Inactive 8(a) Set-Aside (FAR 19.8)

Title: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Support Services Requiring Activity Name: U.S. Army ... Title: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Support Services Requiring Activity Name: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) - Plans, Programs, Analysis and Evaluation (PPA&E) 1.0 Scope The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) is the Army's medical materiel developer, with responsibility for medical research, development, and acquisition. The USAMRDC's expertise in these critical areas helps establish and maintain the capabilities the Army needs remain ready and lethal on the battlefield. Ensuring our armed forces remain in optimal health and are equipped to protect themselves from disease and injury, particularly on the battlefield, is the job of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. The Command is headquartered at Fort Detrick, MD, with 8 subordinate commands located throughout the world. Additional information about USAMRDC can be found at: https://mrdc.health.mil/. PPA&E is a Headquarters Directorate that reaches across the entire Command. PPA&E is responsible for developing and presenting the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) and budget in support of our core Army and Defense Health Program (DHP) funding. These efforts include the planning and integration for Command-wide Planning, Programming, and Budgeting (PPB) activities in support of the Army POM Executive for Medical RDT&E. PPA&E is also responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) SBIR/STTR Programs. The SBIR Program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. STTR is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena. Central to the program is expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include the joint venture opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. The contractors working in PPA&E under this contract assist in the planning and managing of activities and programs in the functional areas listed below. Detailed tasks associated with these functions are described in section 2.0. Provide program coordination for all aspects of the USAMRDC's SBIR/STTR Programs for the Director of PPA&E and SBIR Project Manager. Provide program coordination of SBIR/STTR topic submissions and all internal/external topic reviews. Provide program coordination for the receipt, evaluation, due diligence review, selection, proposal feedback, and award of SBIR/STTR proposals. Provide Work Breakdown Structures (WBSs) and Purchase Requisitions (PRs), to include PR modifications, for DHA SBIR/STTR Programs via General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS). Provide SBIR/STTR financial reporting via internal and external mechanisms. Provide official responses to SBIR/STTR related taskers and request for information. Provide periodic SBIR/STTR briefings and information papers. Objectives 1.0.2.1 Provide exceptional SBIR/STTR guidance to all personnel (internal and external) regarding the USAMRDC’s SBIR/STTR Programs. 1.0.2.2 Provide program coordination during SBIR/STTR call for topics, topic submissions, proposal receipt, proposal evaluations, due diligence reviews, selections, proposal feedback, and contract award cycles. 1.0.2.3 Provide detailed SBIR/STTR financial tracking via GFEBS. 1.0.2.4 Provide timely and accurate responses to internal and external taskers and requests for information. 1.0.2.5 The contractors working in the SBIR/STTR Office will participate in regular staff meetings, topic review meetings, and other proceedings as necessary. Current Environment The work environment for PPA&E is 100% telework with the possibility of 10-15 in-person meetings throughout the year, within driving distance of Fort Detrick, MD. The PPA&E Office conducts in-person team meetings, and has a strong sense of collaboration which includes: - Consulting with small businesses, scientists, and other Government officials that will result in many phone calls, emails, and other communication modalities. - Travel to SBIR/STTR conferences and outreach events within the U.S. may be required on occasion. - Contractor employees receiving a Common Access Card (CAC) that will give them access to Government protected sites and files. - Contractor employees receiving and using their DoD issued e-mail address for PPA&E business. - Contractor employees signing a non-disclosure statement as they will have access to acquisition sensitive information as they work with senior leaders and scientist as well as attend senior level meetings. Contractors are expected to operate independently. Their services are an integral part of a cohesive team, requiring a constant flow of communications. 1.1.3 PPA&E has a significant number of deadlines to which its personnel respond. Some of these deadlines may require short turnaround times of a few hours or couple of days. The SBIR/STTR Office receives numerous taskers each year from many sources. Many of these taskers require significant research, in-depth knowledge of the SBIR/STTR Programs, and a good understanding of the Command. The goal is to provide an exceptional response, always within the time allowed. 1.2 Non-Personal Services This award identifies services that are strictly non-personal in nature. 1.3 Severable / Non-Severable Services This award identifies services that are severable in nature. 1.4 Inherently Governmental Functions This requirement has been reviewed and contains no services that are inherently governmental functions. 1.5 Acquisition Functions Closely Associated with Inherently Governmental Functions This requirement has been reviewed and contains no services that are closely associated inherently governmental. 1.6 Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Category USAMRDC has categorized all its non-purchased care requirements into three broad categories, as defined below, for purposes of identifying, avoiding, or mitigating against OCIs in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5. These categories are defined as follows: -Category 1: USAMRDC Internal Support: Services which, by their very nature, give the Contractor access to potential requirements and extensive data about Category 2 and Category 3 contractors. -Category 2: Program Management Support: Services which assist USAMRDC in planning and managing its activities and programs. This includes, for example: requirements analysis, acquisition support, budget planning and management, business process reengineering, program planning and execution support, and independent technical management support. -Category 3: Product Support. Services or end items required to meet the mission requirements of USAMRDC’s non-purchased care activities and programs. This includes, for example: concept exploration and development; system design; system development and integration; Commercial Off-The- Shelf (COTS) procurement and integration; internal development testing; deployment; installation; operations; and maintenance. Contractor participation in more than one of these areas may give rise to an unfair competitive advantage resulting from access to advance acquisition planning, source selection sensitive or proprietary information. Furthermore, Contractor participation in more than one area may give rise to a real or apparent loss of Contractor impartiality and objectivity where its advisory or planning assistance in one area potentially affects its present or future participation in another area. The purpose of this categorization is to accomplish the following three objectives: (1) to inform prospective Offerors that USAMRDC presumes that award of a contract or order in the subject category will give rise to real or apparent OCIs with respect to requirements in the other two categories; (2) to assist current Contractors and prospective Offerors in developing their own business strategies regarding participation in USAMRDC requirements and in identifying and, where possible, avoiding or mitigating against OCIs; and (3) to ensure that all current Contractors and prospective Offerors are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to compete for all USAMRDC requirements consistent with the restrictions required under FAR Subpart 9.5 and sound business practices. For purposes of identifying, avoiding and / or mitigating against OCIs, USAMRDC will examine all its non- purchased care requirements and acquisitions regardless of the cognizant contracting activity or the type of contract vehicle used. Each USAMRDC non-purchased care solicitation will therefore be designated as falling within one of the three above defined categories. The work called for under this contract / order has been determined by USAMRDC to fall within the following non-purchased care OCI category: Category 1: USAMRDC Internal Support 2.0 TASKS: PPA&E Office - The contractor shall provide the tasks described below. 2.0.1 Task 1: SBIR/STTR Operations Management. This includes the following work: 2.0.1.1 Oversee daily operations of the MRDC SBIR/STTR Programs and ensure internal/external milestones and taskers are successfully met. 2.0.1.2 Provide expert advice to small businesses and Government stakeholders on SBIR/STTR topics including but not limited to: topic submissions; proposal submissions; proposal evaluations; due diligence reviews; proposal feedback; and contract awards. 2.0.1.3 Prepare and submit DHA SBIR/STTR Quarterly and Annual Reports to the Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Program Office. 2.0.1.4 Provide Work Breakdown Structures (WBSs) and Purchase Requisitions (PRs), to include PR modifications, for DHA SBIR/STTR Programs via General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS). 2.0.1.5 Monitor DHA SBIR/STTR budgets to ensure funds are obligated in a timely manner. 2.0.1.6 Prepare annual DHA SBIR/STTR Review and Analysis briefing slides. 2.0.1.7 Prepare DHA SBIR/STTR instructions for DoD SBIR/STTR Broad Agency Announcements. 2.0.1.8 Present SBIR/STTR briefings to internal/external personnel as requested. 2.0.1.9 Assist Government Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) with questions regarding Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) applications such as Wide Area WorkFlow and Joint Appointment Module (JAM). 2.0.1.10 Prepare DHA SBIR/STTR Phase II submission schedules and instructions. 2.0.1.11 Prepare responses to internal and external taskers and requests for information. 2.0.2 Task 2: SBIR/STTR Program Analysis. This task entails assisting with the responsibilities listed above as well as providing the services below. 2.0.2.1 Provide expert advice to small businesses and Government stakeholders on the DHA SBIR/STTR Programs including but not limited to: topic submissions; proposal submissions; proposal evaluations; due diligence reviews; proposal feedback; and contract awards. 2.0.2.2 Coordinate all aspects of the DHA SBIR/STTR topic process including but not limited to: call for topic memos/taskers; topic submissions, topic revisions; Topic Review Meetings; and submission of approved topics. 2.0.2.3 Coordinate all aspects of the DHA SBIR/STTR proposal evaluation process including but not limited to: establish Technical Evaluation Teams; prepare evaluation website; monitor evaluations to ensure milestones are successfully met; due diligence reviews; prepare and send select/non-select notifications; and proposal feedback. 2.0.2.4 Work closely with the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) to ensure required selection documentation is received in a timely manner. 2.0.2.5 Provide WBSs and PRs, to include PR modifications, for DHA SBIR/STTR Programs via GFEBS. 2.0.2.6 Update SBIR/STTR portion of the PPA&E website. 2.0.2.7 Assist in preparing responses to internal and external taskers and requests for information. 2.0.3 Task 3: SBIR/STTR Senior Transition Analysis Support. This includes the following work: 2.0.3.1 Mentor and support small business concerns and Government stakeholders engaged within the of DHA Phase I and Phase II SBIR/STTR project portfolios (and adopted/follow-on efforts) to increase Phase III and transition and commercialization by sending introductions to Phase I and II small business concerns upon award to engage them in scheduling Phase III planning and quad chart refinement meetings. 2.0.3.2 Attend kickoff meetings upon invitation to gain in-depth project knowledge, and to support CORs and small business concerns with SBIR and STTR-specific investment and acquisition pathway opportunities. 2.0.3.3 Work with small businesses, CORs, and stakeholders to iteratively manage Phase II Enhancement matched funding package requests when small business concerns with Active Phase II contracts receive qualified matching funding. 2.0.3.4 Maintain awareness of the relative market or transition pathway success of active Phase II projects, culminating in an annual Phase II midpoint review checkpoint to ensure portfolio awareness of especially promising technologies. 2.0.3.5 Compile and update all project data and information on a real-time basis, utilizing the DHA SBIR-STTR Portal, the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal, and shared project management documents. Analyze qualitative and quantitative portfolio attributes, including quad charts and stakeholder feedback, to result in leadership investment decision support. 2.0.3.6 Analyze and compile innovation highlight examples for DHA Review and Analysis meetings, DHA stakeholders, and potential external program publication. 2.0.3.7 Assist the DHA SBIR/STTR PM and supported small business concerns regarding the insertion of SBIR/STTR-derived technologies into DoD Programs of Record when required. Serve as a Phase III Point of Contact for MRDC Contracting Officers and become highly proficient in data rights markings and procedures published in the Phase III section of the Small Business Administration's SBIR/STTR Policy Directive. As a result of this advocacy, both the small business concern and transition customer should gain clarity in SBIR/STTR funding pathways, risks, rights in technical data, and science and technology program protection practices. 2.0.3.8 Provide internal team reviews of draft topic Phase III sections to promote the commercial viability of DHA SBIR/STTR topics published within the DoD SBIR/STTR Broad Agency Announcement.