75N93022R00015 with attachments Final TBQA.pdf

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SOLICITATION

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

1. Requ or other Purchase Authority: Public Law 81-692, as amended

2. Request for Proposal (RFP) Number:

75N93022R00015

3. Issue Date:

August 31, 2022

4. Set Aside:

[X] No

[ ] Yes See Part IV Section L

5. Title : Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Quality Assessment Program (TBQA)

6. ISSUED BY:

Office of Acquisitions Office of Acquisitions (OA) Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 5601 Fishers Lane, Room 3D10, MSC 9821 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9821

7. SUBMIT OFFERS TO:

See Part III, Section J, "Packaging and Delivery of the Proposal," ATTACHMENT 1 of this Solicitation.

8. Proposals for furnishing the supplies and/or services in THE SCHEDULE will be received at the place specified in, and in the number of copies specified in Attachment 1, "Packaging and Delivery of the Proposal," until 3:00 PM local time on November 30, 2022. Offers will be valid for 120 days unless a different period is specified by the offeror on the Attachment entitled, "Proposal Summary and Data Record, NIH 2043.

9. This solicitation requires delivery of proposals as stated in ATTACHMENT 1, "PACKAGING AND DELIVERY OF THE PROPOSAL." If proposals are required to be delivered to two different locations, the OFFICIAL POINT OF RECEIPT for determining TIMELY DELIVERY is the address provided for the OFFICE OF ACQUISITIONS.

IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER OR HIS DESIGNEE AT THE PLACE AND TIME SPECIFIED FOR THE OFFICE OF ACQUISITIONS, THEN IT WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE AND HANDLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH subparagraph (c)(3) of FAR Clause 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors--Competitive Acquisition," LOCATED IN SECTION L.1. OF THIS SOLICITATION.

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1. Requ or other Purchase Authority: Public Law 81-692, as amended

10. Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award of a contract. Offerors must access the CCR through The System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

11. FOR INFORMATION CALL: Isaac Elliott

PHONE: 301-761-7447

e-MAIL: isaac.elliott@nih.gov

COLLECT CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

We strongly suggest that any questions regarding the solicitation be submitted by 3:00 PM local, on October 30, 2022, so that we can provide timely responses before proposals are due.

Isaac Elliott Contract Specialist Office of Acquisitions

DEA, NIAID, NIH, DHHS

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

RFP Number : 75N93022R00015

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RFP TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

SOLICITATION ATTACHMENTS

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS

BUSINESS PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS

INFORMATIONAL ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION

b. NAICS CODE AND SIZE STANDARD

c. TYPE OF CONTRACT AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

d. LEVEL OF EFFORT

e. COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

f. PROMOTING EFFICIENT SPENDING

g. COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD

h. RELEASE OF INFORMATION

i. PREPARATION COSTS

j. SERVICE OF PROTEST

2. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

a. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Contract Type and General Clauses

2. Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal

3. Proposal Summary and Data Record (NIH-2043)

4. Separation of Technical and Business Proposals

5. Alternate Proposals

6. Evaluation of Proposals

7. Potential Award Without Discussions

8. Use of the Metric System of Measurement

9. Privacy Act - Treatment of Proposal Information

10. Selection of Offerors

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11. Institutional Responsibility Regarding Investigator Conflicts of Interest

12. ROTC Access and Federal Military Recruiting on Campus

13. CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020)

14. Past Performance Information

15. Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

b. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Technical Discussions

2. Other Considerations

3. Technical Evaluation

4. Possession, Use and Transfer of Select Biological Agents or Toxins

5. Obtaining and Disseminating Biomedical Research Resources

c. BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Basic Cost/Price Information

2. Proposal Cover Sheet

3. Information Other than Cost or Pricing Data

4. Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information Other than Cost and Pricing Data

5. Salary Rate Limitation

6. Small Business Subcontracting Plan

7. Mentor Protege Program, HHSAR 352.219-70

8. HUBZone Small Business Concerns

9. Total Compensation Plan

10. Other Administrative Data

11. Qualifications of the Offeror

12. Subcontractors

13. Proposer's Annual Financial Report

14. Travel Costs/Travel Policy

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

1. GENERAL

2. COST/PRICE EVALUATION

3. EVALUATION OF OPTIONS

4. EVALUATION OF DATA SHARING PLAN

5. TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS

6. EVALUATION OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY- SECTION

7. PAST PERFORMANCE FACTOR

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PART I - THE SCHEDULE

THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM, HEREIN CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANY OFFEROR INTERESTED IN RESPONDING TO THIS SOLICITATION.

ANY CONTRACT RESULTING FROM THIS SOLICITATION WILL INCLUDE IN ITS SECTION A - SOLICITATION/ CONTRACT FORM, ACCOUNTING, APPROPRIATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE

CONTRACT AWARD.

THE CONTRACT SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN SECTIONS B THROUGH H, HEREIN, CONTAINS CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THIS SOLICITATION. IT IS NOT AN EXACT REPRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF THIS SOLICITATION. THE CONTRACT COST OR PRICE AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS PERTINENT TO THE OFFEROR (i.e., those relating to the organizational structure [e.g., Non-Profit, Commercial] and specific cost authorizations unique to the Offeror's proposal and requiring Contracting Officer Prior Approval) WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RESULTANT CONTRACT. THE ENCLOSED CONTRACT SCHEDULE IS

INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE OFFEROR WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE RESULTANT CONTRACT.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

ARTICLE B.1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

The purpose of the proposed contract is to provide a resource to: (1) support the ability of laboratories (Labs) to reliably perform study-specified MTB tests; (2) evaluate MTB technologies and specimen processes for use in clinical investigations; and (3) disseminate technical and scientific data. This contract also includes Options to increase level of effort in support of: (1) unanticipated increases in demand related to support of additional Labs; (2) performance of late-stage assay validation and/or MTB assay testing of clinical samples in a CLIA-certified laboratory; and (3) public health emergency needs.

ARTICLE B.2. ESTIMATED COST - OPTION

a. The estimated cost of the Base Period of this contract is $ .

b. The fixed fee for the Base Period of this contract is $ . The fixed fee shall be paid in direct ratio to the level of effort expended; that is, the percent of fee paid shall be equal to the percent of total effort expended. Payment shall be subject to the withholding provisions of the clauses ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT and FIXED FEE referenced in the General Clause Listing in Part II, ARTICLE I.1. of this contract.

c. The total estimated amount of the contract, represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee for the Base Period is $ .

d. If the Government exercises its option pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in SECTION H of this contract, the Government's total estimated contract amount represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee will be increased as follows:

Estimated Cost

Fixed Fee

Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

Base Period

Option Period(s):

Total

[Base Period and Option(s)]

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ARTICLE B.3. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS

This article will prohibit or restrict the use of contract funds, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer. The following is a list of items that may be included in the resultant contract as applicable. 1) Conferences & Meetings, 2) Food for Meals, Light Refreshments & Beverages, 3) Promotional Items, 4) Acquisition, by purchase or lease, of any interest in real property; 5) Special rearrangement or alteration of facilities; 6) Purchase or lease of any item of general purpose office furniture or office equipment regardless of dollar value; 7) Travel Costs including Foreign Travel; 8) Consultant Costs; 9) Subcontract Costs; 10) Patient Care Costs; 11) Accountable Government Property; 12) Printing costs; and 13) Research Funding.

ARTICLE B.4. ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS

Specific elements of cost, which normally require prior written approval of the Contracting Officer before incurrence of the cost (e.g., foreign travel, consultant fees, subcontracts) will be included in this Article if the Contracting Officer has granted his/her approval prior to contract award.

a. Protection of Proprietary Data:

Materials, data and other information supplied by third-party providers or laboratories under this contract or the COR, including information concerning third party materials, shall be assumed to be confidential unless (a) specifically identified as not confidential in writing by the COR: (b) is within the public domain before its receipt by the Contractor or thereafter becomes within the public domain other than as a result of disclosure by the Contractor; (c) is in the possession of the Contractor before its receipt by the Contractor; (d) is acquired by the Contractor from a third party not under an obligation of confidentiality; (e) is hereafter independently developed by the Contractor, without reference to the supplied information; or (f) the COR or the third party expressly authorizes the Contractor to disclose. Materials supplied by third-party providers or laboratories under this Contract will not be further distributed to others without the COR's or the third party's written consent.

b. Invoice – Cost and Personnel Reporting and Variances from the Negotiated Budget

1. The Contractor agrees to provide a detailed breakdown on invoices of the following cost categories:

a. Direct Labor – List individuals by name, title/position, hourly/annual rate, level of effort, and amount claimed.

b. Fringe Benefits – Cite rate and amount.

c. Overhead – Cite rate and amount.

d. Materials and Supplies – Include detailed breakdown when total amount is over $1,000.

e. Travel – Identify travelers, dates, destination, purpose of trip, and amount. Cite Contracting Officer’s Authorization (COA), if appropriate. List separately, domestic travel, general scientific meeting travel, and foreign travel.

f. Consultant Fees – Identify individuals and amounts.

g. Subcontracts – Attach subcontractor invoice(s).

h. Equipment – Cite authorization and amount.

i. Other Direct Costs – Include detailed breakdown when total amount is over $1,000.

j. G&A – Cite rate and amount.

k. Total Cost.

l. Profit/Fee/

m. Total Cost Plus Fixed Fee.

Monthly invoices must include the cumulative total expenses to date, adjusted (as applicable) to show any amounts suspended by the Government

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2. The Contractor agrees to immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing if there is an anticipated overrun (any amount) of unexpended balance (greater than 10 percent) of the amount allotted to the contract, and the reasons for the variance. Also refer to the requirements of the Limitation of Funds and Limitation of Cost clauses in the contract.

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SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

ARTICLE C.1. STATEMENT OF WORK

a. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall be required to furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the Statement of Work, dated June 6, 2022, attached hereto and made a part of this Solicitation (See SECTION J - List of Attachments).

ARTICLE C.2. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All reports required herein must be submitted in electronic format. All electronic contract deliverables must be submitted via the NIAID electronic Report Deliverable Submission (eRDS) Site, available at the following website: https://erds.niaid.nih.gov/ . All electronic reports submitted must be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additional information about testing documents for Section 508 compliance, including guidance and specific checklists, by application, can be found at https://www.hhs.gov/ web/section-508/index.html and at: https://www.section508.gov/create/ documents , "Accessibility @ HHS."

a. Technical Progress Reports

In addition to the required reports set forth elsewhere in this Schedule, the preparation and submission of regularly recurring Technical Progress Reports will be required in any contract resulting from this solicitation. These reports will require descriptive information about the activities undertaken during the reporting period and will require information about planned activities for future reporting periods. The frequency and specific content of these reports will be determined prior to contract award. [Note: Beginning May 25, 2008, the Contractor shall include the applicable PubMed Central or NIH Manuscript Submission reference number when citing publications that arise from its NIH funded research.]

For proposal preparation purposes only, it is estimated that in addition to the required electronic version(s) 0 hard copies of these reports will be required as follows:

1. Tri-annual Progress Report

a. This report shall include a description of the activities during the reporting period] and the activities planned for the ensuing reporting period. The first reporting period consists of the first full four months of performance including any fractional part of the initial month and shall be due on the 30th of the month following the reporting period. Thereafter, the reporting period shall consist of four full calendar months.

The Contractor shall submit the following required information within the Tri-annual Progress Report:

1. summary and highlights of activities related to review of Labs ability to perform MTB assays

2. summary of assistance and training activities, including visits to Labs

3. summary of activities and results related to method evaluation studies

4. summary of activities related to acquisition and characterization of quality control materials https://erds.niaid.nih.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html https://www.section508.gov/create/documents https://www.section508.gov/create/documents

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5. summary of subcontract activities, if applicable

6. summary of meetings, teleconferences and discussions with the COR, User Groups and Lab personnel regarding issues relevant to the conduct of the contracted work

7. summary of facilities/equipment issues and updates

8. personnel report, which shall include the name, title, percent effort and responsibility of each individual who is working on the contract and a summary of personnel changes occurring during the reporting interval

A Tri-annual Progress Report shall not be submitted when the Final Report is due.

2. Final Report

This report shall consist of the work performed and results obtained for the entire contract period of performance as stated in SECTION F of this contract. This report shall be in sufficient detail to describe comprehensively the results achieved. The Final Report shall be submitted on or before the last day of the contract performance period. A Tri-annual Progress Report will not be required for the period when the Final Report is due.

3. Summary of Salient Results

The Contractor will be required to prepare and submit, with the final report, a summary (not to exceed 200 words) of salient results achieved during the performance of the contract. This report will be required on or before the expiration date of the contract.

Reporting on Select Agents or Toxins and/or Highly Pathogenic Agents

For work involving the possession, use, or transfer of a Select Agent or Toxin and/or a Highly Pathogenic Agent, the following information shall also be included in each Tri-annual Progress Report:

1. Any changes in the use of the Select Agent or Toxin including initiation of "restricted experiments," and/or a Highly Pathogenic Agent, that have resulted in a change in the required biocontainment level, and any resultant change in location, if applicable, as determined by the IBC or equivalent body or institutional biosafety official.

2. If work with a new or additional Select Agent or Toxin and/or a Highly Pathogenic Agent will be conducted in the upcoming reporting period, provide:

a. A list of each new or additional Select Agent or Toxin and/or a Highly Pathogenic Agent that will be studied;

b. A brief description of the work that will be done with each new or additional Select Agent or Toxin and/or a Highly Pathogenic Agent and whether or not the work is a Select Agent or Toxin restricted experiment as defined in the Select Agents Regulation 42 CFR Part 73, Section 13.b https://www.selectagents.gov/ regulations/index.htm) or listed on the U.S. National Select Agents Registry restricted experiments website ( https://www.selectagents.gov/compliance/guidance/restricted/index.htm);

c. The name and location for each biocontainment resource/facility, including the name of the organization that operates the facility, and the biocontainment level at which the work will be conducted, with documentation of approval by your IBC or equivalent body or institutional biosafety official. It must be noted if the work is being done in a new location or different location.

d. For work with Select Agents performed in the U.S. provide documentation of registration status of all domestic organizations where Select Agent(s) will be used. For work with Select Agents performed in a non-U.S. country prior NIAID approval is required.

https://www.selectagents.gov/regulations/index.htm https://www.selectagents.gov/regulations/index.htm https://www.selectagents.gov/compliance/guidance/restricted/index.htm

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If the IBC or equivalent body or institutional biosafety official has determined, for example, by conducting a risk assessment, that the work that has been performed or is planned to be performed under this contract may be conducted at a biocontainment safety level that is lower than BSL3, a statement to that affect shall be included in each Tri-annualProgress Report.

If no work involving a Select Agent or Toxin and/or a Highly Pathogenic Agent has been performed or is planned to be performed under this contract, a statement to that affect shall be included in each Tri-annual Progress Report.

b. Other Reports/Deliverables

1. Reporting of Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)

All reports and documentation required by 45 CFR Part 94, Responsible Prospective Contractors including, but not limited to, the New FCOI Report, Annual FCOI Report, Revised FCOI Report, and the Mitigation Report, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer in Electronic format. Thereafter, reports shall be due in accordance with the regulatory compliance requirements in 45 CFR Part 94.

45 CFR Part 94 is available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-94. See Part 94.5, Responsibilities of Institutions regarding Investigator financial conflicts of interest for complete information on reporting requirements.

(Reference the INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING INVESTIGATOR FINANCIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Article in SECTION H of this contract.)

2. Section 508 Annual Report

The Contractor must submit an annual Section 508 report in accordance with the schedule set forth by the Contracting Officer (CO)/Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Section 508 Report Template and Instructions for completing the report are available at: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/ default/files/web/508/contracting/technology/section_508_annual_report.doc.

3. Other Reports and Deliverables Required by the Contract and Statement of Work

In addition to the above reports, the following are considered other reports and deliverables under this contract and are identified in the contract or Statement of Work. A listing of these reports will be included in ARTICLE C.2., Reporting Requirements, of any resultant contract, as follows:

Item Deliverable Contract/SOW Reference

Recipient Delivery Schedule

1. Draft Initial Transition Plan

SOW Section 3.H.1.b Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 15 calendar days following the effective date of the contract

2. Final Initial Transition Plan

SOW Section 3.H.1.b Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 20 calendar days following the effetive date of the contract

3. Annual Utilization Report

See Article C.3. of the RFP

Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due on/before the

30th of the month following each anniversary date of the contract https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-94 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/web/508/contracting/technology/section_508_annual_report.doc https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/web/508/contracting/technology/section_508_annual_report.doc

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Item Deliverable Contract/SOW Reference

Recipient Delivery Schedule

4. Lab-specific PT Evaluation Report

SOW Section 3.A.1.c.6

Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 5 business days of obtaining performane grading

5. PT Cumulative Performance Report

SOW Section 3.A.1.c.7

Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

After each round of

PT

6. Lab Visit Report SOW Section 3.A.4.c Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 10 business days of visit completion

7. Training Materials SOW Section 3.A.4.d.

Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 3 business days prior to presentation

8. Method Evaluation Report

SOW Section 3.B.1.d.7

Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 15 business days of completing data analysis of each evaluation study

9. Method Evaluation Manuscript Materials

SOW Section 3.D.1 Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 3 months after the conlcusion of each evaluation

10. Presentations and Training Materials

SOW Section 3.D.2 Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due within 3 business days prior to the presentation

11. Draft Final Transition Plan

SOW Section 3.H.2.a Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due 6 months prior to the expiration date of the contract

12. Final Transition Plan SOW Section 3.H.2.b Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due 4 months prior to the expiration date of the contract

13. Section 508 Compliant Report

See Article C.2. of the RFP

Submitted via NIAID eRDS to COR and

CO

Due annually on the anniversary date of the contract

14. All contract Related Materials, Government Owned Equipment & Property, etc.

SOW Seection 3.J To a successor contractor or to the Government, as directed by the COR and CO

Due on or before the expiration date of the contract

ARTICLE C.3. INVENTION REPORTING REQUIREMENT

All reports and documentation required by FAR Clause 52.227-11, Patent Rights-Ownership by the Contractor including, but not limited to, the invention disclosure report, the confirmatory license, and the Government support certification, shall be directed to the Division of Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources (DEITR), OPERA, OER, NIH, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, MSC 7980, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7980 (Telephone: 301-435-1986). In addition, one copy of an annual utilization report, and a copy of the final invention statement, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer. The final invention statement (see FAR 27.303(b)(2)(ii)) shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer on the expiration date of the contract.

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The first annual utilization report shall be due on or before November 30, 2023. Thereafter, reports shall be due on or before the 30 Calendar day following the reporting period.] The final invention statement (see FAR 27.303(b)(2)(ii)) shall be submitted on the expiration date of the contract. All reports shall be sent to the following address:

Contracting Officer Office of Acquisition, DEA National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services 5601 Fishers Lane, Room 3D10 Bethesda, Maryland 20892- 9821

If no invention is disclosed or no activity has occurred on a previously disclosed invention during the applicable reporting period, a negative report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer at the address listed above.

To assist contractors in complying with invention reporting requirements of the clause, the NIH has developed "Interagency Edison," an electronic invention reporting system. Use of Interagency Edison is required as it streamlines the reporting process and greatly reduces paperwork. Access to the system is through a secure interactive Web site to ensure that all information submitted is protected. Interagency Edison and information relating to the capabilities of the system can be obtained from the Web ( http://www.iedison.gov), or by contacting the Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources Branch, OPERA, NIH.

http://www.iedison.gov

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SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

Quality Control Materials (QCMs) that may be used for creating proficiency testing panels and/or for the purposes of assay evaluation studies are considered Category A (Mtb isolates) or Category B infectious substances (e.g., sputum, blood, urine, saliva, PBMCs). Packaging, marking, and shipping of all specimens should be done according to local and national regulations, and in accordance with IATA shipping regulations. Category A infectious substances are classified under UN2814 and IATA 3.6.2.2.2.1 and must comply with IATA packing instructions 620. Category B infectious substances are classified under UN3373 and IATA 3.6.2.2.2.2 and must comply with IATA packaging instructions 650.

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SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a. The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided.

b. For the purpose of this SECTION, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer.

c. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

Laboratory Clinical Sciences Branch Treatment Research Program Division of AIDS National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services 5601 Fishers Lane Bethesda, Maryland 20892

Acceptance may be presumed unless otherwise indicated in writing by the Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative within 30 days of receipt.

d. This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available.

FAR Clause 52.246-8, Inspection of Research and Development - Cost-Reimbursement (May 2001).

Alternate I (April 1984) is not applicable to this contract.

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SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

ARTICLE F.1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

a. The period of performance of this contract shall be from October 16, 2023 through October 15, 2024.

b. If the Government exercises its option(s) pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in Section H of this contract, the period of performance will be increased as listed below:

Option Option Period Option 1 (Contract Year 2) October 16, 2024 – October 15, 2025 Option 2 (Contract Year 3) October 16, 2025 – October 15, 2026 Option 3 (Contract Year 4) October 16, 2026 – October 15, 2027 Option 4 (Contract Year 5) October 16, 2027 – October 15, 2028

Option 5 (Contract Year 6) October 16, 2028 – October 15, 2029 Option 6 (Contract Year 7) October 16, 2029 – October 15, 2030

ARTICLE F.2. LEVEL OF EFFORT

a. During the period of performance of this contract, the Contractor shall provide direct labor Hours . The labor Hours Include vacation, holiday, and sick leave. These labor Hours Include subcontractor labor Hours .

It is estimated that the labor Hours are constituted as specified below and will be expended approximately as follows:

Labor [HOURS, MONTHS, YEARS]

Labor Category

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7

Professional Other Professional Support

Totals

b. The Contractor shall have satisfied the requirement herein if not less than 90% nor more than 110% of the total direct labor Hours specified herein are furnished. These terms and conditions do not supersede the requirements of either the "Limitation of Cost" or "Limitation of Funds" clause.

ARTICLE F.3. CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, FAR 52.252-2 (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clause(s) by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSE:

52.242-15, Stop Work Order (August 1989)

Alternate I (April 1984) is applicable to this contract.

52.247-35, F.o.b. Destination Within Consignees Premises (April 1984).

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar

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SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

ARTICLE G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The following Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

To be specified prior to 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 alternate COR is responsible for carrying out the duties of the COR only in the event that the COR can no longer perform his/her duties as assigned.

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; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. Any signed agreement shall be incorporated by reference in Section K of the contract

The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation.

ARTICLE G.2. KEY PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (December 2015)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to the contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement's skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract (including, when applicable, Human Subjects Testing requirements). If the employee of the contractor is terminated for cause or separates from the contractor voluntarily with less than thirty days notice, the Contractor shall provide the maximum notice practicable under the circumstances. The Contractor shall not divert, replace, or announce any such change to key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The contract will be modified to add or delete key personnel as necessary to reflect the agreement of the parties.

(End of Clause)

The following individual(s) is/are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder:

Name Title

To be specified prior to award

ARTICLE G.3. INVOICE SUBMISSION/CONTRACT FINANCING REQUEST AND CONTRACT

FINANCIAL REPORT

a. Invoice Submission/Contract Financing Request and Contract Financial Reporting, NIH(RC)-4for NIH Cost- Reimbursement Type Contracts are attached and made part of this contract. The Contractor shall follow the attached instructions and submission procedures specified below to meet the requirements of a "proper invoice" pursuant to FAR Subpart 32.9, Prompt Payment.

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1. The Contractor shall submit invoice to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Office of Financial Management (OFM) via email at invoicing@nih.gov with a copy to the approving official, as directed below. The Contractor must follow step-by-step instructions as stated in the NIH/OFM Electronic Invoicing Instructions for NIH Contractors/Vendors , which is included as an attachment in Section J of this contract. The invoice shall be transmitted as an attachment via email to the address listed above in one of the following formats: Word, or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The Contractor must submit only one invoice per email. Do not submit supporting documentation (e.g., receipts, time sheets, vendor invoices, etc.) with your invoice unless specified elsewhere in the contract or requested by the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the electronic invoice to the following Approving Official (Contracting Officer) and Contracting Officer Representative:

Approving Official: Contracting Officer

Name- to be determined Email Address-

Contracting Officer Representative

Name- to be determined Email Address-

For inquiries regarding the status of invoices, contact OFM Customer Service via email at ofm_customer_service@incontactemail.com or via phone at 301-496-6088. To send your inquiries via other available communication methods refer to the OFM Customer Service website at https:// ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Customer-Service.aspx .

Note: The OFM Customer Service is open Eastern Standard Time Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is closed between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

2. In addition to the requirements specified in FAR 32.905 for a proper invoice, the Contractor shall include the following information on the face page of all payment requests:

a. Name of the Office of Acquisitions. The Office of Acquisitions for this contract is National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) .

b. Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If the Contractor does not have a valid TIN, it shall identify the Vendor Identification Number (VIN) on the payment request. The VIN is the number that appears after the Contractor's name on the face page of the contract. [Note: A VIN is assigned to new contracts awarded on or after June 4, 2007, and any existing contract modified to include the VIN number.] If the Contractor has neither a TIN, DUNS, or VIN, contact the Contracting Officer.

c. DUNS or DUNS+4 Number. The DUNS number must identify the Contractor's name and address exactly as stated in the contract and as registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. If the Contractor does not have a valid DUNS number, it shall identify the Vendor Identification Number (VIN) on the payment request. The VIN is the number that appears after the Contractor's name on the face page of the contract. [Note: A VIN is assigned to new contracts awarded on or after June 4, 2007, and any existing contract modified to include the VIN number.] If the Contractor has neither a TIN, DUNS, or VIN, contact the Contracting Officer. Note: The Contractor shall not include TIN if it is a Social Security Number.

d. Invoice Matching Option. This contract requires a two-way match.

e. Unique Invoice Number. Each payment request must be identified by a unique invoice number, which can only be used one time regardless of the number of contracts or orders held by an organization.

https://ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Home.aspx https://ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Home.aspx mailto:invoicing@nih.gov https://oamp.od.nih.gov/DGS/DGS-workform-information/attachment-files https://oamp.od.nih.gov/DGS/DGS-workform-information/attachment-files mailto:OFM%20Customer%20Service mailto:ofm_customer_service@incontactemail.com https://ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Customer-Service.aspx https://ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Customer-Service.aspx

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f. The Contract Title is:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Quality Assessment Program (TBQA)

g. Contract Line Items as follows:

Line Item # Line Item Description

b. Inquiries regarding payment of invoices shall be directed to the designated billing office, (301) 496-6452.

c. The Contractor shall include the following certification on every invoice for reimbursable costs incurred with Fiscal Year funds subject to HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation in SECTION I of this contract.

For billing purposes, certified invoices are required for the billing period during which the applicable Fiscal Year funds were initially charged through the final billing period utilizing the applicable Fiscal Year funds:

"I hereby certify that the salaries charged in this invoice are in compliance with HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation in SECTION I of the above referenced contract."

ARTICLE G.4. PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS, FAR 52.232-40 (Nov 2021)

a. Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

b. The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the prompt Payment Act.

c. Include the substance of this clause, include this paragraph c, in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items.

(End of Clause)

ARTICLE G.5. INDIRECT COST RATES

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) Clause 52.216-7 (d)(2), Allowable Cost and Payment incorporated by reference in this contract in PART II, SECTION I, the cognizant Contracting Officer Representative responsible for negotiating provisional and/or final indirect cost rates is identified as follows:

Director, Division of Financial Advisory Services Office of Acquisition Management and Policy National Institutes of Health

6011 EXECUTIVE BLVD, ROOM 549C, MSC-7663

BETHESDA MD 20892-7663

These rates are hereby incorporated without further action of the Contracting Officer. Go to the Indirect Cost Submission web page: https://oamp.od.nih.gov/division-of-financial-advisory-services/indirect-cost-branch/indirect-cost-submission for electronic copies of the Branch's information package documents.

https://oamp.od.nih.gov/division-of-financial-advisory-services/indirect-cost-branch/indirect-cost-submission https://oamp.od.nih.gov/division-of-financial-advisory-services/indirect-cost-branch/indirect-cost-submission

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ARTICLE G.6. POST AWARD EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

a. Contractor Performance Evaluations

Interim and Final evaluations of Contractor performance will be prepared on this contract in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.15. The Final performance evaluation will be prepared at the time of completion of work. In addition to the Final evaluation, Interim evaluation(s) will be prepared Annually as follows on October 16th.

Interim and Final evaluations will be provided to the Contractor as soon as practicable after completion of the evaluation. The Contractor will be permitted thirty days to review the document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement. If agreement cannot be reached between the parties, the matter will be referred to an individual one level above the Contracting Officer, whose decision will be final.

Copies of the evaluations, Contractor responses, and review comments, if any, will be retained as part of the contract file, and may be used to support future award decisions.

b. Electronic Access to Contractor Performance Evaluations

Contractors may access evaluations through a secure Web site for review and comment at the following address:

https://www.cpars.gov

ARTICLE G.7. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

If this RFP will result in the acquisition or use of Government Property provided by the contracting agency or if the Contracting Officer authorizes in the preaward negotiation process, the acquisition of property (other than real property), this ARTICLE Q, will include applicable provisions and incorporate the HHS Publication, entitled, "HHS Contracting Guide for Contract of Government Property," which can be found at: https://web.archive.org/ web/20111015044731/http:/www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/ https://www.cpars.gov https://web.archive.org/web/20111015044731/http:/www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/ https://web.archive.org/web/20111015044731/http:/www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/

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SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

ARTICLE H.1. HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is hereby understood and agreed that research involving human subjects shall not be conducted under this contract, and that no material developed, modified, or delivered by or to the Government under this contract, or any subsequent modification of such material, will be used by the Contractor or made available by the Contractor for use by anyone other than the Government, for experimental or therapeutic use involving humans without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

ARTICLE H.2. CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID - 19) - ONSITE CONTRACTORS

RETURN TO PHYSICAL WORKSPACE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - NIH policy may allow for voluntary or mandatory COVID-19 testing for contractor personnel. Contractor personnel who test positive for COVID-19 or who do not wish to submit to mandatory COVID-19 testing will not have access to or be permitted to work in NIH [ICs] until they have satisfied the access requirements in the NIH policy. A contractor personnel's decision to opt out of mandatory COVID-19 testing will not automatically constitute grounds for any performance delays or establish any government liability for additional costs.

The Contracting Officer may determine that an excusable delay is appropriate under applicable FAR clauses (e.g., 52.242-14 (Suspension of Work), 52.242-15 (Stop-work Order), 52.249-14 (Excusable Delays), and 52.212-4(f) (Excusable Delays)) in cases where a positive test result is recorded and contract personnel must be quarantined due to an exposure to COVID-19. However, cases where a positive test result is recorded will not establish any government liability for additional costs.

Contractors shall ensure compliance with all Federal, HHS, NIH and individual IC COVID-19 policies related to health and safety, including relevant Codes of Conduct and reporting requirements applicable to contractor personnel. The Contractor shall discuss the Code of Conduct with contractor personnel, retain signed Codes of Conduct, and confirm their signature with the Contracting Officer. Reporting requirements include: 1) Ensure open reporting of safety and health related concerns; 2) Ensure staff understand reporting of COVID-like symptoms to contract supervisors, if they have had a high-risk exposure to someone with COVID disease, or if they have tested positive for COVID-19, and that staff do not report to the workplace with symptoms or if they have tested positive for COVID-19; 3) Ensure staff are complying with the return to work plans, policies and reporting requirements and enforcing these requirements when necessary; and 4) Ensure contract supervisors inform the Contracting Officer of personnel with COVID-19 symptoms.

The Return-to-Work Guidance and Code of Conduct for On-Site Contractors (Appendix 1) are incorporated into this contract. Contractors shall ensure contract personnel are aware they are to contact their company/supervisor for guidance.

Testing conducted by the NIH Occupational Medical Service (OMS) falls within Privacy Act System of Records Notice (SORN), 09-25-0105, Administration: Health Records of Employees, Visiting Scientists and Others Who Receive Medical Care through Employees Health Unit, HHS/NIH/ORS.

Information regarding the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program under the Health Resources and Services Administration is available at 1-855-266-2427 or http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/.

(If your IC is not doing testing through CC OMS, the IC would they have to identify another SORN and incorporate prior to beginning any testing)

ARTICLE H.3. HUMAN MATERIALS

The acquisition and supply of all human specimen material (including fetal material) used under this contract shall be obtained by the Contractor in full compliance with applicable State and Local laws and the provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act in the United States, and no undue inducements, monetary or otherwise, will be offered to any person to influence their donation of human material.

http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/

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ARTICLE H.4. HUMAN MATERIALS (ASSURANCE OF OHRP COMPLIANCE)

The acquisition and supply of all human specimen material (including fetal material) used under this contract shall be obtained by the Contractor in full compliance with applicable State and Local laws and the provisions of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act in the United States, and no undue inducements, monetary or otherwise, will be offered to any person to influence their donation of human material.

The Contractor shall provide written documentation that all human materials obtained as a result of research involving human subjects conducted under this contract, by collaborating sites, or by subcontractors identified under this contract, were obtained with prior approval by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) of an Assurance to comply with the requirements of 45 CFR 46 to protect human research subjects. This restriction applies to all collaborating sites without OHRP-approved Assurances, whether domestic or foreign, and compliance must be ensured by the Contractor.

Provision by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer of a properly completed "Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption", Form OMB No. 0990-0263(formerly Optional Form 310), certifying IRB review and approval of the protocol from which the human materials were obtained constitutes the written documentation required. The human subject certification can be met by submission of a self-designated form, provided that it contains the information required by the "Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption", Form OMB No. 0990-0263(formerly Optional Form 310).

ARTICLE H.5. NIH POLICY ON ENHANCING REPRODUCIBILITY THROUGH RIGOR AND

TRANSPARENCY

Contractors shall adhere to the NIH policy of enhancing reproducibility through rigor and transparency by addressing each of the four areas of the policy in performance of the Statement of Work and in publications, as applicable:

1) Scientific Premise; 2) Scientific Rigor; 3) Consideration of Relevant Biological Variables, including Sex; and 4) Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources. This policy applies to all NIH funded research and development, from basic through advanced clinical studies. See NIH Guide Notice, NOT-OD-15-103, "Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency" and NOT-OD-15-102, "Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable in NIH-funded Research" for more information. In addition, publications are expected to follow the guidance at http:// www.nih.gov/research-training/rigor-reproducibility/principles-guidelines-reporting-preclinical-research, whether preclinical or otherwise, as appropriate. More information is available at http://grants.nih.gov/reproducibility/index.htm, including FAQs and a General Policy Overview.

ARTICLE H.6. NIH POLICY ON ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS TO ARCHIVED

PUBLICATIONS RESULTING FROM NIH-FUNDED RESEARCH

NIH-funded investigators shall submit to the NIH National Library of Medicine's (NLM) PubMed Central (PMC) an electronic version of the author's final manuscript, upon acceptance for publication, resulting from research supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH. NIH defines the author's final manuscript as the final version accepted for journal publication, and includes all modifications from the publishing peer review process. The PMC archive will preserve permanently these manuscripts for use by the public, health care providers, educators, scientists, and NIH.

The Policy directs electronic submissions to the NIH/NLM/PMC: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov.

Additional information is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-071.html and http:// publicaccess.nih.gov.

ARTICLE H.7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING

The Contractor shall clearly state, when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money: (1) the percentage of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money; (2) the dollar…