Loren Data's SAM Daily™

SAMDAILY.US - ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 08, 2023 SAM #7955
SOLICITATION NOTICE

A -- FY23 - DATA SCIENTIST (B+OPT3)

Notice Date

9/6/2023 10:49:47 AM
 

Notice Type

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
 

NAICS

541690 — Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
 

Contracting Office

242-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 02 (36C242) ALBANY NY 12208 USA
 

ZIP Code

12208
 

Solicitation Number

36C24223Q1097
 

Response Due

9/22/2023 9:00:00 AM
 

Archive Date

12/21/2023
 

Point of Contact

Clifford S. Harrison, Contracting Officer, Phone: 718.584.9000 Ext. 4680
 

E-Mail Address

Clifford.Harrison@va.gov
(Clifford.Harrison@va.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

SDVOSBC Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)
 

Awardee

null
 

Description

2 COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION: Data Scientist for East Orange (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, and FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. (ii) This solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). Request for Quote will be submitted through beta.sam.gov on RFQ reference number 36C24223Q1097. (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04 (eff. 06/02/2023). (iv) This solicitation is Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set-aside open market solicitation. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 Million. The FSC/PSC is AN14. (v) This is a services contract to provide Data Scientist at the East Orange VA Health Care System- located at 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018. The Contractor shall provide clear pricing as the Contracting Specialist will need to distinguish between the varying costs of the procurement in order to determine price reasonableness. (vi) The required work is as contained below in the Statement of Work. 1. Title: Exposure Related Care Transformation Center (EXPRT) and the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) 2. Purpose: This procurement is seeking clinical/health informatics expertise to include quantitative support (i.e., data science, big data analysis [using the VA s electronic health record] and statistical analysis of clinical trials in order to provide Veterans, policymakers, providers and researchers with up-to-date information on military environmental exposures. These skills will allow us to expand our program evaluation and research portfolio to ensure that implementation of the PACT Act meets the needs of Veterans and their providers. 3. Background: The EXPRT Center is located at the New Jersey War Related Illness and Injury Study Center. The EXPRT Center s mission is to transform care and improve health for Veterans with military exposure concerns by accelerating research into action through education, implementation support, evaluation, and research. Due to passage of the recent Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (referred as the PACT act ), there is increasing attention on the need to communicate information, knowledge, and best practices to VA s providers and Veterans around military environmental exposures. Additionally, a focus on military environmental exposures and related information is increasingly sought by policymakers that need concise and clear competing communications. 4. Scope: The Vendor shall be able to perform a range of activities to support high quality program evaluation and research ( new knowledge ) deliverables, including: i) gather, assess and synthesize data, scientific, medical technological and policy information from governmental and nongovernmental resources such as universities, private organizations, US Government agencies, international organizations and recognized experts worldwide, ii) maintain VA standards for data privacy and security, iii) perform statistical analysis to include analysis of VA s electronic health record, iv) facilitation and completion of regulatory documents. 5. Period of Performance: The period of performance is one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods. Performance shall start one month following the date of award. 6. Place of Performance: Work will be performed offsite at the contractor s facility for successful completion of required deliverables. Virtual meetings will be held at least weekly, along with a project kick-off and close-out meetings, lasting approximately 60 minutes each. Any additional meetings will be scheduled as needed. Meetings will be virtual using the Microsoft Teams or similar platform. Contractor must work within the VA secured electronic environment (Teams, SharePoint, etc.) to facilitate communications. 7. Travel: Travel to the WRIISC or affiliated sites for meeting support including photography or other collateral as needed. Local travel within a 50-mile radius from the contractor s and Government facility is considered the cost of doing business and will not be reimbursed. 8. Other Direct Costs (ODCs): The Government anticipates that ODCs will be required to address the requirements. ODCs are miscellaneous items such as suitable stock photography or printing as needed. ODCs will be reimbursed at contractor cost. Each contractor invoice must include copies of all receipts that support the ODCs claimed in the invoice and written substantiation for the incurred cost. The Contractor shall perform due diligence to ensure it incurs most favorable pricing prior to passing these costs on to the Government. Projected ODCs shall be reviewed by COR and authorized in advance by the Contracting Officer. 9. General Requirements: The deliverables specified herein include administrative, research, and statistical support. Efforts shall include analysis of VA electronic medical record data (i.e., CDW; presentation of statistical findings that are consistent with VA, VHA, and EXPRT/WRIISC strategic plans, policies, regulations, style guides, and publication standards; administrative support for research and evaluation protocols; and qualitative research support consistent with policies, regulations, style guides, and publication standards. The Government will provide clarification on recommendations, requirements, templates, standards, and guidelines on all deliverables when clarification is not provided in this SOW prior to any action taken by the contractor. All work products developed by the contractor (formal and informal deliverables) shall become the property of the Government. The contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to schedule a Project Kick-Off Meeting with key staff; the VA PM and advisory group prior to commencing work. The contractor personnel shall also complete standard administrative tasks (e.g., background investigation forms, staff roster, mandatory training) as required. The contractor shall prepare and submit progress reports to the COR and the VA PMs. Monthly status reports shall be accompanied by a copy of that month s invoice itemized by deliverable, as applicable. Progress reports shall include a narrative review of work accomplished during the reporting period itemized by project, significant events, problem areas, anticipated activity for the next reporting period, description of any travel or unique services provided, and other relevant information. The contractor shall regularly participate in contract management meetings TBD. The contractor shall work with the VA COR to prepare the meeting agenda and prepare summary notes. Meetings will also be held to gather input from subject matter experts (SME), identify their needs, and translate the strategic communication plan into action. Reports, meeting agendas, and draft/final deliverables will be saved and tracked on the VA network using SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. The contractor shall provide the specific deliverables described below within the performance period of the resulting contract. An outline for each product shall be created for review prior to developing content. All content shall be provided in draft and be subject to two rounds of revisions. Once written content is approved, layout and design can proceed again with two rounds of revisions. Where a written milestone deliverable is required in draft form, the VA COR and lead technical contact will complete a review of the draft deliverable and provide feedback within ten business days from date of receipt. The VA COR will provide approval for each final deliverable, or rejection of the final deliverable with summary reasons in writing within five business days. 10 Tasks 10.1 Task 1: Project Management 10.1.1. The vendor shall develop a project plan that outlines the overall strategic approach to the requested work. The plan should address: · Deliverables and deadlines · Resources needed · Roles and responsibilities · Monthly progress reports · Weekly teleconferences VA will review the proposed project plan and return it to the contractor within two weeks with comments and any adjustments that might need to be made. For initial drafts of other deliverables, VA will provide comments within 10 days of draft receipt. 10.2 Task Deliverables: Quantitative Statistical Support 10.2.1 Analysis of VA administrative data to include the electronic health record housed in the Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) within the VA Informational Computer Infrastructure (VINCI). This requires knowledge of software including ArcGIS, R, SAS, and STATA. 10.2.2 Independently navigates big data systems to create cleaned and linked datasets that can be used to analyze the Centers initiatives and predictive analytics. Independently analyzes big data and translates the findings into recommendations that will advance the work of the Center, VA and other stakeholders to improve care for military exposures. 10.2.3 Work collaboratively and closely with EXPRT/WRIISC SME s, etc. to develop analysis plans for evaluation protocols and grant applications and provide analysis support for peer-reviewed and internal presentations and publications. 10.2.4 Supports and augments existing research, model development, and education activities being performed by the Center through finding data, interpreting data, and utilizing data, to advance these projects. 10.2.5 Compile and complete regulatory documents for VA Research & Development, Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance, and interface with needed program offices as directed. 11. Personnel: Certain skilled experience professional and/or technical personnel are essential for accomplishing the work to be performed and provide the greatest value. These are defined as key personnel and are those persons the contractor identifies and those whose résumés are submitted. The Contractor agrees that the key personnel roles shall not be removed, diverted, or replaced from work without coordination with the CO and COR. The Contractor s key personnel shall satisfy the following technical requirements. A. Data Scientist: Master of Science or more advanced degree with emphasis on databases, data architectures, and data structures, algorithms, statistics or equivalent. High level of proficiency in software including but not limited to R, SAS, and STATA. Experience with NoSQL and SQL databases. Expert in statistics. Expert in algorithms. Strong oral and written communication skills. Work is performed with minimal supervision and guidance. Results of work are considered technically authoritative. 12. Substitution of Key Personnel: All Contractor requests for approval of substitutions hereunder shall be submitted in writing to the COR and the Contracting Officer at least thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the effective date, whenever possible, and shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution, a complete resume for the proposed substitute, and any other information requested by the Contracting Officer necessary to approve or disapprove the proposed substitution. New personnel shall not commence work until resumes are provided and accepted. The COR and the Contracting Officer will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the Contractor of approval or disapproval in writing. The Contractor shall be responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of all Contractor contracted personnel, as well as sub-contractor efforts used in performance of this effort. The Contractor s management responsibilities shall include all activities necessary to ensure the accomplishment of timely and effective support, performed in accordance with the requirements contained herein. 13. Information Security: The Contractor will require access to VA Information and VA Information Systems only to interact with subject matter experts, create content (e.g., VA s web, SharePoint, Teams), and facilitate communication. 14. Security: The C&A requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required 15. Government-Furnished Information, Equipment, and Facilities. The Government will provide access to information necessary for the execution of each task. 16. Security Requirements. The C&A requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required 17. Task Order Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The Government shall evaluate the contractor's performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the government must do to ensure the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rates. The Government shall evaluate the contractor's performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the government must do to ensure the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rates. Deliverable/Requirement Performance Standard Surveillance Method Outcome Project Management Milestones, and Schedule Notifies customer of potential problems 95% of the time. Submits Deliverables in accordance with the deliverable schedule within (+/-) five business days with no more than five incidents of performance slippage. 100% Inspection of agreed upon milestones per the approved project plan. 100% Inspection of deliverables. Notification occurs within two business days of potential issue when known in advance or within 24 hours of urgent problems, where less than two business days exist. 18. Organizational Conflict of Interest and non-disclosure requirements If the Contractor is currently providing support or anticipates providing support to the VHA that creates or represents an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest (OCI), the Contractor shall immediately disclose this actual or potential OCI in accordance with FAR Part 9.5. The contractor is also required to complete and sign an Organizational Conflict of Interest Statement in which the Contractor (and any sub-contractors, consultants or teaming partners) agree to disclose information concerning the actual or potential conflict with any proposal for any solicitation relating to any work in the TO. All actual or potential OCI situations shall be handled in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5. 19. Non-Disclosure Requirements All Contractor personnel (to include sub-contractors, teaming partners, and consultants) who shall be personally and substantially involved in the performance of the TO issued which requires the contractor to act on behalf of or provide advice with respect to any phase of an agency procurement, as defined in FAR 3.104-4, shall execute and submit an Employee/Contractor Non-Disclosure Agreement Form. This is required prior to the commencement of any work on such TO and whenever replacement personnel are proposed under an ongoing TO. Any information obtained or provided in the performance of this TO is only to be used in the performance of the TO. The price schedule provided below is a sample price schedule that needs to be completed. If you should choose to provide your own price schedule it needs to be clear and precise. BASE: AUGUST 1, 2023 JULY 31, 2024 Clin Description of Goods or Service Quantity Units Estimated Unit Price Per Hour Extended Line Item Price Estimate 0001 Data Scientist 1248 HRS TOTAL: OPTION YEAR 1: 09/29/2023 09/28/2024 1001 Data Scientist 1248 HRS TOTAL: OPTION YEAR 2: 09/29/2024 09/28/2025 2001 Data Scientist 1248 HRS TOTAL: OPTION YEAR 3: 09/29/2025 09/28/2026 3001 Data Scientist 1248 HRS TOTAL COMPLETE TOTAL 09/29/2023- 09/28/2024 Base $ 09/29/2024 09/28/2025 OY1 $ 09/29/2025 09/28/2026 OY2 $ 09/29/2026 09/28/2027 OY3 $ Complete Total of Contract $ (vii) The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition: The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (Jun 2021) a. Solicitation number for this requirement as 36C24223Q1097. b. Name, address and telephone number of offeror. c. Technical description of services to be performed in accordance with the Statement of Work. This Technical description should address the requirement specifically. Capability statements that are merely an overview of what the contractor offers will be determined incomplete. d. Terms of any express warranty. e. Price should be for all services detailed on the statement of work. The pricing must be broken down in a manner that allows for price reasonableness to be determined. Failure to provide complete pricing will result in contractors package being determined to be incomplete. Hourly rate shall be separated from any other costs. Failure to do so will result in automatically being disqualified. f. Acknowledgement of any solicitation amendments g. Past performance information h. A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. i. A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically). The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition: 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018) 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020) 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) 52.216-1 Type of Contract (APR 1984) 52.233-2 Service of Protest (SEPT 2006) 852.233-70 Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution. 852.233-71 Alternate Protest Procedure. (viii) The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items (OCTOBER 2014), applies to this acquisition. Award will be made to the offeror whose offer is determined to be the lowest price, technically acceptable (LPTA) after price is determined fair and reasonable. The offeror must be a responsible offeror and submit a package that meets all the technical and past performance requirements. Offeror must also meet the terms and conditions of all clauses and provisions. Once offerors are evaluated, the award will be made to the lowest price of responsible offerors, who meet technical criteria in response to this Request for Quotes. A quote may be determined to be unacceptable/incomplete if required information is missing or if the quote materially deviates from the requirements of the RFQ. The following factors will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. All complete quotes will be considered. However, if the lowest price quote is determined to be complete and acceptable under the Technical and Past Performance Factors, the award may be made to that offeror without further evaluation of higher priced quotes. Evaluation Factors: (1) Technical capability - Contractor shall provide a maximum 10-page capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet all of the requirements of the SOW. (2) Key Personnel: Provide offeror staffing plan involving communications specialists and web support specialists to include resumes of assigned personnel. (3) Contractor Experience: The offeror/vendor shall provide 3-5 instances of past experience of similar scope within the past 3 years with Data Scientist Services. Include the following information: Company name and address Name, telephone number and e-mail address of Company POC Dates of contract performance, aggregate award amount, and Contract number (viiii) FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (FEB 2021) Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required. (x) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items October 2018 The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition: The following clauses are incorporated into Addendum to FAR 52.212-4, 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (JUN 2020) 52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper (MAY 2011) 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018) 52.217-8 Option to extend Services (Nov 1999) 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000) 52.222-49 Service Contract Labor Standards-Place of Performance Unknown (MAY 2014) 52.227-14 Rights in Data-Existing Works (Dec 2007) 52.228-5 Insurance-Work on a Government Installation (JAN 1997) CL-120 Supplemental Insurance Requirements 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (DEC 2013) Default ( Fixed Price Supply and Service) (APR 1984) 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) 852.201-70 Contracting Officer Representative (Dec 2022) 852.211-76 Liquidated Damages-Reimbursement for Data Breach Costs (FEB 2023) 852.212-70 Provisions and Clauses Applicable to VA Acquisition of Commercial Items (APR 2020) - 852.203-70 Commercial Advertising. - 852.211-70 Equipment Operation and Maintenance Manuals - 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside. (NOV 2020) - 852.219-75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) - 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests. - 852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers. 852.219-73 VA Notice to Total Set-Aside for Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (JAN 2023) 852.219-76 Subcontracting Plans Monitoring and Compliance (JUL 2018) 852.237-75 Key Personnel (Oct 2019) 852.242-71 Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020) (xi) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders- Commercial Items (JAN 2021) The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation & First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) 52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020) 52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (June 2023) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JUN 2020) 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2018) 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2020) 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages Subcontracting Plan (JAN 1999) 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Re-representation (NOV 2020) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards - Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018) 52.222-44 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards - Price Adjustment (MAY 2014) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020) 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015) 52.222-55 Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (NOV 2020) 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer System for Award Management (OCT 2018) 52.242-5 Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017) (xii) All quoters shall submit the following: one copy of technical capability and pricing, and an additional redacted copy of all company information such as company name, address, UEI number & price. If your company is using a subcontractor for this requirement a VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting must be complete and submitted with your proposal. All quotations shall be sent ONLY to Clifford S. Harrison at Clifford.Harrison@va.gov This is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set-aside open market for Data Scientist Services as defined herein. The government intends to award a contract as a result of this combined synopsis/solicitation that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: ""The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."" OR ""The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"" Quoter shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s). Submission shall be received not later than 12:00pm EST on 09/22/2023 at Clifford.Harrison@va.gov. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). Faxed or postal mailed quotes will NOT be accepted. Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Contract Specialist Clifford S. Harrison at Clifford.Harrison@va.gov. All questions must be submitted by 09/14/2023 at 12:00PM EST. Point of Contact Clifford S. Harrison, Contracting Officer Clifford.Harrison@VA.gov NO PHONE CALLS.
 

Web Link

SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/367826f1adbd402998958dda005a201d/view)
 

Place of Performance

Address: East Orange 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018-1095, USA

Zip Code: 07018-1095

Country: USA
 

Record

SN06819865-F 20230908/230906230103 (samdaily.us)
 

Source

SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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