A02-RFI Sources Sought 0011455606.docx

Subject: Electronic Food Frequency Questionnaire Development and Analysis for the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

1.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained.

2.0 SUBJECT: The United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), is conducting market research to assess commercial availability of performing electronic food frequency questionnaire development and analysis services. In line with the above goal, USARIEM wishes to obtain information from commercial sources who possess the ability to perform the tasks required.

3.0 BACKGROUND: The USARIEM’s mission is to optimize Warfighter health and performance through medical research. The USARIEM is internationally recognized as the premiere Department of Defense laboratory for Warfighter health and performance research and focuses on environmental medicine, physiology, physical and cognitive performance, and nutrition research. This is a new requirement for the Military Nutrition Division (MND) at USARIEM. The MND is one of four research divisions within USARIEM. The mission of the Military Nutrition Division is to conduct research that provides biomedical science basis for developing new rations, menus, policies and programs that enable Warfighter health-readiness and optimal performance. Its focus areas include Recovery Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Dietary Supplements and Physiological Resilience.

In order to capture a history of nutritional intake, a validated questionnaire is needed for accurate data collection and analysis. An electronic food frequency questionnaire is required to be able to perform important eating behavior research by the MND. Paper food frequency questionnaires require in person delivery and are not feasible for large scale survey work that the MND has been asked to accomplish by Installation Management Command (IMCOM). An electronic food frequency questionnaire will allow the MND to survey a large number of Soldiers from multiple posts using web links to accomplish research for IMCOM.

4.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should address the all of the following in their capabilities statement:

4.1 Organization Information:

a. Organization’s full legal name

b. DUNS Number

c. Socio-economic status (Large business, small business, 8(a), VOSB, SDVOSB, etc.)

d. Address

e. Point of contact name, phone number, and email

4.2 Company Capabilities Statement: The capability statements provide must include the following:

The Contractor must provide verification of approval for use within the DoD and have passed or be able to pass information security verification (governance) by USARIEM’s Information Management Division. Governance approval is based on the requirements of Army Regulation (AR) 25-5: Information Management: Army Cybersecurity Regulation. Information security verification ensures the system being procured is compliant with applicable DoD/Army security requirements, ensures USARIEM’s information technology systems are compatible, and ensures the capability is unique and not a duplication of existing capabilities.

The contractor shall be capable of providing Electronic Food Frequency Questionnaire (eFFQ) and analysis services.

The contractor shall be capable of providing a custom landing page specific to USARIEM where a participant will be able to self-generate a unique participant ID.

The contractor shall be capable of providing a participant ID to identify eFFQ data and also attach a date to each eFFQ report to ensure repeat reports can be differentiated. After completion of eFFQs, the contractor shall be capable of analyzing the eFFQ. The following specifies the Performance Objectives and Performance Elements for the contract:

a. Analyze electronic FFQ's. Provide a minimum of the following nutrients, food groups, etc. in terms of daily intake and analyze the following nutrients: kcal, protein, trans fat, total fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, saturated fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, dietary fiber, dietary soluble fiber, folate, alpha tocopherol, zinc, vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin A, retinol, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein-zeaxanthin, lycopene, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, selenium, sugars, isoflavones, cystine, arginine, PUFA 18:2, PUFA 18:3, PUFA 18:4, PUFA 20:4, EPA, DPA, DHA, omega 6 fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acids, fructose, lactose, maltose, galactose, sucrose, glucose, total and free choline, betaine, and sphingomyelin, dietary fiber from beans, dietary fiber from vegetables and fruits.

b. Analyze the percent of kcal from fat, protein, carbohydrates, and alcoholic beverages.

c. Analyze the food groups (vegetables, fruits, grains, meats, dairy).

d. Analyze the MyPyramid food groups (added sugars, alcohol, discretionary fat oil, discretionary fat solid, cheese/ milk equivalent, milk, total dairy, yogurt, citrus melon berries, other fruit, total fruit, solid fruit, juices, total grain, non-whole grains, whole grains, legumes, eggs, fish/ seafood, lunch meats, meat, nuts and seeds, organ meats, poultry, soy, deep yellow orange vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, potatoes, starchy vegetables, tomatoes, total vegetables).

e. Analyze Healthy Eating Index variables.

f. Analyze volunteer/ Patient data reports.

g. Provide a minimum of the following nutrients in terms of daily intake: Calcium and Vitamin D.

h. Be available to assist USARIEM with any questions they may have regarding the data analysis.

The contractor must provide detail with regards to identical, similar to or related past or current experience demonstrating their capabilities in providing these types of services in their capabilities statements.

5.0 SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDE: The Government has not determined the set-aside capability, if possible, at this time. The Government will use the RFI results in analyzing small businesses’ capacity to perform this requirement and make its decision.

6.0 INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING:

Submission: Please submit an electronic copy of the capabilities statement, in a “.pdf” file type, of your response to Ms. Beverly R. Michaels at email address: beverly.r.michaels.civ@mail.mil. Please use the title in your email “Electronic Food Frequency Questionnaire for USARIEM – RFI Response”.

Due Date: RFI response submission is due by 10:00 a.m. E.D.T. on Thursday, 14 May 2020.

Page Limit: Limit your total written response to 10 pages (single-sided). The cover page and table of contents does not count towards the page limit. Beyond the 10 page limit, the Government may only review examples of media and graphic design, as requested above.