Inactive

This is a combined Sources Sought (SSN) and Small Businesses Sources Sought notice (SBSSN). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is t... This is a combined Sources Sought (SSN) and Small Businesses Sources Sought notice (SBSSN). 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 business sources? (2) whether they are small business? HUBZone small businesses? servicedisabled, veteranowned small businesses, 8(a) small businesses? veteranowned small businesses? womenowned 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. Your response to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a setaside is possible. The NAICS code for this project is 518210. The small business size standard is $32.5M Background: The Intramural Research Program (IRP) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consists of over 1,200 Principal Investigators and more than 4,000 Postdoctoral Fellows conducting basic, translational, and clinical research. The scientific staff is part of over 20 Institutes and Centers (I/C), spread over multiple buildings and several NIH campus locations. A majority of the I/Cs have Core facilities that are supported by Staff Scientists and Clinicians. These Core Labs are available as shared resources for investigators affiliated with the I/C, but have limited visibility and availability for investigators from other I/Cs. The IRP would like to develop a dedicated, searchable, webbased marketplace for research resources and services available through IRP's Core Facilities and through a majority of external research vendors, including academic Core Labs. The platform should enable IRP investigators to query capabilities of multiple IRP Core Labs and external vendors through a secure communication channel to enable the best source selection in terms of technology, price and availability. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of NIH. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this support is to develop a webbased software platform to enable the 27 Institutes and Centers (I/C) of NIH Intramural Research Program to enhance both the visibility and sharing of research resources, technologies and expertise available through >100 centralized Core Labs. The platform should also include research services available through a majority of external vendors. The ability to simultaneously query capabilities of internal and external vendors will allow IRP investigators to make sidebyside comparisons for the best source selection. Direct comparisons with external vendors will also enable IRP Administrators and Core Labs to focus on providing new and emerging technologies rather than services available at a comparable or lower cost through external vendors. The appropriate annotation of external vendors for certifications, accreditations and existing NIH contract or procurement vehicles, can also increase compliance with NIH and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and streamline the procurement process for IRP investigators at the same time enabling the IRP to negotiate better pricing. NIH is seeking capability statements from all eligible businesses concerns in performing the tasks/duties herein. Based on the responses received from this notice, the proposed project may be solicited as a Small Business SetAside. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NIH shall arise as a result of a response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice or the NIH's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. As part of the long-term strategic planning for the IRP, the Advisory Committee to the NIH Director (ACD) in 2014 recommended enhanced scientific interactions between I/Cs, including sharing of Core Labs and other shared research resources across all IRP I/Cs. To comply with the NIH ACD's recommendation, the IRP needs a platform that enhances both the visibility and sharing of research resources, technologies and expertise available through over 170 centralized Core Labs. The platform should also include research services available through a majority of external vendors. The ability to simultaneously query capabilities of internal and external vendors will allow IRP investigators to make side-by-side comparisons for the best source selection. Direct comparisons with external vendors will also enable IRP Administrators and Core Labs to focus on providing new and emerging technologies rather than services available at a comparable or lower cost through external vendors. The appropriate annotation of external vendors for certifications, accreditations and existing NIH contract or procurement vehicles, can also increase compliance with NIH and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and streamline the procurement process for IRP investigators, at the same time enabling the IRP to negotiate better pricing. SCOPE Acquire access to a web-based software platform that constitutes a Research Resources Marketplace (“RRM”) accessible to all NIH IRP researchers. RRM shall include a searchable listing of scientific tools and research services available through IRP Core Labs and external vendors. Software platform shall enable IRP users to communicate with multiple internal and external vendors simultaneously to enable source selection and directly and seamlessly send estimates from pre-market research to internal NIH procurement systems. Software platform shall also include a parallel web-interface that enables IRP Core managers to easily manage and update their Lab’s content and respond to users’ requests. The vendor shall provide an IRP RRM manager to coordinate IRP Core Lab’s content development, content updates and trainings for the IRP users and Core Managers. Contractor shall also provide trained Full-Time Employees (FTEs) as sourcing specialists to review user requests and ensure Core Labs and vendors provide timely responses to user requests. OBJECTIVES Acquire access to a web-based software platform that constitutes an RRM that shall be accessible only to NIH IRP researchers. The RRM shall include a comprehensive listing of scientific tools and research services relevant for the research of basic, translational and clinical biomedical scientists spread across broad disciplines. Capabilities of IRP Core Labs and a majority (>80%) of external vendors (Commercial Research Organizations and Academic Core Labs) shall be tied to the pertinent research services or technologies they provide, and shall be easily searchable using keywords for service categories or by name. Content for both research services and listings of external vendors shall be kept current to include the most innovative technologies and services and to ensure new providers are continuously added. Software platform shall enable users to communicate with multiple internal and external vendors simultaneously, including exchange of data files and price quotes. The software shall also include a parallel web-interface that enable IRP Core managers to manage their content, provide updates and respond to user requests with cost estimates and technical capabilities. The vendor shall provide a Marketplace manager who will coordinate and perform content update for Core Labs, train Core Managers and I/C users on the platform, and coordinate marketing strategy for each participating I/C through the designated I/C Points of Contact (POC). The vendor shall also provide trained FTEs as part of a sourcing specialist team. The team will review user requests, help add qualified suppliers as requested, and ensure Core Labs and vendors provide timely responses to submitted requests. Once cost estimates and capability statements from external vendors are received, the system must allow a direct connectivity through an Application Progamming Interface (API) to NIH procurement systems. REQUIREMENTS TASKS Contractor shall provide access to a web-based software platform, as an enterprise-wide license, that constitutes a “Research Resources Marketplace” (RRM), to the participating I/Cs of the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP). Web-based “Research Resources Marketplace” (RRM) for the NIH IRP shall be fully functional and available for use by participating I/Cs of the IRP at the time of contract award. The participating I/Cs are based mainly in Maryland, with additional sites in Research Triangle, North Carolina, and Hamilton MT. Each participating I/C POC will be asked to confirm in writing to the COR, that content for their Core Labs has been loaded on the RRM and is searchable and accessible to users. In addition, the RRM will be tested by a group of power users, comprised of select scientists chosen from each participating I/Cs. The group will determine its functionality as a tool to conduct market research and/or to identify research resources. Upon successful completion of both tasks, the COR will indicate that the milestone has been met. RRM shall include at a minimum a listing of 2500 research service categories and scientific tools relevant for basic, translational and clinical biomedical research, within the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, DMPK and Clinical Research. This shall be included in initial delivery at the time of contract award. Capabilities of >150 NIH IRP Core Labs and >80% of external vendors, the latter including Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and Academic Core Labs, shall be associated with research service categories and technologies that are relevant to their lab’s capabilities, and shall be searchable using keywords relevant to the service or by name of the Cores/Vendors. This shall be included in initial delivery at the time of contract award. Capabilities of Collaborative Facilities, defined as Core Labs with unique technical expertise open to collaborations outside of the laboratories in which they reside, shall be included in the system. They shall also be associated with research service categories and technologies, searchable using keywords relevant to their lab capabilities. A database of shared equipment and scientific software shall be maintained and updated every six months. This catalog of resources shall be searchable using keywords relevant to the equipment type or software version. IRP Core Labs and vendors in the database shall be annotated for their affiliation (NIH I/C) and specific certifications and accreditation (CLIA, PHS, etc.) to help enhance compliance with NIH regulations. This shall be included in initial delivery at time of contract award. The database should also have the capability to annotate external vendors and services with information useful for sourcing of federal procurements (GSA, BPA, Small Business badging etc.). A keyword search function shall enable users to identify multiple internal and external vendors for specific research services. The list of vendors for each research service should be customizable by IRP administrators to ensure IRP Core labs and vendors with preferred status (e.g., small and minority owned-business or with existing NIH contract vehicles), are included in the default list. This shall be included at time of contract award. RRM shall include a secure communication channel that allows IRP researchers to query capabilities of multiple internal and external vendors simultaneously, discuss project details, exchange files and obtain detailed quotes to enable a side-by-side comparison. IRP researchers to maintain all communications with vendors within the marketplace through a request management system, and receive email notifications when the status of their request changes. This shall be included at the time of contract award. RRM shall include a directly linked web-interface that enables IRP Core Managers to manage and update information on their lab’s capabilities, and respond to IRP requestors. This shall be included at the time of contract award. RRM software shall allow IRP investigators to post Ratings and Reviews on Vendor’s performance for specific services, and these shall be visible ONLY to the rest of the NIH IRP. The Ratings/Reviews shall not be used by the RRM Contractor or research services vendor for any self-promotional purposes. Any ratings of 3 and below (on a total 5-star range, with 5 being the highest) shall be shared by the Contractor with the CRO/Academic Core Lab. Responses/clarifications received from the vendor will be posted on the RRM. RRM software shall have the capability to route user requests to designated NIH I/C-specific gatekeepers or approvers. If requested, I/C-specific gatekeepers will ensure that I/C-preferred internal and external sources are included in requests initiated by their users. The request routing workflow will be different across I/Cs and will need to be customizable for the needs of each I/C. Software platform shall have an Application Programming Interface (API) that can be used to link the Research Resources Marketplace to desired NIH I/C systems (internal NIH procurement systems, Core Services Accessioning Systems, etc.). Software platform shall meet all applicable HHS IT security and risk assessment requirements included in the pre-sol [GD([1] certification and attached clauses. Shall be included in initial delivery at time of contract award. Software platform shall allow designated I/Cs administrators to access usage statistics, including number of logins, browse history and communications, for the RRM on a weekly or monthly basis. The RRM will be used by up to twenty three (23) NIH Institutes and Centers (I/Cs) of the IRP through the duration of the contract, including option years. The platform shall be extendable to include users and Core labs of all I/Cs of the IRP. Contractor shall make the RRM a dedicated, “private” platform accessible only to NIH IRP-affiliated investigators using their NIH Single Sign On (SSO) credentials. Contractor shall update service categories of the RRM monthly during the award period to include the latest and most innovative research services and technologies available to biomedical researchers. New vendors and new capabilities of Core Labs shall be updated on a monthly basis, or as requested by the IRP. Contractor shall provide a trained Site Manager who will be the main Point of Contact for managing all aspects of customization, development and deployment of the RRM to the IRP. Site Manager shall have at a minimum a B.S. degree and should have at least 2-years of experience in providing project management support for a similar platform to an Academic, Commercial or Government organization. . Site Manager shall coordinate, and perform if needed, content update for participating IRP Core Labs. Site Manager will either coordinate training through a team, or directly train, if needed, IRP Core Managers and I/C users on using the Research Resources Marketplace. Site Manager will coordinate marketing and outreach strategy for each participating NIH I/C through their designated I/C Points of Contacts (POCs). Site Manager will be required to be onsite on the IRP Maryland campuses at least 3-days a month for the first six-months of the award to meet POCs within participating I/Cs and for outreach to I/C Core Lab Managers. Site Manager will host weekly web-meetings with IRP POC, to provide updates on RRM development, platform usage, serve as an interface between the Vendor’s software engineering team and the I/C POC. Site Manager will host RRM “User training sessions” and develop videos or tools that enable users to adopt the platform. Contractor will provide trained FTEs as part of a Sourcing Specialist Team. Sourcing specialist shall have at a minimum a M.S. or higher degree in the Biological Sciences and a minimum of 2-months experience supporting a similar RRM platform. Sourcing team will review IRP users’ requests to help add qualified suppliers (Cores and vendors) as needed and as requested by users. Sourcing Team will follow up with IRP Core labs and external vendors to ensure they provide timely responses to every IRP request submitted. Contractor shall perform, or get a qualified third party to perform, IT security testing of the software platform according to the requirements and at the frequency detailed in the attached Security plan. Results will be made available to the NIH IRP Contracting Officer Representative (COR). DELIVERABLES Deliverable, Description, Acceptance Criteria, Frequency, Delivered/Approved Web-based "Research Resources Marketplace" (RRM) for the NIH IRP, Software tool and vendor/core facility database to conduct market research and/or to identify research resources, Fully functional and available at time of award pursuant to testing by scientists from participating ICs. Participating IC POCs will confirm in writing to COR, Core Lab content has been loaded or updated on the RRM and is searchable and accessible to their scientists., Delivery at time of contract award. RRM must be refreshed no less than once per quarter, COR Service and Support (software engineer, supplier relations), Update service categories, Update all research technology, vendor, and service categories, as well as security testing, Monthly updates and testing, COR Site Manager (SM), Trained SM serving as Point of Contact for RRM management, SM shall coordinate and perform content updates, coordinate and perform training sessions for users and for Core Managers, status update meetings, develop and enact marketing and outreach strategies, Bi-weekly web meetings with IRP POCs, training sessions online and onsite as needed, with a minimum of 6 web-based trainings for IRP scientists in Maryland, North Carolina and Montana, and should be coordinated with the COR. Site Manager will be available for remote training of IRP scientist at least 2-days a month to meet virtually or in person with POCs within participating ICs and for outreach to IC Core Lab Managers, COR Sourcing Specialists, Support team trained on RRM to manage requests and add qualified vendors, Sourcing Team will review user requests, follow up on IRP and vendor requests and queries within two business days from date of request submission., Available as needed during business hours once requests are submitted, COR Monthly Platform Usage Reports, Provide usage reports to the IRP showing monthly activity by each IC for user login, search and by communication/requests, Platform usage reports should be compiled for each IC and should include the number of monthly active users, number of new users and number of requests sent and responses received, including the average time for receiving vendor responses for each request., Monthly reports based on usage by each IC should be sent to the COR by the 10th of each month, COR. SCHEDULE The period of performance may be stated using actual dates, days after contract award, or using some other method. If different periods of performance will apply to different tasks, the tasks and related periods of performance should be clearly identified. This section should also identify where the contract will be performed. If performance will occur at multiple government locations, this section should indicate which tasks must be completed where. If performance will be at the contractor’s facility, the SOW need only state that requirement. Anticipated Period of Performance Base Year - Period of Performance: March 24th, 2021 – March 23rd, 2022. Place of performance: RRM will be hosted remotely but will be available to the NIH IRP campuses in Maryland, Montana, and North Carolina. Scope; Participating I/Cs may range from one (1) to twenty three (23). Option Year 1 - Period of Performance: March 24th, 2022 – March 23rd, 2023. Place of performance: RRM will be hosted remotely but will be available to the NIH IRP campuses in Maryland, Montana, and North Carolina. Scope: Participating I/Cs may range from one (1) to twenty three (23). Option Year 2 - Period of Performance: March 24th, 2023 – March 23rd, 2024. RRM will be hosted remotely but will be available to the NIH IRP campuses in Maryland, Montana, and North Carolina. Scope: Participating I/Cs may range from one (1) to twenty three (23). Option Year 3 - Period of Performance: March 24th, 2024 – March 23rd, 2025. Place of performance: RRM will be hosted remotely but will be available to the NIH IRP campuses in Maryland, Montana, and North Carolina. Scope: Participating I/Cs may range from one (1) to twenty three (23). Option Year 4 - Period of Performance: March 24th, 2025 – March 23rd, 2026. Place of performance: RRM will be hosted remotely but will be available to the NIH IRP campuses in Maryland, Montana, and North Carolina. Scope: Participating I/Cs may range from one (1) to twenty three (23). Capability Statement/Information Sought: Businesses possessing experience and demonstrated capability to accomplish the aforementioned requirements and level of effort are to supply pertinent information in sufficient detail to demonstrate their ability to perform the required services. Information furnished must not exceed 20 pages (12point font minimum), including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc.? and should include an outline of previous or similar projects performed. All responses must include an indication of current certified small business status, and clearly marked on the first page of the capability statement, as well as the eligible small business concern's name, point of contact, address, and DUNS number. Information Submission Instructions: All capability statements sent in response to this notice must be sent electronically (via email) to Dr. William Etti, Contracting Officer, at William.Etti@nih.gov in either MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) by December 7th, 2020, 3:00 PM, ET. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. 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 the information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised 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 Federal Business Opportunities. 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 nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Primary Point of Contact.: Dr. William Etti, Contracting Officer E-mail: William.Etti@nih.gov Phone: 301402-4422 Contracting Office Address: 6011 Executive Blvd 5th Floor Rockville, Maryland 208523804 United States Place of Contract Performance: Bethesda, Maryland 20892 United States