This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in (FAR) Subpart 12.6 Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items; as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This notice constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ) HHS-NIH-NLM-CSS-10-137-SES. This acquisition is not a small business set-aside and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services with a size standard of $7.0 million.

This acquisition is being conducted under the procedures in accordance with FAR 13.3 Simplified Acquisition Methods and FAR Part 13.5 Test Program For Certain Commercial Items. The resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-43.

Background

In 1991 the National Library of Medicine's Specialized Information Services (SIS) Division commenced a one-year pilot initiative referred to as TIOP (Toxicology Information Outreach Project). Its modest but important mission was to strengthen the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to train health professionals to use NLM's Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program databases. Representatives of eight HBCUs attended the first TIOP meeting, held at NLM in August of that year.

In the nineteen years since its inception, the project has strengthened the link between NLM and HBCUs to a point where by the year 2000 nearly 80 minority institutions have received training under the TIOP program. The initiative has also grown in breadth and scope as well as in size. In addition to its initial focus on toxicology and environmental health, other health disparities have been added representing a broader perspective of minority health.
Nine institutions were initially selected to participate in what was characterized at the time as a "pilot" Toxicology Information Outreach Project. These institutions were:

• Charles R. Drew University
• Florida A&M University
• Howard University
• Meharry Medical College
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• Texas Southern University
• Tuskegee University
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• Xavier University

Though considered extremely successful by NLM, TIOP members and beneficiaries, by 2002 the program had reached a point in its growth where new definition for future growth was being called for. In an assessment of the program in 2001 all panel members were of the opinion that they could "better respond to NLM's desire for increased awareness and increased use of NLM resources -- while at the same time better serving their own institutional missions -- if the TIOP program were strengthened and broadened in scope." At that time TIOP was renamed the Environmental Health Information Outreach Program and the scope modified to include health disparities and community health information outreach. The participation was also expanded to include additional minority serving institutions.

More recently, the program was renamed as the Environmental Health Information Partnership (EnHIP) with twenty-one participating minority serving institutions. The group has developed a new strategic plan in alignment with NLM's Long Range Plan, Charting the Course for the 21st Century. The focus remains on building the capacity of these institutions to use health information and information technology and incorporate this into their curricula. However, it now also includes promoting and supporting research, community outreach, and increasing the number of minorities in biomedicine and biomedical informatics.

Contractor Tasks

The Contractor, EnHIP Senior Science Advisor, shall perform the following tasks:

1) Provide guidance to NLM in the development of EnHIP projects and plans;
2) Attend EnHIP Executive Committee meetings and program meetings
3) Meet, as needed, with the EnHIP Executive Secretary and NLM staff
4) Coordinate up to two seminars focused on state-of-the art developments associated with minority health (e.g., gene-environment interaction)
5) Represent NLM, as requested, at minority health-related conferences and meetings.

Period of Performance

The purchase order period of performance will be for a 12-month period from the date of award, with two (2) one-year option periods. The anticipated award date is expected to be on or around September 15, 2010.

The following is an estimate of possible hours:
Base Year: 120 hours per year, subject to available funding
Option Year 1: 120 hours per year, subject to available funding
Option Year 2: 120 hours per year, subject to available funding

Proposal Instructions

Offerors are required to submit curriculum vitae and detailed information regarding the type, background, experience, relevant academic preparation, training and availability of personnel being proposed for this purchase order.

Offerors are required to submit a narrative showing how they would approach and carry out the project. This narrative should delineate procedures which would be used to achieve the aims of the project and the required level of quality control and should indicate potential difficulties and propose solutions. The narrative is expected to be a clear reflection of the offeror's understanding of the project.

Offerors must furnish in their technical proposals references from 3 past efforts of a similar nature including contact persons, organizations and telephone numbers and a brief description of the efforts. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

The following clauses and provisions cited herein are incorporated by reference into this solicitation and may be obtained from the web site http://rcb.cancer.gov/rcb-internet/SAP/sap.htm: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial (June 2008), and FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (October 2008). The attached Addendum to Terms and Conditions of Purchase Order also applies to this solicitation. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items (January 1999), also applies with the following evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of the provision:

Mandatory Criteria

TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. Qualifications and experience of proposed personnel
1) Expertise in public health, toxicology, environmental health or other related sciences. Expertise is developed through employment or education such as advanced degrees in one of the subjects, serving in the public health workforce, university faculty member, etc. (40%)

B. Understanding of the requirements and adequacy of the technical approach
1) Experience in working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), organizations of HBCUs, and other minority serving educational institutions. Experience developed through working at such an institution, serving on boards of such institutions, working with or on boards of organizations of such institutions (e.g., Association of Minority Health Professions Schools), working in community outreach with such an academic institution. (40%)

C. Past Performance and Corporate Experience:
1) Experience with the role of the National Library of Medicine and electronic environmental health information resources and services in improving the public's health. The consultant should have experience with the use of electronic health information resources in the areas of environmental health, toxicology, chemistry, or other health sciences. (20%)

An award will be made to the offeror who represents the best value to the Government. Offerors must submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (February 2009), with their offers. The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (February 2009), and the attached Statement of Work (SOW) apply to this acquisition, as well as the following clauses cited therein: FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003), and FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (October 2003).

Any questions can be submitted to Shari Shor, Contract Specialist, at [email protected] or 301-435-4388. All information received will be considered as part of a competitive acquisition. RESPONSES ARE DUE BY 1:00 PM LOCAL PREVAILING TIME ON August 26, 2010, AND SHALL BE SENT VIA E-MAIL TO: [email protected].