The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), located on the National Naval Medical Campus (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the National Academy of Sciences (dba National Research Council (NRC)) for a resident research associateship program at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI). The NRC is a private, independent, non-profit institution that provides science, technology and health policy advice under a congressional charter.

The awarded contract will be an option year order with a base period of one (1) year with four (4) one (1) year options, in accordance with FAR 17.204(e). This order is being procured in accordance with FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).

Sole source determination is made in accordance with:

FAR Part 13.106-1 Soliciting Competition

(b) Soliciting from a single source

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

Per U.S. Code Title 10, Subtitle A, Part III, Chapter 104, §2113(g)(1)(E), "The Secretary of Defense also is authorized to enter into agreements with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, or with any other nonprofit entity, under which scientists or other personnel of the Foundation or other entity may be utilized by the University for the purpose of enhancing the activities of the University in education, research, and technological applications of knowledge." As previously stated, the NRC is a part of a nonprofit institution. Therefore, USUHS is authorized to enter into an agreement with NRC on a sole source basis.

AFRRI requires scientific and technological panels to establish and maintain a successful Research Associateship Program for visiting research scientists to contribute to AFRRI or any of AFRRI's laboratories. The NRC recommends and makes Research Associateship awards to outstanding scientists and engineers, at the postdoctoral and senior levels, for tenure as guest researchers at the participating laboratories. The Associateship provides opportunities for awardees to increase their proficiency in research and to advance the research of the sponsoring laboratories. The research associates will provide research efforts in the areas of Radiation Protection, Causality Management, and Performance Management Radiation Hazards Analysis under the direction of an AFRRI scientist.

This is not a request for quotes and a solicitation package will not be issued. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses must be submitted electronically, via email, to [email protected] by 10:00 AM (EST) on June 22, 2010.

Bid Protests Not Available