Inactive

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE 75N95020Q00083 The National Institute on Aging is conducting market research to determine the existence of interested sources capable of providing Reference Clinical laboratory s... SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE 75N95020Q00083 The National Institute on Aging is conducting market research to determine the existence of interested sources capable of providing Reference Clinical laboratory services for the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources? (2) whether they are small businesses? HUBZone small businesses? service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses? 8(a) small businesses? veteran-owned small businesses? woman-owned small businesses? or small-disadvantaged business? and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. 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 NAICS code may still submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. BACKGROUND The Intramural Research Program (IRP) of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) provides a stimulating setting for a comprehensive effort to understand aging through multidisciplinary investigator-initiated research. The Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences (LEPS), one of NIA IRP’s ten laboratories, plans, conducts, and directs epidemiology, demography, and biometry programs relevant to the mission of the NIA; collects and analyzes data regarding the distribution of the aged by such categories as sex, race, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics and serves as a focal point for these data; and plans, initiates, coordinates, and analyzes national and international epidemiologic longitudinal studies and studies of special populations. Within LEPS, the Health Disparities Research Section (HDRS) conducts interdisciplinary clinical and basic science research focused on examining the underlying cause of the disproportionate incidence, morbidity and mortality of age-related disease among minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) Americans. The approach provides a two-way bridge between basic science laboratory studies and clinical research that spans from the targeted epidemiologic population to the bench. Dissecting the interaction of race, socioeconomic status, culture, behavior, environmental exposure, biologic vulnerabilities, genetics, social environment, health care access, and quality of health care provides insight into how these interactions result in disproportionate rates of age-related disease and disability. The ultimate goal of this approach is to transform scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical applications to reduce incidence, morbidity, and mortality of age-associated diseases and health disparities. This is accomplished by the development and implementation of a clinical component (The Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study) and a basic science laboratory component that are interdependent and pursuing related hypotheses. HANDLS investigators conduct their research study on NIA’s mobile Medical Research Vehicles (MRVs) located throughout Baltimore City, MD. Participant samples and specimens are collected routinely during examinations performed daily. Additionally, and to avoid informative censoring (non-random missing data), NIA has also developed the HANDLS Home Visit Program (HHVP). This protocol is designed to allow participants who are home bound or disabled to continue to participate in the HANDLS study as scheduled. Providing an alternative to the examination visit on the MRVs allows NIA to continue to collect valuable data about the influences of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on the development of age-related health disparities and disability among socioeconomically diverse African Americans and whites in Baltimore. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Reference Clinical lab testing and assay services are required for the participant visits at the MRVs as well as the HHVP. These assays are one basis for establishing participants’ health records. The data are used by investigators to assess change over time. These results are medico-legal documentation. They are retained in participants’ medical charts and participants are provided copies for their records and, if they choose, for their physicians’ records. The Contractor shall be responsible for performing pre-analytic processing, analysis, and result interpretation for clinical and anatomical pathology specimens as requested by the NIA HANDLS physicians. Services shall include the transportation of clinical laboratory specimens to the contractor’s laboratory(ies) (including providing the shipping/pickup containers), the performance of analytical testing as defined by the Contractor’s reference test manual, the reporting of analytical test results and consultative services as required to assimilate the full scope of its laboratory operations to the ordering facility. A list of required clinical and research tests is attached to this Sources Sought Notice. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The anticipated performance is for one 12-month base period of performance from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021with three additional 12-month option periods. OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS The Government is expected to use procedures in FAR PART 12 & 13. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 621511 with a size standard of $35 million. CAPABILITY STATEMENT/INFORMATION SOUGHT All responsible sources may identify their interest and provide capability statements in response to this notice. Respondents to this notice must provide, as part of their response, a capability statement to include the following: (1) information regarding the respondents' (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training related to the scope of this requirement? (b) current inhouse capability and capacity to perform the work? (c) prior completed projects of similar nature? (d) corporate experience and management capability? and, (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information? (2) respondents' DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.), pursuant to the applicable NAICS code? and, (3) any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing NIA’s acquisition requirement. Respondents should provide responses accordingly: (1) submit information electronically by email. No mail, telephone or facsimile responses will be accepted? (2) format capability statements using Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF including attachments, resumes, charts, etc. Use single space, 12 font minimum and 8.5 x 11 size paper? (3) organize material in such a manner that clearly identifies and addresses capability requirements and provide an executive summary? (4) capability statement should not exceed ten (10) single sided pages including references? (5) RESPONSES SHOULD BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 10:00 AM EASTERN TIME ON April 23, 2020? (6) include respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and email addresses? and (7) send responses to this notice via email to renee.dougherty@nih.gov. “Disclaimer and Important Notes: 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 qualifications to perform the work. 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 presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Contract Opportunities (beta.SAM.gov). However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”