Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

This Small Business Sources Sought Notice (SBSS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Insti... This Small Business Sources Sought Notice (SBSS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified small business concerns including 8(a), HUBZone or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business concerns that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract based on responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code should not submit a response to this notice. This requirement is assigned NAICS code 541690 with a size standard of $16.5 million is being considered. NCI may issue a request for quotation (RFQ) because of this Sources Sought Notice. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise because of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NCI’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. 1.0 BACKGROUND The Biophysical Spectroscopy Section of the Radiation Biology Branch (RBB) within the Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) is developing methods to profile tumors on a physiological basis by probing the tumor microenvironment. Once the response of the tumor microenvironment to treatment is understood, this may allow for specialize treatments for each patient. In vivo time-domain Electron Paramagnetic Resonance imaging (EPRI) methods using narrow-line non-toxic spin probes based on the trityls (triarylmethyl radical) can perform quantitative three-dimensional in vivo oxygen mapping of animal models of different tumor types. RBB has developed a unique and superior oximetric methodology for Fourier Transformation (FT)-EPR imaging and has recently implemented the data acquisition by rapid scan methods and data processing techniques to make the measurement more efficient with new strategies. In a different approach to assess the tumor physiology, RBB is studying the metabolite distributions in the tumors in vivo using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). 2.0 OBJECTIVE RBB is seeking external scientific input to improve the ability to couple FT-EPRI with MRI to access oxygen levels and changes occurring in tissues of animals (mice) and ultimately for application for human use. RBB has a custom EPRI instrument and recently installed MRI systems used to image tumors after EPRI imaging. The use of algorithms is increasing RBB’s ability to rapidly access oxygen changes in both normal and tumor tissue to determine how various drugs and radiation alter this important parameter for treatment of tumors. As blood flow is an important variable in oxygen delivery to tissue, having the ability to measure blood flow in tissue over short time periods is important. RBB requires scientific expertise in the use of MRI and FT-EPRI equipment, as well as imagine and data acquisition techniques to enable RBB to achieve its goals. 3.0 SCOPE In support of RBB’s EPRI and MRI projects, the Contractor shall provide scientific input on programming and data capture/acquisition for use on RBB’s FT-EPRI and MRI equipment. The Contractor shall assist NCI in improving data/image capture capabilities, reporting effects of each RBB system, and determining best approaches for ongoing research efforts. 4.0 PURCHASE ORDER REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall: TASK 4.1 Participate in email exchanges and weekly video conference calls with the Principal Investigator to provide scientific input related to analytic approaches for the ongoing EPRI and MRI projects. Participate in writing and editing all scientific work which may come about because of projects. Perform data analysis at the direction of the Principal Investigator. TASK 4.2 Assist the Principal Investigator with the algorithmic approaches and implementation of the following: data acquisition and image formation; tumor perfusion parameters by Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI; blood vessel density assessment by MRI at 1T and 3T magnetic fields using the contrast agent Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIO); Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) assessment by MRI; and MRI chemical shift image analysis to be implemented on a both Philips and Bruker MRI systems. TASK 4.3 Provide ongoing input into topics such as study design, analytic methods, tools, and techniques, data analysis and interpretation. Assist Principal investigator in adapting algorithms for RBB FT-EPRI equipment. Help determine what changes need to be implemented so that algorithms properly collected and analyze MRI and FT-EPRI data. 4.4 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS The Contractor shall have experience in the following: (1) FT-EPR imaging: data acquisition by phase and frequency encoding techniques; optimization of scan speed and signal to noise, implementation of novel pulse schemes; and expert knowledge in image processing algorithms; waveform generator based pulsed EPR imaging; slice selective imaging; and the imaging by multi-element resonant structures. Detailed knowledge of the Overhauser effect and its application to biological problems. (2) Implementation of functional MRI techniques to determine tumor microenvironment, blood vessel density, extracellular blood volume and transfer rate constants, apparent diffusion coefficient, and chemical shift imaging to map the metabolite dynamics. (3) Development of algorithms for optimization of data acquisition in FT-EPRI, including the ability to augment software features for operation and processing of results. (4) Ability to work with different MRI systems (Philips 3T clinical multinuclear, Bruker 1 T & Bruker 3 T both multinuclear, Bruker 9.4 T multinuclear). Must be familiar with current software and hardware for each system. 5.0 TYPE OF ORDER This is a firm fixed price purchase order for severable services. The services acquired under this purchase order are severable services. Funds are only available for use for the line item to which they are obligated. Unused funds from one period (line item) may not roll over for use in other periods. 6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The anticipated period of performance shall be for one (1) 12-month base period plus three (3), 12-month option periods as follows: Base Period: August 15, 2021 – August 14, 2022 Option Period 1: August 15, 2022 – August 14, 2023 Option Period 2: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024 Option Period 3: August 15, 2024 – August 14, 2025 7.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE All work shall be performed at the Contractor’s facility and on-site at the following location: Radiation Biology Branch 10 Center Drive Building 10, Room B3B69 Bethesda, MD 20892 The NCI Technical Point of Contact estimates that the Contractor will be on-site four (4) days per week for thirty (30) hours per week. The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) and its employees shall comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors; OMB M-05-24; FIPS 201, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors; HHS HSPD-12 policy; and Executive Order 13467, Part 1 §1.2. (For additional information, see HSPD-12 policy at: https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-presidential-directive-12) 8.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA Pursuant to FAR clause 52.212-4, all work described in the SOW to be delivered under this contract is subject to final inspection and acceptance by an authorized representative of the Government. The authorized representative of the Government is the NCI Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), who is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all services, materials, or supplies to be provided by the Contractor. Regardless of format, all digital content or communications materials produced as a deliverable under this contract, shall conform to applicable Section 508 Standards to allow Federal employees and members of the public with disabilities to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by Federal employees or by members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities. Remediation of any materials that do not comply with the applicable Section 508 requirements as set forth below, shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. HHS guidance regarding accessibility of documents can be found at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/making-files-accessible/create-accessible-pdfs/index.html. Federal government-wide guidance regarding accessibility of documents can be found at https://www.section508.gov/, including the documents describing the preferred method of authoring and testing documents produced in Microsoft Word 2013 or later, Microsoft Excel, and files formatted as PDF. Federal Government-wide guidance regarding accessibility of documents can be found at: https://www.section508.gov/best-practices, including the documents describing the preferred method of authoring and testing documents produced in Microsoft Word 2013 or later, Microsoft Excel, and files formatted as PDF. 9.0 REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE Deliverable #1 – Task 4.1: Ongoing weekly updates via email and/or video conference with the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). Deliverable #2 – Tasks 4.2 and 4.3: Ongoing Written advice and input via Microsoft Word, PDF, and/or email to the TPOC. Deliverable #3: Monthly Report summarizing efforts made and status of ongoing assignments via Microsoft Word or PDF to the TPOC. First report is due seven (7) days after the first full calendar month of the Purchase Order. Thereafter, reports are due on or before seven (7) calendar days following each reporting period. 10.0 RESPONSE DELIVERY POINT Capability statements shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Adam Hernandez, at adam.hernandez@nih.gov no later than 11:00 A.M. EST on Friday, June 18, 2021 (06/18/2021). All information furnished must be in writing and must contain enough detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the unique specifications described herein. Please reference number 75N91021Q00119 on all correspondence. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s capability. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a RFQ may be published. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation(s).