ITOPSS II Sample Task Order 0001 Vietnam

ATTACHMENT J.1

SAMPLE TASK ORDER 0001 (REV 1)

ITOPSS II

REQUEST FOR TASK ORDER PROPOSAL

Service Title: HIV/AIDS, Operational/Management and Laboratory Support Services

Country: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, VIETNAM

C. PEFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT (PBWS)

C1. BACKGROUND AND NEED

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) mission is to promote the health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. As part of this mission, CDC is tasked with implementing programs to ensure that people around the world will live safer, healthier lives through protecting Americans at home and abroad from health threats via international prevention, detection and response networks and promoting CDC and the United States Government as trusted and effective resources for health development around the globe.

CDC addresses critical global public health challenges through working with a diverse set of partners to support the development and implementation of culturally-appropriate public health interventions. Through health promotion activities, both domestically and abroad, CDC contributes to reductions in global morbidity and mortality.

The mission of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is to promote the health and quality of life of people by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. CDC through its newly created Center for Global Health (CGH) is in a position to bring its scientific expertise and credibility to the U.S. Global Health Initiative (GHI): “to protect the health of our people, while saving lives, reducing suffering, and supporting the health and dignity of people everywhere.” The key elements of CDC’s global health strategy are:

• Assist Ministries of Health to plan, effectively manage, and evaluate health programs;

• Achieve goals adopted by USG programs and international organizations to improve health, including disease eradication and elimination targets;

• Expand CDC’s global health programs that focus on the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability, especially chronic disease and injuries;

• Generate and apply new knowledge to achieve health goals; and

• Strengthen health systems and their impact.

As part of this mission, CDC is tasked with implementing programs in international settings, primarily in developing countries. To reach these goals HHS/CDC focuses on the following major program areas: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Global Immunizations, Influenza, Global Disease Detection, Safe Water, Injury & Violence, Birth Defects & Developmental Disability, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training, Sustainable Management Development, Reproductive Health, Workforce and Career Development, and Global Preparedness & Program Coordination.

The functions of the Center for Global Health include the following:

(1) Provides strategic direction and guidance on the execution of CDC’s global health strategy, including decision-making, policy development and program planning and evaluation; (2) ensures the impact and effectiveness of Congressionally-mandated programs; (3) improves implementation and coordination of CDC global programs; (4) harmonizes CDC global health priorities with host country priorities to improve essential public health functions and maximize positive health outcomes, country ownership and sustainability; (5) supervises all CDC country directors and provides leadership in the selection of additional countries to expand or establish collaboration; and (6) measures the performance of CDC’s global health programs in terms of public health impact and fiscal accountability; (7) facilitates the conduct and maintenance of ethical and high quality, evidence-based scientific investigations by implementing regulatory requirements, monitoring human subjects compliance, and clearing scientific products; (8) promotes cross-cutting agendas and harmonizes CDC’s global laboratory science activities to improve diagnostic methodologies and respond to threats of emerging pathogens; (9) provides leadership to promote growth of CDC global health programs; (10) analyzes, measures, and evaluates the global burden and distribution of disease; (11) promotes scientific innovation and best technical practices in global health surveillance, epidemiology, outbreak investigation, monitoring and evaluation, and informatics; (12) provides leadership on issues management, budget formulation and performance integration, and country-specific issues through triaging to programs; (13) participates in defining, developing, shaping and implementing US global health policy and actions; (14) manages inter-governmental and external affairs and cultivates strategic partnerships; (15) plans and executes CDC’s global health communications strategy and public affairs media response/outreach; (16) provides oversight, guidance, and accountability for all operations functions, human resources, workforce management, budget formulation and distribution, extramural reviews and processing, internal and domestic travel, and property management responsibilities of CGH; and (17) develops standardized management processes and solutions for CDC country offices.

The first phase of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR I) was a 5-year, $15 billion multi-faceted approach to combating HIV/AIDS in more than 100 countries around the world. Since the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-25) was signed by the President on May 27, 2003, the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) has coordinated the U.S.

Government’s world-wide response to HIV/AIDS. In full partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Labor, and the Peace Corps, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], the National Institutes of Health [NIH], and the Health Resources & Services Administration [HRSA]) provides essential technical assistance to implement PEPFAR.

On July 30, 2008, President George W. Bush signed into law the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5501) which reauthorizes PEPFAR to continue with a similar mandate for another five years at higher funding levels. The second phase of PEPFAR, or PEPFAR II, seeks to expand HIV prevention, care, and treatment, building on the successes of PEFPAR I and advancing in several important new directions, including:

• Ensuring that programs are sustainable, country-owned and country-driven

• Transitioning from an emergency response to promotion of sustainable country programs

• Strengthen partner government capacity to lead the response to this epidemic and other health demands

• Expand prevention, care, and treatment in both concentrated and generalized epidemics.

• Integrating and coordinating HIV/AIDS programs with broader global health programs to maximize impact on health systems

• Investing in innovation and operations research to evaluate impact, improve service delivery and maximize outcomes

Specific targets for PEPFAR II include:

Prevention:

• support the prevention of more than 12 million new HIV infections;

• ensure that every partner country with a generalized epidemic has both 80% coverage of testing for pregnant women at the national level, and 85% coverage of antiretroviral drug (ARV) prophylaxis and treatment, as indicated, of women found to be HIV-infected;

• double the number of at-risk babies born HIV-free, from the 240,000 babies of HIV-positive mothers who were born HIV-negative during the first five years of PEPFAR;

• in every partner country with a generalized epidemic, provide 100% of youth in PEPFAR prevention programs with comprehensive and correct knowledge of the ways HIV/AIDS is transmitted and ways to protect themselves, consistent with Millennium Development Goal indicators in this area.

Care and Support and Treatment

• provide direct support for more than 4 million people on treatment, more than doubling the number of people directly supported on treatment during the first five years of PEPFAR

• support care for more than 12 million people, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs)

• Ensure that every partner country with a generalized epidemic reaches a threshold of 65% coverage for early infant diagnosis at the national level, and testing of 80% of older children of HIV-positive mothers, with increased referrals and linkages to care and treatment.

Sustainability

• support training and retention of more than 140,000 new health care workers to strengthen health systems

• in order to support country ownership, ensure that in each country with a major PEPFAR investment

(greater than $5 million), the partner government leads efforts to evaluate and define needs and roles in the national response

• ensure that in every partner country with a Partnership Framework, each country will change policies to address the larger structural conditions which contribute to the spread of the epidemic.

At CDC, the Global AIDS Program (GAP) has been actively involved in PEPFAR since its beginning in 2003, with its highly-trained behavioral, health, and laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, medical officers, and public health advisors working at headquarters and in the field and regional offices to support national strategies for sustainable, integrated HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs. GAP staff provides expertise in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, infrastructure development, laboratory capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, surveillance, and public health evaluation research.

CDC will furnish the Contractor with the information and materials needed to complete the tasks described below.

These materials may include country program descriptions and scopes of work as well as relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines that become available periodically throughout the contract period. Additional information about PEPFAR can be obtained at www.pepfar.gov, and for CDC’s Global AIDS Program at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp.

C.2 SERVICE OBJECTIVES

HIV/AIDS SUPPORT OVERVIEW

The contractor shall provide medical advice/assistance in the development of CDC HIV/AIDS programs aimed at helping the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the Ho Chi Minh City Provincial AIDS Committee (HCMC PAC) develop strong and effective national programs in the areas of primary HIV intervention, promotion of HIV care and treatment programs, capacity building in HIV/STD surveillance methods.

The contractor shall provide technical advice/assistance in the development of new and improvements in existing CDC HIV/AIDS programs in the areas of Surveillance and Monitoring & Evaluation, epidemiological surveillance initiatives, the epidemiological design and data analysis for prevention and treatment program evaluations, building partners’ surveillance and M & E capacity and stewardship of the resources dedicated to strategic information (SI) projects funded by the cooperative agreements between the HCMC PAC and CDC.

Note: For information only - historically, these services were performed by two contractors (Technical Advisor and Medical Advisor) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT OVERVIEW

The contractor shall provide technical assistance in the areas of program planning, policy formulation and implementation and advice regarding resource management. The contractor shall monitor cooperative agreements between CDC and the HCMC PAC and Pasteur Institute and mentor/train recipient staff, program officers, ASPH fellows to design, administer and manage those agreements.

Note: For information only - historically, these services were performed by three contractors: two program managers and one management consultant in Ho chi Minh City, Vietnam

LABORATORY SUPPORT OVERVIEW

The Contractor shall independently assist the Vietnam Laboratory Team with performing assessments of central and provincial laboratories, formulating and implementing sound policies for laboratory Quality Assurance and developing and implementing training activities, identifying appropriate resources to support on-going laboratory requirements and coordinating with international partners.

Note: for information only - historically, these types of tasks were performed by two contractors: lab specialist in HANOI, Vietnam http://www.pepfar.gov/� http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp�

C.3 SPECIFIC TASKS

C.3.1 HIV Support Services – Technical advice/assistance and Medical advice/assistance

A. Technical Advice/assistance

(1) Strengthen the national HIV seroprevalence surveillance system (HSS)

The contractor shall independently assist the MoH with producing improved protocols, guidelines, standard operating procedures and training curricula and with establishing a national HSS quality assurance system. The contractor shall use the latest scientific data, research and findings as well as best practices available in this effort. Protocols must conform to accepted medical ethics and applicable laws, regulations and reporting requirements of the Government of Vietnam. A monthly status report will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS.

(2) Support Vietnam HIV/AIDS Estimates and Projections activities

The contractor shall assist the MoH and the HCMC PAC with identifying and initiating epidemiological and programmatic data-gathering activities, conducting data quality reviews and subsequent data clean-up. Additionally, the contractor shall train partners (list to be provided by CDC COTR after award) in the use of modeling software and oversee the study design, field implementation and data analysis of PEPFAR-funded surveys designed to provide MoH and PEPFAR with critical biological and behavioral data amongst high-risk populations (sex workers, IV drug users, clients of sex workers and men who have sex with men). A monthly status report will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS.

(3) Establish incidence surveillance in Vietnam

The Contractor shall assist the MoH with establishing incidence surveillance through the validation of incidence assays and integration of incidence into the existing surveillance systems in Vietnam. In this role, the contractor will serve as a national expert in the use of incidence assay tools for strategic information and work closely with international counterparts in related scientific forums for the purpose of keeping current knowledge about evolving technologies and methodologies. A monthly status report will be prepared and

(4) Promote data use by CDC management and programmatic staff.

The contractor shall assist PEPFAR, MoH and partners with managing, analyzing, interpreting seroprevalence and programmatic data including demonstrating the use of computer applications for trend analysis and geographic information systems; develop protocols and assist the MoH with obtaining size estimates of targeted populations in PEPFAR-focus provinces; and advise and assist the National M&E Technical Working Group with the development of strategic plans and reaching previously established objectives in the National Surveillance and M&E Framework. A monthly status report will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS.

B. Medical Advice/assistance

(1) Develop a plan for the implementation and administration of voluntary counseling and testing services

The contractor shall design plans for: the implementation and administration of voluntary counseling and testing services, development of community outreach for high-risk populations, demonstration projects aimed at prevention of maternal-to-child HIV transmission (including a schedule and tentative locations), promotion of effective “universal precautions” policies and exposures for health care workers and promotion of blood safety programs. A quarterly progress report will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS.

(2) Promote practical, effective HIV care and treatment programs

The contractor shall develop systems linking HIV-infected persons to care, healthcare providers to training about HIV management and care, laboratory workers to training and sustainable treatment models for and diagnosis of opportunistic infections (OI)s. In addition, the contractor shall assist the MoH with the development of effective national HIV management and treatment guidelines. A quarterly status report will be prepared and

(3) Build capacity through technical assistance

The Contractor shall provide professional advice based on professional experience and training to the MoH and other stakeholders involved in the development of national strategies, monitoring of program implementation and evaluations, and identification of program priorities and work primarily with the GAP field office, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Provincial AIDS Committees and other bilateral and multilateral donors. A quarterly status report will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS.

C.3.2 Operations and Management Support – Management Consulting and Program management

A Management Consulting Services

(1) Provide services in the areas of annual program budget formulation and administrative operations

The Contractor shall participate in the development and planning of the budget for the local program and the overall program budget for the entire fiscal year and future years’ needs.

This will include the annual preparation of the Country Operating Plan (COP) budget and activity templates. The contractor shall also advise CDC Management regarding appropriate internal and systems controls (based on OMB Circular A-123, A-76 and A-110).

(2) Provide support in the development, management and implementation of cooperative agreements

The contractor shall advise CDC management regarding all aspects of developing, managing and implementing cooperative agreements to be established between CDC and various entities in Vietnam. Such on-going advice will be in compliance with federal guidelines (OMB circular A-122). Advice and assistance will be in the areas of:

a. developing the language required for Funding Opportunity Announcements,

b. deciding whether to submit FOAs as single or multiple eligibility,

c. preparing the single eligibility justification

d. planning the objective review process and nominating participants to perform the reviews,

e. designing the orientation package and meetings/trainings for the new recipients

f. selecting audit firms to perform periodic audits

g. mentoring recipients in the area of financial reporting, and carryovers

h. preparing supplemental agreements and continuations

Since this is on-going, interactive support, there are no tangible deliverables associated with these management consulting services.

C. Program Management Services

(1) Provide liaison services in the areas of cooperative agreements

a. The Contractor shall receive requests from CDC-HQ in Atlanta, GA, the

Procurement and Grants office and Cooperative Agreement recipients regarding current, active cooperative agreements, agreements going through closeout procedures and agreements planned for future dates.

b. Track and review progress made on implementation of HCMC cooperative agreements to assure all agreements are planned, prepared, submitted, reviewed and awarded in compliance with USG requirements.

c. Assist cooperative agreement recipients with meeting key deadlines and submission of required documentation and developing timelines for program implementation and with institutionalizing and using grantee/CDC work plans, report development and analysis as tools for management and planning among grantees and CDC technical staff. Provide training to enhance grantees’ ability to use management data as a monitoring tool. See more info at: http://www.hhs.gov/grants

d. Review continuation applications and related submissions for content, management issues, and budget and bring issues to the attention of the CoAg lead, the incumbent ASPH fellow and discuss with project officers, technical leads and ASPH fellow to arrive at resolution.

e. Suggest and test tools for tracking and monitoring FOA, SEJ announcements for management, including financial tracking system. Provide guidance to cooperative agreement recipients on best practices for standardization guidelines for cooperative agreements and transition for ASPH budgeting and other unmet needs.

f. As a member and organizer of the program management/coag working group, review issues, develop presentations and tracking and monitoring tools for grantees and management officers. The presentations will be prepared, submitted to the Task order COTR for review and comment, revised to incorporate comments and ready to use 90 days from task order award.

g. Train and provide technical assistance to HCMC grantees and CDC staff in the area of budget forecasting for grants and cooperative agreements. An initial training must occur within 120 days from award and on-going support will be provided through the end of the performance period.

(2) Provide administrative support services to cooperative agreement staff, CDC senior management, program officers and ASPH fellows.

The contractor shall assist transitioning ASPH fellows with various aspects of worklife. The contractor shall provide the new fellow with the names and contact information of the recipient organizations, FMO budget analyst for GAP-Vietnam, PGO grants officer, PGO International contracts team lead and regional contracting officer, GAP country support officer, extramural specialist and global business management specialists in GAP-HQ Atlanta. The contractor shall assist new hires and new contractors with obtaining telephones, office supplies, desktop computers and peripherals, obtaining access and connectivity to networks and printers, ordering laptops and cell phones or blackberries, obtaining clearances http://www.hhs.gov/grants� when needed, in-processing, out-processing, Embassy administrative points of contact, when needed Manage visitors, including US Government delegations, planned visits to CDC-funded sites.

Quarterly progress reports on Program management services will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS

C.3.3 Laboratory Support

A. Laboratory Support

(1) Develop documents and oral presentations that describe Laboratory activities for Provincial AIDS Centers (PACs) and clinical settings

The Contractor shall create and deliver English language speeches/presentations and PowerPoint documents to describe Laboratory activities in Vietnam. The audience will typically be members of PACs or health-care providers who work in clinical settings.

The completed documents and presentations are expected to be ready to deliver to live audiences within 45 days of contract award. The Contractor shall conduct meetings as necessary with other lab staff and CDC management to gather information needed.

(2) Conduct site visits with GVN partners

The contractor shall travel to partners’ facilities and sites where work is in progress or planned to assess needs and document unmet requirements. A site visit report is to be submitted to the CDC task order COTR one week after each visit, to document those needs and requirements.

The contractor shall advise partners regarding ways to ensure data quality at the site and make recommendations to the GVN.

(3) Train staff members in writing standard operating procedures

The contractor shall develop a training program for various audiences, including CDC staff and partner organizations. The training will be for the purpose of learning how to compose standard operating procedures. The procedures needed are for clinical and diagnostic laboratories at the GOV’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases. The training should equip attendees with both the ability to write SOPs and to teach others to do the same. The SOPs to be written must include the aspects of quality assurance and bio-safety practices required for CLIA international laboratory certification.

Documents, presentations and reports described above will be prepared and submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables found in section C.5. of this PWS

C.4 Place of Performance

Services Title Place of Performance

C.3.1 HIV SUPPORT

SERVICES

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM (FORMERLY SAIGON) (CDC

Office)

C.3.2

OPERATIONS AND

MANAGEMENT

SUPPORT

SERVICES

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM(FORMERLY SAIGON) (CDC

Office)

C.3.3

LABORATORY

SUPPORT

SERVICES

HANOI, VIETNAM (CDC Office)

C.5 Reporting Requirements and Deliverables

The Contractor shall initiate, schedule, and conduct meetings and site visits as needed and according to the specified tasks above or as agreed upon in consultation with the COTR and CO. The items specified for delivery are subject to the inspection and approval by the COTR before final acceptance. The Contractor shall be required to make revisions deemed necessary by the COTR.

The Contractor shall provide the following Deliverables.*

Deliverables

*The Contractor shall send the original the Task Order COTR. The contractor will accomplish or provide the following in accordance with due dates:

C.5.1 Section C.3.1 HIV Support Services (Technical advice/assistance and Medical advice/assistance)

Actions/Tasks Work Requested Due Section C.3.1.A(1)-(3)

Monthly status reports Due by the 5th workday of the month

Section C.3.1.B (1)-(3) Quarterly progress reports Due 10 days following end of quarter

C.5.2 Section C.3.2 Operations and Management Support (Management Consulting and Program management)

Section C.3.2.C(1)f Presentation “Tracking and Monitoring Tools for Grantees and

Management Officers” 90 days following date of award

Section C.3.2.C(1)g Training materials for Grant and Cooperative Agreement Budget Forecasting

90 days following date of award

Section C.3.2.C(2) Quarterly Progress Reports Due 10 days following end of quarter

C.5.3 Section C.3.3 LABORATORY SUPPORT SERVICES

Section C.3.3.A(1) Documents and presentation materials for PACs 45 days from date of award

Section C.3.3.A(2) Site visit reports 5 days after return from site visit

Section C.3.3.A(2) Training program: “Composing Standard Operating Procedures”

60 days from date of award

C.5.4 For Sections C.3.1, C.3.2., and C.3.3.

FOR ENTIRE TASK ORDER

Complete Set of Deliverables

The Contactor shall also provide to the COTR, on a single CD/DVD-ROM or other acceptable format, a complete set of all Deliverables generated under Tasks C.3.1, C.3.2, and C.3.3.

Within 10 calendars of task order expiration

C.6 References

Report formats where available from past reporting will be provided. COP reporting is automated and template driven, so OJT will be provided to instruct individuals on various requirements. CDC will provide all necessary information and informal OJT to complete data entry and reporting activities.

C.7 Performance-Based Matrices

For Services listed in C3.1, C.3.2, and C.3.3

Service Required Measures of Success Indicators

Standards - Criteria for Acceptance

Method of Surveillance

"Incentives" Positive or Negative

Tasks C.3.1, C.3.2, and C.3.3, and Complete Set of Deliverables

Contractor shall perform all tasks/services in accordance with (IAW) applicable regulatory standards, task order requirements, and procedural guidelines as stated in this task order.

100% of Services/tasks adhere to applicable regulatory standards, task order requirements, and procedural guidelines as stated in this task order.

COTR approval and observation.

Positive: Past Performance and Evaluation will be used in determining awards for future task orders for similar services;

Negative:

Performance evaluations will include any services that failed to meet acceptable standards and will be used in determining awards for future task orders for similar services

C.8 Government Furnished Property*

Services Title Desktop Laptop Blackberry Mobile

Phone Other

Other

C.3.1 HIV SUPPORT

SERVICES

X

C.3.2 OPERATIONS AND

MANAGEMENT

SUPPORT SERVICES

X

C.3.3 LABORATORY

SUPPORT SERVICES

X X

C.9 Period of Performance : Base Period, 12 months from the date of award, plus 4 12-month Options

Services Title Base

Period Option Period 1

Option Period 2

Option Period 3

Option Period 4

C.3.1 HIV SUPPORT

SERVICES X X X X X

C.3.2 OPERATIONS AND

MANAGEMENT

SUPPORT SERVICES

X X X X X

C.3.3 LABORATORY

SUPPORT SERVICES X X X X X

C.10 Personal and Non-Personal Services (See below for Definition)

Services Title Personal Service* Non-Personal

Service** C.3.1 HIV/AIDS Support

X C.3.2 Operations and Management X C.3.3 Laboratory support X

* Personal Service(s):

Timeliness –

(1)All tasks, reports, and deliverables completed within due date specified in Section C.5.

100% of time –All tasks, reports, and deliverables shall be performed by due date specified in Section C.5 unless delay is approved in advanced by COTR.

COTR approval and observation.

Positive: Past Performance and Evaluation will be used in determining awards for future task orders for similar services;

Negative:

Performance evaluations will include any services that failed to meet acceptable standards and will be used in determining awards for future task orders for similar services.

Contractors employed under personal services task orders will not have USG signatory authority, nor will they be able to represent themselves as USG personnel. All contractor employees are required to comply with CDC policies regarding representation, including email signatures, answering the phone, voicemail messages and business cards.

For all purposes of complying with local laws and customs, the contractor shall be the employer of record and assume all liabilities associated with providing services in the location identified in this task order.

**Non Personal Service(s):

Contractor Employees performing services under this order will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the Contractor. Contractor Employees will perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of Contractor Employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any Contractor Employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S. Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The Government will control access to the facility and will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work

C.11 Authority to Obligate Government

The Task Order Contracting Officer is the only individual who may legally commit the U.S. Government to the expenditure of public funds. The Contractor may not incur costs chargeable to this task order before the receipt of either a task order signed by the Contracting Officer or a specific written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

C.12 Task Order Type

X Cost Reimbursement (Cost Plus Fixed-Fee) X Severable Non-Severable

C.13 Security/Background Check Requirements

Security/Background Check requirements may need to be performed prior to task order performance.

C.14 CDC Provided Services

None.

C.15 Contractor Use of CDC/USG Vehicles*

Services Title Permitted Use of CDC/USG Vehicles

C.3.1 HIV SUPPORT

SERVICES

X

C.3.2 OPERATIONS AND

MANAGEMENT

SUPPORT SERVICES

X

C.3.3 LABORATORY

SUPPORT SERVICES

X

*The Contractor(s) providing the services marked with “X” are authorized to ride within CDC/USG Vehicles to attend routine meetings within a 50-mile radius on a regular basis, visit local facilities and offices within a 50-mile radius to consult with local authorities and experts in related fields, and/or to coordinate with the local Ministry of Health officials, hospital staff, etc. in areas that surrounding the duty location as will be frequent and necessary to complete the assigned tasks.

H. HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE (HSPD) -12

REQUIREMENTS

(a) To perform the work specified herein, contractor personnel are expected to have routine 1) physical access to an HHS-controlled facility; 2) logical access to an HHS controlled information systems; or 3) access to sensitive HHS data or information, whether in an HHS controlled information system or in hard copy. This contract/order will entail the following position sensitivity level(s): Public Trust Level 5, a NACIC (NACI + credit check) would be applicable.

(b) To gain routine physical access to an HHS facility, logical access to an HHS controlled information system, and or access to sensitive data or information, the contractor and its employees shall comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors; Office of Management and Budget Memorandum (M-05-24); Federal Information Processing Standards Publication Number 201; and with the personal identity verification and investigation procedures contained in the following documents:

(1) HHS Information Security Program Policy

(2) HHS Office of Security and Drug Testing, Personnel Security/Suitability Handbook, dated February 1, 2005

(3) "IN- AND OUT-PROCESSING OF CDC FTEs, PSCs, CONTRACTORS, AND OTHER NON-FTEs" Policy

(4) "VISITORS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE WORKPLACE AT

CDC" Policy

(c) The personnel investigation procedures for Contractor personnel require that the Contractor prepare and submit background check/investigation forms based on the type of investigation required. The minimum Government investigation for a non-sensitive position is a National Agency Check and Inquiries (with fingerprinting). More restricted positions, above non-sensitive, require more extensive documentation and investigation. As part of its proposal, and if the anticipated position sensitivity levels are specified above, the Offeror shall notify the Contracting Officer of (1) its proposed personnel who will be subject to a background check/investigation and (2) whether any of its proposed personnel who will work under the contract have previously been the subject of national agency checks or background investigations.

(d) Investigations are expensive and may delay performance, regardless of the outcome of the investigation.

Delays associated with rejections and consequent re-investigations may not be excusable in accordance with the FAR clause, Excusable Delays--see FAR 52.249-14. Accordingly, if position sensitivity levels are specified above, the offeror shall ensure that the employees it proposes for work under this contract have a reasonable chance for approval.

(e) Multiple investigations for the same position may, at the Contracting Officer’s discretion, justify reduction(s) in the contract price of no more than the cost of the extra investigation(s).

(f) Language similar to this Security section shall be included in any subcontracts which require subcontractor personnel to have the same frequency and duration of (1) physical access to an HHS-controlled facility; (2) logical access to an HHS-controlled information system; or (3) access to sensitive HHS data/information, whether in an HHS-controlled information system or in hard copy; access to an information system, access to sensitive data, regular or prolonged access to an HHS-controlled facility.

(g) Inquiries on matters that affect contract compliance or terms and conditions should be directed to the Contracting Officer or designee.

(h) Within seven (7) calendar days after final acceptance of the work specified herein, the contractor shall return all identification badges in accordance with CDC's Policy titled "In- And Out-Processing of CDC FTEs, PSCs, Contractors, and Other Non-FTEs Policy". Contractor employees who separate from service under the contract prior to final acceptance shall be out processed in accordance with that same policy.

G. CONTRACT/TASK ORDER ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 Task Order Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

TBD

G.2 Headquarter Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

TBD

G.3 Contracting Officer

Sheila Dolan International Acquisition and Assistance Branch Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2920 Brandywine Rd, MS K-75 Atlanta, GA 30341 Office: 770.488.2638 Email: egy8@cdc.gov

L. INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 Business Proposal Criteria for Task Order

L.1.1 Include all supporting costs for each Task Request for evaluation (fringe, overhead rate, G&A, profit etc).

Supporting Documentation for each proposed cost must be included (payroll records, indirect rate agreement, vendor quotes, etc.). The pricing for the Request for Task Order Proposal shall be for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee Task Order.

The itemized cost and the rationale for individual cost categories shall be furnished as follows:

(1) Direct Labor. Provide a weekly breakdown of labor hours, rates, and cost by appropriate category, and furnish bases for estimates;

(2). Indirect Costs. Indicate how you have computed and applied your indirect costs (overhead rate, G&A rate etc.), including cost breakdowns. Show trends and budgetary data to provide a basis for evaluating the reasonableness of proposed rates. Indicate the rates used and provide an appropriate explanation;

(3) Other Direct Costs. Provide a breakdown of all other costs not otherwise included in the categories listed above (e.g. computer and consultant services, training etc.) and provide bases for pricing;

(4) Fringe Benefits: Show fringe benefits as a separate cost category. Include the rate(s) and the method of calculating fringe benefits. Provide a copy of the fringe benefit rate and institutional guidelines;

(5) Materials and Services: Provide a consolidated priced summary of individual material quantities included in the various tasks, orders, or contact line items being proposed and the basis for pricing (vendor quotes, invoice prices, etc.). Include raw materials, parts, components, assemblies, and services to be produced or performed by others. For all items proposed, identify the item and show the source, quantity, price, and extent of competition;

(6) Royalties. If royalties exceed $1,500, you must provide the following information on a separate page for each separate royalty or license fee: Name and address of licensor.; Date of license agreement; Patent numbers; Patent application serial numbers, or other basis on which the royalty is payable; Brief mailto:egy8@cdc.gov� description (including any part or model numbers of each contract item or component on which the royalty is payable); Percentage or dollar rate of royalty per unit; Unit price of contract item; Number of units; Total dollar amount of royalties; If specifically requested by the Contracting Officer, a copy of the current license agreement and identification of applicable claims of specific patents (see FAR 27.202 and 31.205-37);

(7) Facilities Capital Cost of Money: When you elect to claim facilities capital cost of money as an allowable cost, you must submit Form CASB-CMF and show the calculation of the proposed amount (see

FAR 31.205-10).

(8) Costs Associated with performing work in an overseas location: These costs, if applicable, may include any costs associated with being able to legally perform services in a foreign country.

L.2 Technical Proposal Criteria for Task Order

(a) Proposals which merely offer to conduct a program in accordance with the requirements listed in Sections C.3, will not be eligible for award. The technical proposal should be in as much detail as you consider necessary (within the 10 page limitation) to reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken.

(b) The technical proposal is limited to 10 pages with double spacing (excluding any cover page, table of contents and appendices which may include CVs, Staff Time Percentage Information, Management Schedule, and Letters of Commitment). Any pages beyond the 10 pages will be ignored in the evaluation process.

(c) The technical proposal shall be comprised of the following elements:

(1) Cover Page (including contract number and name of offeror)

(2) Executive Summary

(3) Concise Presentation of each of the Technical Evaluation Criteria for the Task Order:

(i) Past Experience (20 points)

(ii) Understanding of the Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach (45 points)

(iii) Management Approach and Experience of Key Personnel (35 points)

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the technical proposals.

A. Previous Experience – 20 points The Contractor shall provide a clear and succinct demonstration of previous experience (within the past 5 years) in providing tehnical advice/assistance and medical advice/assistance in HIV support services, Management counsulting and program management, and laboratory support services for USG organizations in Vietnam. Ideally these activities will have dealt with HIV/AIDS and behavioral health interventions in resource constrained settings.

B. Understanding of Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach – 45 points

(1) The Offeror describe in a clear and succinct statement the problem, scope, purpose, and objectives of this task order in the Offeror’s own words to clearly demonstrate an understanding of the intent and requirements of the task order and any potential challenges which may be encountered in completing the tasks.

(2) The Offeror shall describe in detail the proposed methodology/technical approach for complying with each of the requirements specified in the Performance Work Statement, including phases of tasks, methods to be utilized, number of persons to be employed, person-hours for key personnel, and scheduling of time and resources (for site-visits and deliverables, etc.).

C. Management Approach and Experience of Key Personnel – 35 points

(1) The Offeror shall provide an Organizational Chart of the management of critical events for this task order, including a clear delineation of staff authorities and lines of responsibility, with special emphasis on relationships http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/27.htm#P53_7033� http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/31.htm#P827_150548� http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/31.htm#P462_89099� with any subcontractors, other contractors, and CDC service organizations. The offeror shall also state the location of the Offeror’s offices and staff currently located in the participating countries and/or in regional offices in Vietnam.

(2) The offeror shall describe a clear and succinct demonstration of their processes and ability to recruit, hire and retain qualified staff to ensure continuity of operations.

Minimum Personnel Qualifications/Requirements

Services Title Minimum Personnel Qualifications/Requirements

C.3.1 HIV SUPPORT

SERVICES

Medical Advisor: Doctor of Medicine degree and subsequent clinical training; and an advanced degree (MPH or PHD) in public health science and/or public health practice, preferably from a non-US university; and hands-on experience working with community research programs; plus a minimum of 5 years experience working with the Government of Vietnam or other Vietnamese institution involved with public health practices such as community research and program design, implementation and evaluation. Minimum of five years of experience working with HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. Post-doctoral training in epidemiology is desirable; detailed knowledge of the Vietnamese local healthcare system, intimate familiarity with the MoH and provincial health departments; Fluency in both Vietnamese and English. Must be able to translate and interpret complex medical and technical terminology from English to Vietnamese and vice-versa

Technical advisor: Bachelors degree in a Health-related field; Masters degree in Public Health or equivalent and at least 3 years experience in monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs;

experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and experience working with government programs.

C.3.2 OPERATIONS AND

MANAGEMENT

SUPPORT SERVICES

Education and experience in the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS; clear understanding of the federal grants and budget processes and cycles;

masters degree in public health, social sciences or public administration, with 2 years’ post graduate work in public health or public programs;

international experience a plus.

C.3.3 LABORATORY

SUPPORT SERVICES

Masters degree in laboratory sciences or related field; minimum 3 years experience working with laboratory information systems or data management solutions; preferred experience with laboratory safety standards; clear understanding of the federal grants process.

M. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 Evaluation Factors

Evaluation criteria consist of factors and sub factors. The proposals will be evaluated under two

(2) Evaluation factors: Technical and Price.

M.2 Source Selection-Relationship between Cost or Price and Technical Strength

Offerors are advised that in proposal evaluation paramount consideration shall be given to technical proposals rather than to cost or price unless, as a result of technical evaluations, proposals are judged to be essentially equal, in which case cost or price shall become the determining factor. Furthermore, cost/price will be evaluated on the basis of cost reasonableness and cost realism analysis, as stated in Section M.7.

One award will be made to the responsible offeror submitting the proposals (Technical and Business) determined to be the most advantageous and the best value to the Government as evaluated under the criteria described in this Section.

In addition to a cost/price analysis of each offeror’s Business proposal, the proposal evaluation shall consist of a review of the following technical and other non-cost factors:

In evaluating proposals for award, the Government will perform a "best value" analysis, making award to the offeror whose integrated proposal (technical proposal and price proposal) offers the highest technical merit at the best overall value to the Government. While price is not expected to be the controlling factor in the selection of the successful offeror, the degree of importance of price as a factor could become greater depending upon the degree of equality of the proposals and other factors evaluated. Where competing proposals are determined to be substantially equal, price may become a controlling factor.

M.3 Evaluation and Proposal Point-Breakdown

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Technical proposal Sub-Factors and Points Points

(1) Previous Experience 20

(2) Understanding of Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach 45

(3) Management Approach and Experience of Key Personnel 35

Technical Proposal Total Possible Points 100

M.4 Evaluation of Technical Proposal

A proposal that has no weaknesses and no particular strengths above and beyond meeting the basic requirements defined in this task order for a particular evaluation criteria element will receive less than the full credit available on that element. To achieve the full credit for an element, the proposal must go well beyond the requirement by offering exceptionally innovative or particularly well-thought-out or insightful methods or procedures. The technical evaluation will consist of a review of the following technical evaluation criteria and weighted point distribution:

Previous Experience (20 points) This portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to how well qualified and experienced the offeror is, as an organization, to respond to each of the technical areas identified in the task order.

The Offeror shall describe his/her previous experience (within the past 5 years) in international settings for each type of service outlined in the Performance Work Statement (Section C3). This includes the location and nature of work, project start date and end dates, dollar amount of contract/task order/cooperative-agreement/grant, etc., and how the work was relevant to the task order requirements.

This portion of the proposal will be evaluated for a clear and succinct demonstration of how recent and relevant the offeror’s past experience compares to the technical requirements stated in this task order.

Understanding of Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach (45 Points) This portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to how well the proposal demonstrates the offeror’s overall understanding of the need, purpose, and requirements of the task order. Proposals that regurgitate the information provided in this request for task order proposal will receive much less than the full credit available for this criterion.

A significant emphasis will be placed on the offeror’s understanding of the sensitive nature of the services requested; local norms, customs, and context in which the work has been/is conducted; consideration of the materials provided, if any.

In addition, this portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to the soundness, practicality, and feasibility of the offeror’s approach for accomplishing, within the given timeframes, all activities and deliverables stated in Section C of this task order. This should include the offeror’s identification of technical methods to be utilized (to technically conduct, distribute, oversee, review, and assure the quality of all work),the number of persons to be employed, person-hours for key personnel, scheduling of time and resources (for site-visits and deliverables, etc.), and any anticipated major difficulties and problem areas as well as proposed solutions.

Management Approach and Experience of Key Personnel (35 points)

This portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to how well qualified and…