National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Contracts Operations Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6100, MSC 7902, Bethesda, MD 20892

Q -- MEDICAL SERVICES!! SOL NHLBI-PS-2000-560!! DUE 030700 POC Deborah Coulter, Purchasing Agent, (301) 435-0368, Fax (301) 480-3345!! This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 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. The solicitation number is NHLBI-PS-2000-560 is issued as an request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 97-15. This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures. This acquisition is solicited as a total Small Business Set Aside. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code is 8099, Size Standard is $5.0M. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute intends to purchase the services of a Cardiology Technician to analyze ambulatory Holter monitor tapes for arrhythmia patient care and research studies. The Cardiology Branch performs studies of cardiac arrhythmia for patient care purposes and in clinical research protocols. Ambulatory (Holter) monitoring of patients permits 24-48 hour assessment of cardiac electrical activity and, in some cases, pacemaker function in order to determine, causes of symptoms (such as lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain), risk for sudden death, pacemaker function, and response to therapy. Ongoing studies have resulted in the need to obtain additional arrhythmia information from ambulatory monitoring recordings, which must be analyzed by an experienced technician. The task to be performed by the technologist is the reading and analyzing of ambulatory Holter monitor tapes using an (Oxford Medical System) computer with specialized software and a special tape deck. From the analyses of the Holter monitor recordings, the physician will be able to make accurate diagnoses and determine the appropriate course of treatment. It is anticipated that approximately 70 -- 80 tapes will be read and analyzed per month, depending on research and clinical demands. A data analysis report shall be generated and given to the requesting physician. The contractor must have at least (2) two years experience reading Holter monitor tapes (at least 500 tapes), and be able to discuss findings with Cardiology Branch Physician staff. The expected period of performance is March 2000 through October 2000. The service will be conducted at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Cardiology Branch, 10 Center Drive, Building 10 Room 7S248, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The F.O.B. Point is Destination. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items is applicable to this acquisition. The quotation will be evaluated on the following criteria : (a) Technical Capability -- conformance to the Government's scope of work. (b) Education -- provide proof of education and experience received; (c) Years of experience / Past Performance -- must have at least two (2) years experience reading Holter monitor tapes (at least 500 tapes) and a proven record of past performance. The quoter must provide references from a minimum of three (3) previous contractor's including contact name, address, and telephone number. The quoter must submit a loaded (inclusive of all direct costs, overhead, general & administrative expenses, insurance and benefits) hourly rate for the tasks to be performed and number of hours required to complete the project within the period of performance. The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. Therefore, the initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a technical and price standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received. Award will be made to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror meeting the Government's specifications. The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items -- Deviation For Simplified Acquisitions, applies to this acquisition. The following additional FAR clauses are applicable to this acquisition. (1) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246). (2) 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212). (3) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793). (4) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212). (5) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (5 U.S.C. 552a). There are no additional contract requirements or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. There are no additional Commerce Business Daily numbered notes applicable to this acquisition. The quotation must reference the solicitation number NHLBI-PS-2000-560. The quotation is due March 7, 2000 at 12:00 p.m. local prevailing time or fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis which ever is later. For additional information regarding the solicitation contact Ms. Deborah D. Coulter, (301) 435-0368. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.arnet.gov/far/ . Posted 02/22/00 (W-SN427330). (0053)

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