NINDS Scientific Research Preparatory Summer Course
Amendment 1 The purpose of this Amendment 1 is to post Responses to Questions. See attachments for Amendment 1. ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED. This is a request for quotation to plan... Amendment 1 The purpose of this Amendment 1 is to post Responses to Questions. See attachments for Amendment 1. ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED. This is a request for quotation to plan and implement an American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) student scientific curriculum to prepare those students to be competitive applicants for the NIH Summer Intern Program (SIP). Attachments: 1) Statement of Work 2) Summer One Curriculum 3) Supplemental Proposal Instructions 4) Technical Evaluation Criteria 5) FAR 52.213-4, Terms and Conditions 6) Invoice Instructions 7) FAR 52.204-24 Provision REQUEST FOR QUOTATION PART I – GENERAL INFORMATION TO RESPONDENTS Introduction This Request for Quote (RFQ) is prepared in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. You are hereby invited to submit a quote-proposal in response to this RFQ. Respondents may submit a response in accordance with the instructions in this document. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has a requirement to prepare students from American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) populations to be competitive applicants for the NIH Summer Intern Program (SIP). NIH seeks colleges, universities and medical schools uniquely situated near AIAN communities and suited to provide a scholarly scientific curriculum and administer the AIAN SIP Prep Program. Acquisition Authority: This acquisition is being conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and the resultant contract award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05, dated March 10, 2021. c. North American Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541990—All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Small Business Size Standard: $16.5 M Set-aside Status: No restrictions, Full and Open Competition Competition Status: Competitive Contact Points The contact points for this requirement are as follows: Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government. Only the CO has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the contractor any costs incurred during the performance; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of the award. Valerie Whipple Telephone Number: (301) 827-5218 Email Address: valerie.whipple@nih.gov Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) A COR shall be appointed at time of award. The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor’s technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance. The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract. The Government may unilaterally change the COR designation. Proposal Submission The respondent must submit its quote package (business volume, technical volume, signed FAR 52.204-24 provision) to robin.knightly@nih.gov by Monday, May 10, 2021, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. The request for quote number and the respondent’s company name must be referenced in the subject line of the email transmission. The quote must be signed by an authorized signatory authority of the company. Your quote package should include: Business Volume Technical Volume A signed FAR 52.204-24 provision *****See attached Supplemental Proposal Instructions for details on how to prepare your quote package. Request for Clarification/Questions Requests for clarification/solicitation questions may be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer not later than 3 P.M. EST on Thursday, May 06, 2021. When submitting requests for clarification, respondents must cite the relevant section, paragraph, and page number. Questions should be written in a way that enables clear understanding of the respondents’ issues or concerns. Statements expressing opinions, sentiments, or conjectures are not considered valid inquiries and will not be provided a response. Further, respondents are reminded that the Contracting Officer will not address hypothetical questions aimed at receiving a potential “evaluation decision.” Respondents may submit no more than ten (10) questions for clarification. Written responses to the questions will be provided to all respondents through an amendment to the solicitation on Contract Opportunities (FBO) on beta.sam.gov. Award Date and Number of Awards It is anticipated that one or more awards will be made from this solicitation and that the award(s) will be made on/about May 13, 2021. It is anticipated that the award(s) from this RFQ is Firm Fixed-Price type with a period of performance on or about: Base Period: 5/13/2021 – 1/18/2021 Option Period 1: 1/19/2022 – 9/16/2022 See attached Statement of Work for more details. 6.1 Late Proposal Provisions Any proposal, modification, or revision that is received at the designated Government office after the exact date and time specified for receipt of proposals is “late” and may not be considered, at the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Proposals received “late” may not be evaluated or considered for award and may be returned to the offeror. Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel. If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of proposals by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation closing date, the time specified for receipt of proposals will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume. 7.1 Terms and Conditions In responding to this RFQ, it is the respondent’s responsibility to provide current, relevant, complete, and accurate information in their quotation. This RFQ does not commit the Government to pay any cost incurred in the submission of quotes-proposals or make necessary studies or designs for the preparation thereof, nor to procure or contract for the products or services. The Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this RFQ. Any other commitment, either explicit or implied, is invalid. A response to this RFQ is not to be considered an offer that can be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The actual purchase order is considered the offer by the Government to the contractor and the respondent’s written acceptance of the purchase order, or the commencement of performance under the order, is the respondent’s indication of their acceptance of the offer. In addition to the clauses and/or provisions of this RFQ, the resultant purchase order may include FAR Clause 52.213-4 Terms and Conditions—Simplified Acquisition (Other Than Commercial Items), and any other clauses and/or provisions required by Public Law, Executive Order, or the Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulations (HHSAR) applicable to or in effect at the time of execution of the award. Potential award without discussions. The Government reserves the right to issue an award(s) without discussions if the Contracting Officer determines that the initial prices are fair and reasonable and that discussions are not necessary. If an award(s) will be made without conducting discussions, the respondent may be given the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of its proposal to which the respondent has not previously had an opportunity to respond or to resolve minor or clerical errors. The RFQ may be amended or canceled, as necessary, to meet the Government’s requirements. All documents and deliverables described in this RFQ and amendments or modifications, shall be submitted in a professional manner and on the prime respondent’s letterhead. All work (hardware, software and services) must be Year 2000 Compliant. The following FAR Clauses are incorporated by reference and the full text can be found at https://www.acquisition.gov/: The provisions of FAR Clause 52.213-4 Terms and Conditions – Simplified Acquisition (Other Than Commercial Items or Services) – attached. 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (July 1990). FAR Clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor during the period of performance provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 15 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed two years. (End of Clause) FAR 52.227-17, Rights in Data – Special Works HHSAR Clause 352.237-75 Key Personnel (Dec 2015) HHSAR Clause 352.227-70, Publications and Publicity HHSAR Clause 352.231-70 Salary Rate Limitation (December 18, 2015) FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (OCT 2020) – attached. ****REQUIRES YOUR SIGNATURE AND RETURN WITH YOUR QUOTE PACKAGE. PART II – SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES The purpose of the Scientific Research Preparatory Summer Course is to prepare students from populations traditionally underrepresented in science, such as the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), to be competitive applicants for the NIH Summer Intern Program (SIP). NIH seeks contractors uniquely situated near AIAN communities and suited to provide a scholarly scientific curriculum and administer the AIAN SIP Prep Program. The Traditional Knowledge component of course cannot be presented by anyone outside the Native community. 2.0. DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT See attached Statement of Work, Summer One (1) Curriculum, and Supplemental Proposal Instructions. PART III – PROPOSAL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS General Responses to this RFQ will be evaluated to determine the contractor(s) that can best meet the Government’s needs at the best value. The evaluation results in assessment of the respondent’s ability to successfully accomplish the requirement. Therefore, the Contractor should read the RFQ carefully before preparing their response. The response should be practical, clear, and concise; and should comprehensively address the requirements of this RFQ. Assumptions, conditions, or exceptions with any of the terms and conditions of this RFQ must be noted. If not noted, the Government will assume that no assumptions, conditions, or exceptions are made and the respondent agrees to comply with all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the RFQ. Information requested herein must be furnished in writing fully and completely in compliance with the RFQ. The information requested and the manner of submittal is essential to permit prompt evaluation of all offers on a fair and uniform basis. Simple statements of compliance (i.e., “understood”; “will comply”) or phrases such as “standard procedures will be used” or “well known techniques will be utilized” and other generalities, without the detailed description of how compliance will be met, may not be considered sufficient evidence that the proposal can technically meet the project requirements. Accordingly, any proposal in which material information requested is not furnished or where indirect or incomplete answers or information are provided may be considered not acceptable. Respondents may, at their discretion, submit alternate proposals or proposals that deviate from the RFQ provided that a proposal for performance of work, as specified in the SOW, is also submitted. The alternate proposal may be considered if overall performance would be improved or not be compromised and if it is in the best interest of the Government. Alternate proposals or deviations from any requirements of this RFQ must be clearly identified. The quote-proposal must be signed by an official authorized to bind the respondent’s organization. The Government may request clarifying information from the respondent as it relates to its proposal. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all offers or any part thereof and to waive any minor informality or irregularity in offers received. Evaluation of Quotes and Award Determination The Government will evaluate all responses received using the evaluation criteria as set forth in the attached “Technical Evaluation Criteria.” Each response will be evaluated in strict conformity with the evaluation factors, utilizing written critiques. The evaluation will be based upon the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective contractor(s) in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the RFQ and Statement of Work. The price quoted will also be evaluated. A price reasonable determination will be made and a best value analysis will be performed. The best value analysis will take into consideration the results of the technical evaluation and price evaluation. The Government reserves the right to issue an order to the best value of the Government, technical merit, price, and other factors considered. All aspects of the quote are subject to discussion, including price, technical approach and terms and conditions. At the completion of discussions, the contractor will ensure their technical plan and price quote reflects the mutual understandings of the requirement and if requested, submit a revised technical plan and price quote to the Contracting Officer. The Technical plan should consist of the contractor’s intent and approach to this particular effort. The Government may request clarifying information from the contractor, as it relates to its quote. If an award(s) will be made without conducting discussions, contractors may be given the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of their quote or to resolve minor or clerical errors. The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards, or no award at all as a result of this RFQ. In addition, the RFQ may be amended or canceled as necessary to meet the Government’s requirements. Offerors should review the attached Supplemental Proposal Instructions. 3.1 Technical Proposal Instructions and Format The technical proposal is the most important item in the evaluation of the respondent’s capability to perform the desired services. Therefore, the proposal must present sufficient information to reflect a thorough understanding of the work requirements and a detailed technical approach for achieving project objectives as set forth in the SOW. All aspects of a proposal are subject to discussion, including price, technical approach, and terms and conditions. At the completion of discussions, the contractor must ensure its technical plan and price-cost proposal reflect the mutual understandings of the requirement and, if requested, submit a revised technical plan and price-cost proposal. The technical plan should consist of the respondent’s intent and approach to the requirements, any considerations that should be made by the Government, as well as any additional information that expresses the respondent’s position above competitors for this effort. See attached Supplemental Proposal Instructions for more details. 4.1 Price-Cost Proposal Instructions A firm fixed-price (FFP) proposal is requested. The fixed price quote should include a fixed price for performance of the Base Period, Option Period 1, and a sum total. This is not a cost reimburseable order, therefore it is not expected that your quote include estimated cost elements that is more traditionally part of a cost reimburseable requirement. Evaluation Factors The Government will award a purchase order or orders resulting from this requirement on the basis of best value, technical factors and price considered. Technical factors together shall be considered more important than price. See attached Technical Evaluation Criteria for details. 6.1 Invoice Instructions See attached Invoice Instructions.
Data sourced from SAM.gov.
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