SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Management & Support Services for the HIV/AIDS Research Activities of the NCI
- Notice Date
- 3/13/2009
- 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, 6120 Executive Blvd., EPS Suite 600, Rockville, Maryland, 20852
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- NCI-90071-MM
- Archive Date
- 4/7/2009
- Point of Contact
- Melissa P Marino, Phone: 301-402-4509, Caren N Rasmussen,, Phone: (301) 402-4509
- E-Mail Address
-
marinome@mail.nih.gov, cr214i@nih.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR) plans to procure on a sole source basis for management and support services for the research and development activities of the HIV/AIDS program of the CCR, NCI with Tufts University 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111 This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and 13.501-(a)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 541990 and the business size standard is $7.0M. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. Period of Performance: Performance shall be for one base year with three (3) one year option periods. The NCI houses one of the largest and most productive HIV and retrovirus research programs in the world. At present, there is no organizational mechanism to coordinate the efforts of the many groups within the program, despite their focus on many common problems. The purpose of this procurement is to: (1) continue program augmentation and support for the HIV-DRP of the National Cancer Institute; (2) provide for continued professional services, including studies and analysis; and (3) provide technical support for HIV-DRP activities or other new projects. Specifically, the contractor/individual shall be expected to provide program development, building on past successes. The work to be performed covers a large variety of tasks, including: 1. Reviewing and making recommendations regarding design and interpretation of experiments covering the entire range of HIV studies (from basic to translational to clinical to prevention studies) performed by DRP personnel. Because some of the research done in HIV-DRP involves non-HIV retroviruses, a broad knowledge of retrovirology is essential. 2. Review and provide written in depth analysis of scientific manuscripts prepared by Principal Investigators (PIs) in the program. 3. Meet with DRP PIs to discuss research results and ongoing experiments. As an expert in the field, attend lectures/presentations by junior staff and provide critique to include suggestions for future scientific presentations. 4. Review written patient protocols to determine feasibility of patients, drugs, conditions, budgets, how many beds needed, and timeframe of study. Review analyses from different patients, drug reactions/interactions, on study continuance, changes, etc. 5. Reviewing and making recommendations regarding the organization and staffing of the DRP and CCR AIDS research Programs. 6. Provide services in the organization of scientific conferences relating to HIV and AIDS. 7. Researching and relaying the latest scientific and technological advances applicable to the HIV and AIDS research, and making recommendations regarding their application to the research goals of the DRP and CCR. 8. Reviewing and making recommendations regarding management of the DRP and COE (Center of Excellence) AIDS research budgets. 9. Representing the DRP to the scientific community: provide recommendations and guidance on developing the agenda for the annual DRP Symposium on Antiviral Drug Resistance, as well as the annual HIV Think Tank meeting; represent the HIV-DRP at scientific meetings devoted to HIV, AIDS, and antiviral drug resistance. Attend four scientific meetings during the contract period to keep abreast of scientific discoveries. 10. Participate in onsite meetings with CCR management as well as the HIV and Cancer Virology Center of Excellence leadership to provide recommendations concerning the overall research direction of the HIV-DRP and the associated cost impact on the fiscal year budget. 11. The contractor shall typically be at the NCI Frederick two days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) during the contract period. Contractor Requirements: These tasks can only be accomplished successfully by contractor personnel who have research training and experience necessary to perform the duties specified and meeting the following requirements: 1. The contractor shall be involved in the area of HIV and AIDS research conducted in a laboratory setting, and experienced in management and strategic planning necessary to the operation of an internationally recognized HIV/AIDS research program. 2. A broad, up-to-date, and sophisticated understanding of all aspects of research in HIV/AIDS and who have the deep understanding of research that comes from a long and successful career in research in many facets of HIV and retrovirus research with an expertise that extends from basic biochemistry and virology to patient-based studies and the interpretation of clinical data. 3. To be able to provide relevant recommendations and guidance to the DRP and the CCR the contractor needs to have experience in the direction and management of large research programs, including recruitment of PIs and other personnel, development of their research programs and careers, analysis and development of operating budgets, development of research goals and creation and implementation of strategic plans to achieve these goals. 4. Because the DRP sponsors different types of meetings the contractor needs experience in the organization of major international scientific meetings. 5. To help judge the success of the individual research programs in the DRP, and the overall progress made by the program, the contractor needs experience in oversight and review of scientific programs in the NCI and elsewhere. 6. Because the contactor will represent the DRP to the international AIDS research community, he/she needs sufficient international recognition and respect in the HIV/AIDS field to be able to communicate effectively with senior leaders within the NIH and elsewhere regarding collaboration, participation in scientific meetings, requests for advice, and the like. 7. At least 20 years of postdoctoral experience and currently holding a senior position, equivalent to full Professor or Senior Scientist; extensive knowledge in the fields of retroviruses, HIV, and AIDS, as evidenced by more than 50 publications in these areas in peer-reviewed journals, as well awards and honors, and invitations to address national and international audiences. 8. The contractor personnel shall be familiar with internationally recognized AIDS research programs and have knowledge of the HIV/AIDS research activities within the National Cancer Institute and the Center for Cancer Research, NCI. 9. The contractor personnel shall have experience in the development, leadership, and management of major AIDS research programs. 10. The contractor personnel shall be a member of the National Academy of Sciences or other such organization and be highly respected in the field. 11. Familiar with the research program, policies and initiatives of the NCI, a thorough knowledge of federal reporting policies, requirements and regulations as well as a thorough knowledge and understanding of data collection and analysis. 12. The contractor shall be able to provide a single individual for the project as to maintain continuity. Tufts University can provide extensive and unique experience in the areas of AIDS research and in the organization and function of the NCI AIDS Program. They have an active world-class program in AIDS/HIV including many researchers with strong international reputations. Importantly, from 1997 to 2005, Tufts provided contractual services, in the form of an interagency personnel agreement, to support Dr. John Coffin to assist in establishing and to lead the HIV Drug Resistance Program of the Center for Cancer Research, NCI. They also have successful experience building world-class AIDS research program within their institution, leading to publish of over 150 publications in retrovirus and HIV research. Tufts was recently received a Merit Award for their retrovirus research program as one of the most outstanding NCI-supported research programs in the country. Therefore, Tufts clearly has a unique experience and capability to provide the required services - both management and research support. No other source is known that combines both the knowledge and experience necessary capable of providing support and guidance on the scientific and administrative issues necessary to the management and operation of a world-class HIV/AIDS program and the thorough knowledge of the HIV/AIDS Programs and research underway at the CCR, NCI. In addition, Tufts has been the contactor since February 2006 and has been providing recommendations for consideration by NCI scientific leadership for the future direction of HIV/AIDS Research within NCI. The continuity and momentum of ongoing planning and implementation for program activities would be negatively impacted if a new contractor was selected at this point in time. In addition a Sources Sought Notice was issued, SS-NCI-90001-MM, and no other qualified small businesses capable of providing the requested services were found. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI contracting office on or before 11:00 AM EST on March 23, 2008. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Melissa Marino, Contract Specialist at marinome@mail.nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract 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. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-90071-MM on all correspondences.
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