Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This an... (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in 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. (ii) The solicitation number is 75N95024Q00297-RFQ, and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This acquisition is for a commercial service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5— Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services and is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2024-05, with effective date of May 22, 2024. (iv) The associated NAICS code is 621511 Medical Laboratories (Genetic testing laboratories), and the small business size standard is $41.5 million. This requirement is set-aside to small business concerns. (v) This requirement is to procure whole genome sequencing of disease samples and controls necessary for Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias to be successful in completing its research project’s aims. It is anticipated that sequencing services will include a total of 6,000 human samples. (See attached statement of work). Attachment # 1 (vi) The contractor shall target 30x samples; max 100Gb will be generated in case 30X coverage unmet from sample nature. Prior to the sequencing runs, libraries will need to be constructed using Illumina’s TruSeq DNA PCR-Free Library preparation kit (350bp). Additional requirements: 1) Sequencing shall be performed using the latest Illumina NovaSeq6000 S4 (2x150bp) platform and other related instrumentation and software with 150bp paired-end sequencing method; 2) Contractor shall provide FASTQ raw data to Google Cloud server; 3) Data shall be provided 10 weeks after samples pass initial quality control (QC); 4) QC processes must be completed by quantification with picogreen method using Victor X2 fluorometry, 5) qualification with Agilent genomic DNA screentape; and, 6) Samples with amount >1.0ug and DIN > 7.0 shall pass sample QC and move forward to library prep process. (See attached statement of work). (vii) The Government anticipates award of a firm fixed-price purchase order for this acquisition, and the anticipated period of performance is August 20, 2024 - August 19, 2025 (QTY of samples = 300) for the base period. Additional Optional Periods, as described below, are being sought. Option Period One: September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025 (QTY of samples = 4795) Option Period Two: September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026 (QTY of samples = 4795) Option Period Three: September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027 (QTY of samples = 4795) Option Period Four: September 1, 2027 - August 31, 2028 (QTY of samples = 4795) Place of Performance: Inspection and acceptance will be performed at: National Institute of Health National Institute on Aging 9000 Rockville Pike, Building T44 Bethesda, MD 20892 (viii) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html (End of provision) The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018). FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020). FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sept 2023). FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024). FAR 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options (July 1990). The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html (End of clause) The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018). FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020). FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021). FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023). FAR clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General (May 2014). HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015). The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are attached in full text. Offerors MUST complete the provisions at 52.204-24, 52.204-26, FAR 52.209-5, and 52.222-52 submit completed copies as separate documents with their proposal. FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021). Attachment # 2 FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020). Attachment # 3 FAR 52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Aug 2020). Attachment # 4 FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) Attachment # 5 FAR 52.222-52 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Certification (May 2014). Attachment # 6 The following invoice instruction is included and will be incorporated in the final award: NIH Invoicing Instructions with IPP (Mar 2023). Attachment # 7 (ix) The Government will evaluate quotations or offers in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 and award a purchase order from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes: (a) technical capability; (b) price, and (c) past performance [see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)]. Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). A written notice of award of or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. (x) Offerors must include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024), with its offer. If the offeror has completed FAR clause 52.212-3 at www.sam.gov, then the offeror does not need to provide a completed copy with its offer. (xi) Additional requirements are applicable to this acquisition. Attachment # 8 (xii) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. (xiii) Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount. The Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All quotations must be received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time on July 12, 2024 (revised), and reference Solicitation Number 75N95024Q00297. Responses must be submitted via email to Iris Merscher, Contract Specialist, at iris.merscher@nih.gov.