10-02 J. Award Award will be made in the aggregate, and will be a Firm-Fixed Price contract. This support services are provided by the Dr Olga Polyanskaya. The proposed source is uniquely qualified, professionally and geographically, to fulfill all the criteria identified in the Statement of Work. Given her background, scientific training and experience already gained in these projects, she possesses the qualifications required to perform the needed technical requirements, particularly the proposed source can speak and write in Russian and English fluently and is proficient in using scientific terminology. She has professional ties with many experts in this project's scope of work having been involved directly and as a subject matter expert in these projects from their very beginning. She participated in the discussions being held just prior to the transfer of the Project from Minsk to Gomel and she continued actively working in Minsk and commuting as necessary to Gomel. She directed the quality control and epidemiologic activities in the project for the past 6-8 years. Dr. Polyanskaya is a resident of Minsk but as already mentioned, for the past 6 years she often commuted to Gomel for conferences technical discussions and consultation to the local staff. She has established direct contact with the local medical staff who are vital to the success of the project. The proposed source has a keen insight into potential problems, understands the American approach to project management and can adopt it to Belarusian reality and work culture effectively interfacing US management with Belarusian operation mode. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses must be received in the contracting office by 12:00PM EDT, on Sept. 1, 2016. All responses and questions must be in writing and faxed (240) 276-5401 or emailed to Catherine Muir, Contracting Officer via electronic mail at muirca@mail.nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid, current Entity Record, including current Representations and Certifications, in the System for Award Management (SAM) through SAM.gov. Reference: N02CP62667-76 on all correspondence.
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