SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Neurocardiology Consulting Support Services - Solicitation in Word
- Notice Date
- 6/27/2017
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 4211, MSC 9559, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-9559, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20892-9559
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-CSS-17-368
- Archive Date
- 7/15/2017
- Point of Contact
- Jermaine Duncan, Phone: 3018277515
- E-Mail Address
-
jermaine.duncan@nih.gov
(jermaine.duncan@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Solicitation in Word Neurocardiology Consulting Support Services Competitive Combined Synopsis/Solicitation HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-CSS-17-368 INTRODUCTION This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 13--Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12--Acquisition of Commercial Items. The solicitation number is HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-CSS-17-368 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 541690 with a Size Standard of $15 Million. SET-ASIDE STATUS This acquisition is unrestricted and available for full and open competition. Contractors of all business sizes may respond. ACQUISITION AUTHORITY This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and IS NOT expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-95, dated January 19, 2017. The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through this date. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT Background The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component Institute of the National Institutes of Health, conducts research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke. The NINDS's mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. In particular, the Clinical Neurocardiology Section (CNCS) within the NINDS's Division of Intramural Research (DIR) conducts mainly patient-oriented research, with emphasis on autonomic and catecholamine-related disorders. Neurocardiology consulting support services are required on biomarkers, mechanisms, and treatment of catecholamine depletion and other abnormalities in Parkinson disease and related disorders, to further the CNCS's existing clinical and preclinical research projects. Purpose The purpose of this requirement is to acquire neurocardiology consulting support services for the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in clinical neurocardiology (specifically in autonomic and catecholamine-related disorders), for (1) development, implementation, and reporting the results of clinical research and (2) consultation in the diagnosis and management of patients referred for autonomic or catecholamine-related disorders. Project Requirements Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, professional liability insurance, material, equipment and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the below stated requirements. The Contractor shall provide the following neurocardiology Subject Matter Expert services: •Provide technical expertise on procedures of autonomic function testing in research subjects participating in active protocols of the Clinical Neurocardiology Section (CNCS). This includes assisting with protocol development and amendments. •Assist in development of new tests that can be carried out under clinical research protocols of the CNCS. Customized testing may include clinical, physiological, pharmacologic, neurochemical, neuroimaging, immunohistochemical, or genetic approaches. The Contractor will utilize knowledge of a broad range of testing and current literature to advise Government staff on appropriate testing options for achieving clinical and scientific goals. •Provide technical expertise on basic research and animal experiments related to biomarkers, mechanisms, or treatment of autonomic or catecholamine-related disorders. This includes assistance with devising, designing, and constructing basic or animal experiments and reviewing the results with CNCS researchers. •Assist with analysis and interpretation of data derived from tests of autonomic or catecholamine-related functions in human subject research or basic experiments. Assist in the collection of research results for publications related to catecholamine-related functions per the timeline requested by the Government staff. •Serve as a technical expert on clinical and pre-clinical approaches to protocols, patient care, and patient-oriented research in autonomic and catecholamine-related disorders. Level of Effort: The level of effort is estimated at one (1) contractor for up to 80 labor hours during the base period of performance of this purchase order. 80 labor hours are estimated during each option period. Government Responsibilities The Government will provide the contractor with a laptop computer along with necessary software. The Government will provide the contractor with access to the CNCS folder on the server managed by NINDS IT. The Government will reimburse the Contractor for travel and lodging necessary to carry out the Contract. Delivery and Deliverables DeliverablesPerformance StandardAcceptable Quality LevelMethod Used/Frequency Assist with and provide technical expertise on procedures of autonomic function testing in research subjects participating in active protocols of the Clinical Neurocardiology Section (CNCS). In accordance with statement of work: Daily 98%Daily Assist in development of new tests that can be carried out under clinical research protocols of the CNCS. In accordance with statement of work: As needed98%Daily Assist with and provide technical expertise on basic or animal experiments relevant to research of the CNCS. In accordance with statement of work: Daily98%Daily/Monthly Assist with analysis and interpretation of data derived from tests of autonomic or catecholamine-related functions in human subject research or basic experiments. In accordance with statement of work: Daily98%Daily/Monthly Assist with reporting results of clinical and basic research. In accordance with statement of work: Daily98%Daily/Monthly Submission of invoice on a within 15 business days of site visit for approval and payment.In accordance with statement of work: 15 business days of site visit. 95%15 business days of site visit. Reporting Requirements Provide a final technical report, including a Gantt chart, of all research results to the NINDS CNCS Section Chief. Report shall be completed in the template provided by the Government. The Program Office and Contractor may discuss updates to the template during the award period of performance. Reports shall be submitted at the end of or within 15 business days after each site visit to NIH. Reports shall be in electronic form and submitted as email attachments. Other Considerations Key Personnel The Contractor employee working under this award shall be considered key personnel. Key Personnel requirements are as follows: •Doctorate of Medicine from an accredited University •License to practice medicine •At least 15 years of experience in methodology, design analysis, interpretation and reporting of clinical and basic research about autonomic and catecholamine-related disorders. •Five (5) years research and clinical trial protocol and strategic planning experience at a University or academic medical center. The proposed Key Personnel will become subject to the provisions of Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) Clause HHSAR 352.237-75 Key Personnel as follows: The key personnel specified in this contract are essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to the contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement's skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract (including, when applicable, Human Subjects Testing requirements). If the employee of the contractor is terminated for cause or separates from the contractor voluntarily with less than thirty days notice, the Contractor shall provide the maximum notice practicable under the circumstances. The Contractor shall not divert, replace, or announce any such change to key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The contract will be modified to add or delete key personnel as necessary to reflect the agreement of the parties. The following individual(s) is/are essential to the work being performed hereunder: Name Title To be determined in the contract awardAutonomic and Catecholamine-Related Disorders Subject Expert It is required that all contractors involved with the NINDS community work collaboratively with federal staff and other contractors towards the NINDS mission and other affected organizations and follow the direction of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and/or the designated Federal Project Manager(s)/Lead(s). This collaboration includes day-to-day activities, support, development, knowledge transfer and creating and sharing documentation when required. Travel: The Contractor shall be required to travel to the contiguous United States to provide the services described in this statement of work. Travel reimbursement will be provided for such required travel. All travel arrangements must be made in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and must be approved by the Contracting Officer and authorized by the Contracting Officer's Representative prior to being finalized or invoiced. Please note that time spent travelling may not be billed to the Government. Please see the Federal Travel Regulation for allowable travel expenses, such as fares, rental fees, mileage payments, and other expenses related to transportation per FTR §301-10.2. Information System Security Plan: The contractor shall take the IT Security Awareness training and will be provided an NIH email address and a property pass for an NIH Macintosh laptop computer as prescribed by federal information technology security policies. Contractor shall have electronic access to the clinical research database and folder of the Clinical Neurocardiology Section via the intramural NINDS server. Data Rights: The NINDS shall have unlimited rights to and ownership of all deliverables provided under this procurement. In addition, it includes any additional deliverables required by contract change. The definition of "unlimited rights" is contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 27.401, "Definitions." FAR clause 52.227-14, "Rights in Data-General," is hereby incorporated by reference and shall be made a part of any resulting contract/order. Confidentiality of Information: The Government has determined that the information/data that the Contractor will provide during the performance of the contract is of a sensitive nature. The Contractor shall abide by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and protect sensitive data that include patient medical records, contract information, financial and budget records, and IP addresses. Disclosure/download of information/data, in whole or in part, by the Contractor may only be made after the Contractor receives written approval from the Contracting Officer. Data shall not be downloaded to or stored on portable devices or outside systems without Government encryption. Whenever the Contractor is uncertain about the proper handling of information/data under the contract, the Contractor shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer. Non-Personal Service Statement: The contract employee performing services will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S. Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Period of Performance The period of performance for this requirement shall be as follows: Base: July 15, 2017 through July 14, 2018 Option 1: July 15, 2018 through July14, 2019 Option 2: July15, 2019 through July 14, 2020 Option 3: July 15, 2020 through July 14, 2021 Place of Performance The place of performance shall be the NIH Clinical Center, located at 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892. Alternative place of performance (e.g. off-site) up to the agreement of the Contractor and Government. Contract Type The Government intends to issue a firm fixed price order for this requirement. Invoicing shall be on a NET30 basis and payment shall be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). RESPONSE FORMAT Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The offeror must submit 1) a technical response and 2) a separate price quotation. The technical response should be prepared in reference to the evaluation criteria identified in this solicitation and may be up to thirty (30) single-sided pages. The price quotation must include an hourly rate as well as extended pricing for the full level of effort. Contractors must provide their Company Name, Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Business Size, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information in their responses. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov." EVALUATION CRITERIA The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this requirement on the basis of best value, technical factors and price considered. Technical factors together shall be considered more important than price. The technical evaluation factors are as follows: Factor 1: Technical Capability The Contractor's proposal shall address each area of the Statement of Work (SOW) requirements in sufficient detail to demonstrate a clear understanding of the SOW and compliance with requirements. The Contractor shall provide evidence of capabilities in relation to assessment of patients with known or suspected autonomic or catecholamine-related disorders and relevant basic or animal research. Factor 2: Key Personnel Qualifications Offeror proposals shall be evaluated for level of conformance to the key personnel qualifications identified in the SOW. Offeror proposals must contain a resume/CV as well as copies of current certifications relevant to the key personnel qualifications. Factor 3: Past Performance The Contractor shall provide a list of two (2) past performance references with knowledge of the Contractor's relevant skills and experience related to the requirements outlined in this SOW. References shall include the following information: a.Name of Organization b.Description of Contractor's responsibilities as they relate to this SOW c.Contract Period of Performance d.Contact Name and Title e.Telephone Number f.E-mail address Past Performance shall be evaluated for relevance to the current requirement. Technical proposals will be evaluated using a summary adjectival rating in accordance with the following scale: Excellent The proposal has exceptional merit and reflects an excellent approach which will clearly result in the superior attainment of all requirements and objectives. This clearly achievable approach includes several advantageous characteristics of substance, and very few disadvantages, which can be expected to result in outstanding performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is very low as the proposal provides solutions which are unquestionably feasible and practical. These solutions are further considered very low risk in that they are exceptionally clear and precise, fully supported, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: Very Low Good The proposal demonstrates a sound approach which is expected to meet all requirements and objectives. This sound approach includes advantageous characteristics of substance, and few relatively minor disadvantages, which collectively can be expected to result in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is low as the proposal contains solutions which are considered feasible and practical. These solutions are further considered to reflect low risk in that they are clear and precise, supported, and demonstrate an understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: Low Acceptable The proposal demonstrates an approach which is capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. The approach includes both advantageous and disadvantageous characteristics of substance, where the advantages are not outweighed by the disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages are likely to result in acceptable performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is moderate, as the proposal solutions are generally feasible and practical. These solutions may also be considered to reflect moderate risk in that they may be somewhat clear and precise, partially supported, and/or demonstrate a general understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: Neutral Marginal The proposal demonstrates an approach which may not be capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. The approach has disadvantages of substance and advantages, which if they exist, are outweighed by the disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages present a low or questionable likelihood of resulting in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is high as the proposal contains solutions which may not be feasible and practical. These solutions may also be considered to reflect high risk in that they lack clarity and precision, are generally unsupported, and/or do not demonstrate a complete understanding of the requirements. Risk Level: High Unacceptable The proposal demonstrates an approach which, based on a very high risk, will very likely not be capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. This approach has several disadvantages of substance, and advantages which, if they exist, are outweighed by disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages are unlikely to result in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is very high as the proposal contains solutions which are not feasible and practical. The solutions may also be considered to reflect very high risk in that they lack any clarity or precision. Risk Level: Very High APPLICABLE CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS The following FAR clauses and provisions shall apply to this solicitation: 1.All Offerors MUST be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. 2.The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (October 2015), applies to this acquisition. 3.FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (October 2014) applies to this acquisition. 4.A completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (July 2016), is required with any offer submitted. This requirement may be met by completion of the provision in the System for Award Management. 5.FAR clauses 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (May 2015) 6.52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (September 2016) apply to this acquisition. The following clauses shall be checked/included in this clause: 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2015) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jul 2013) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb 2016) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015). 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sept 2016) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) 7.52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) 8.52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) 9.52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Jul 2013) 10.FAR Clause 52.237-2 -- Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation (April 1984) applies to this acquisition. 11.Please see attached applicable information security clauses. 12.The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. In addition, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All Offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov." CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) shall be assigned to the awarded contract. The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance. The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. Any signed agreement shall be incorporated by reference in Section K of the contract The Government may unilaterally change the COR designation for this contract. CLOSING INFORMATION Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. All responses must be received by the closing date of this announcement and must reference solicitation number HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-CSS-17-368. Responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Jermaine Duncan, Contract Specialist, at jermaine.duncan@nih.gov
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