PERFORMANCE_WORK_STATEMENT_AND_PRICING_SCHEDULE.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SOLICITATION AG‐6395‐S‐16‐0038

WILDLIFE RABIES SCIENCE CONSULTING SERVICES

1.0 PRICING SCHEDULE

Quotes shall specify a fixed hourly rate that includes wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit. The quantity specified is the estimated quantity that might be scheduled by the Government on an as‐ needed basis in accordance with the Scope of Work. The Government is not required to schedule the quantity specified and there is no guaranteed minimum. Consulting services shall be invoiced on an hourly basis.

ITEM DESCRIPTION EST QTY* UNIT HOURLY RATE

0001 Consulting Services 600 Hours ________

(Labor Hour)

OPTION ITEM:

0002 Consulting Services 100 Hours ________

(Labor Hour)

*See paragraph 2.3 “Labor Hour Ceiling Price” and clause 452.216‐74 “Ceiling Price”.

2.0 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.0 Contract Type

This is a commercial labor hour contract.

1.1 Period of Performance

Date of Award through July 31, 2016.

2.0 Statement of Work

Rabies in wildlife impacts public health, agriculture (livestock and other mammalian animals), pets (dogs and cats), and wildlife, with potentially profound effects on threatened and endangered wild mammalian species.

Rabies from dogs and wild carnivores is transmitted along the broad interface where these animals may have contact and the virus is present. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) and Cooperator goals for rabies management in the U.S. are to eliminate specific rabies virus variants, most notably in gray foxes and raccoons, and to prevent reemergence of canine rabies (as occurred in dogs and coyotes in the 1980’s in south Texas). The contractor shall provide a subject matter expert (Wildlife Rabies Science Advisor) to support the WS National Rabies Management Program. In order to successfully accomplish goals and objectives outlined in the U.S. National Plan for Wildlife Rabies Management and the North American Rabies Management Plan, additional special expertise is required.. The work required under this contract primarily involves consulting services on issues relating to: collaboration, rabies surveillance, rabies control, rabies elimination strategies, rabies program monitoring and wildlife rabies research. The other primary responsibility of the Rabies Science Advisor is to analyze data, prepare scientific manuscripts for publication, attend formal and informal scientific workshops, meetings and conferences with the Rabies Management Coordinator. Services shall be performed at the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services program office located at 59 Chenell Drive, Suite 2, Concord, NH 03301.

APHIS will require a “Wildlife Rabies Science Advisor” to perform the following duties tasks/requirements:

Consulting Services shall include the following:

Develop Scientific Manuscripts

Raccoon density indexes in the Eastern U.S.

Value of raccoon road kill surveys to enhanced rabies surveillance

Temporal fidelity of raccoon movement to developed shoreline habitat: Implications for Oral Rabies

Vaccination

Consulting, editing, reviewing manuscripts:

Factors related to rabies virus neutralizing antibody trends in raccoons post ORV with Raboral V‐RG®, 2007‐2010

Other papers as appropriate or requested

Reports

Provide support for continued reporting to the Centers for Veterinary Biologics on field trials

Assist with other emerging high priority reports

Other Consulting Services

Provide insight, ideas, advice and recommendations as requested on issues relating to: collaboration, surveillance, control, elimination, monitoring and research

Meetings

Participate in staff meetings as requested

2.1 ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

Wildlife rabies management is one of WS’ core functions. These activities have national and international implications. Oral rabies vaccination is central to achieving rabies management goals of geographic scale in the U.S. and elsewhere globally. Accomplishments to date in the U.S., which have been achieved through integration of Raboral V‐RG® oral rabies vaccine into control strategies, include: elimination of canine rabies that had spilled over into coyotes in south Texas from sources in Mexico and the near elimination of unique rabies variant in gray foxes in west Texas. ORV has also been successfully used to prevent appreciable spread of raccoon rabies beyond a line that stretches from northeast Ohio to southwest Alabama. WS and cooperators continue to explore and evaluate ways to improve program performance. This involves research and monitoring programs that includes a focus on wildlife ecology, ORV distribution strategies and field trials involving novel oral vaccines.

To more aggressively pursue elimination of raccoon rabies, WS is in the process of evaluating a live, recombinant human adenovirus5‐rabies glycoprotein oral vaccine (ONRAB®) as a candidate. This vaccine has worked well in Canada. The purpose of field trials is to determine if there may be a role for ONRAB® in elimination campaigns targeting raccoon rabies in the U.S. Evaluation of ONRAB® vaccine baits in the context of several categorical variables such a raccoon density, bait density, and bait distribution method to mention a few represents an urgent need above the existing demands for effective program operations. WS must accomplish these evaluations and consult on continuing field trials to ensure timely decisions on potential program improvements in rabies management. To accomplish this mission critical work, additional special expertise is required given current staffing levels.

2.2 Personnel Needs

The contractor shall work effectively and efficiently with the WS NRMP team in Concord, NH as well as the NWRC Rabies Research Project Staff in Ft. Collins, CO, which is funded by the NRMP. In addition, the contractor is expected to be intimately familiar with rabies and other Lyssaviruses, ORV, TVR, and population reduction control methods; wildlife hosts and dynamics; rabies impacts to public health, agriculture and wildlife; and the history of rabies management in North America.

The contractor’s proposed key personnel (Wildlife Rabies Science Advisor) shall possess expertise and experience in wildlife management, rabies management, analytical capabilities, public speaking and writing skills that reflect experience in conference presentations and scientific publications in the areas of focus described in this solicitation.

2.3 Government Roles and Responsibility

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of the contract, the administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the Government and Contractor.

The USDA, APHIS shall designate a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to monitor all technical aspects and assist in administering the contract. A letter of designation will be issued to the COR with a copy supplied to the Contractor, stating the responsibilities and limitations of the COR.

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes to the contract.

2.4 Government Furnished Information and Support

The contractor shall consult with the COR to accomplish the tasks described in the SOW for the following:

1. Quickly obtain any supporting unpublished studies, data, or reports germane to the project.

2. Benefit from the insight of specialists and expertise in the NRMP or NWRC Rabies Research Project.

3. Obtain data and reports from WS historic and MIS databases for analyses.

4. Discuss analytical approaches that may change as a function of specific data anomalies.

2.5 Travel

Travel is not authorized and will not be reimbursed under this contract. Should the individual performing in the role as Wildlife Rabies Science Advisor be invited to participate in workshops and conferences, travel arrangements will be coordinated outside of this contract with the Program and reimbursed with prior approval in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

2.6 Government Roles and Responsibility

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of the contract, the administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the Government and Contractor.

2.7 Contracting Officer’s Representative

The USDA, APHIS shall designate a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to monitor all technical aspects and assist in administering the contract.

In no event will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of the contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless advance authorization is received from the Contracting Officer, and proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to performing the work.

The COR shall inform the Contracting Officer as soon as possible of any recommended modifications, and actions or inactions of the Contractor or the Government which could impact the Contractor’s ability to comply with the contract performance requirements or completion times. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor shall so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer shall be notified immediately.

PROCEEDING WITH WORK WITHOUT PROPER CONTRACTUAL COVERAGE AND APPROVAL OF THE

CONTRACTING OFFICER COULD RESULT IN A BREACH OF CONTRACT AND NONPAYMENT.

The designation (delegation of authority) shall be provided in writing to the COR and the Contractor.

The delegation of authority shall clearly explain the COR’s role and responsibility on the contract, and limitations of authority.

The following contacts are the only persons authorized to interact with the contractor on this contract:

1. For contract related issues:

Lisa Draves, Contracting Officer, (612) 336‐3364 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): TBD

2.3 Labor Hour Ceiling Price

The Government shall not be obligated to pay the Contractor any amount in excess of the ceiling price for consulting services as set forth in the contract Pricing Schedule. It is estimated that the total cost to the Government for the performance of consulting services shall not exceed the ceiling price set forth in the Schedule and the Contractor agrees to use its best efforts to perform the work specified in the Schedule and all obligations under this contract within such ceiling price (52.212‐4 Alt I (i)(2)).

2.4 Safety and Security Requirements

a. In accordance with the USDA regulations, a Background Investigation of the wildlife rabies science advisor is required prior to starting work under this contract as well as maintaining it throughout the duration of the contract. Prior to start of work, the CONTRACTOR shall provide only fully qualified and properly cleared personnel for the work to be performed under this SOW. The contractor shall, through their own internal background investigation protocol and pre‐employment investigation, ensure that each contractor employee submitted for a background investigation is reasonably expected to receive a favorable adjudication of their respective investigations and training.

b. The USDA, APHIS will pay for the required background investigation. The government shall have and exercise full and complete control over granting, denying, withholding, or termination the background investigation clearance for employees.

c. All contractor personnel that will have access to the APHIS facility will be required to have, at High Risk Public

Trust Background Investigation (BI) with no less than favorably adjudicated returned results. Once approved and working at the facility, the contractor personnel shall not be removed or diverted from the site without prior notification to the PPQ facility representative or the designated COR.

d. The contractor shall not employ persons for work on this contract if such employee is considered by the contracting officer to be a potential threat to health, safety, general wellbeing or operational mission of USDA and its employees. If the contracting officer finds a prospective employee to be unsuitable for his or her assigned duties, the contractor will be advised immediately that such employee cannot continue to work or be assigned to work under the contract.

e. The Contracting Officer Representative will assist the contractor, where practical, with the background investigation process and the associated paperwork. Where necessary they will provide contractor information to the security personnel and provide information and documents to the contractor.

(a) Contractors shall comply with the personal identity verification (PIV) policies and procedures established by the AGAR Advisory No. 81, Revision 03 dated July 19, 2010 – Common Identification Standard for Contractors. In addition, procedures to be followed by contractors and contractor employees are specified in the Departmental Regulation and Departmental Manual (DM) 4620‐002. Copies can be downloaded from the website at http://hspd12.usda.gov

(b) All background investigations or clearances must be done one week prior to commencing work. Where this is not practical and the prime or subcontractor requires intermittent access to federally controlled facilities or are under the aggregate 180 day limit, a temporary guest ID badge will be issued and/or such personnel may be under constant supervision and their access to areas or data may be more restricted. Contractor employees who will NOT have routine unaccompanied physical access to a Federally controlled facility and/or routine unaccompanied access to a Federally‐controlled information system may be excluded from coverage by AGAR Advisory 81 based on the LincPass Distribution Risk Assessment. The LincPass Distribution Risk Assessment will be conducted by a USDA Sponsor for contract personnel (Contracting Officer’s Representative, or other Government designated program/project officers) as part of the PIV II registration, identity proofing, and credential issuance procedures. Examples of probable exclusion are\ couriers, express mail and package or other delivery persons.

(c) The Contractor shall provide to the USDA PIV Sponsor and the Personnel Security Specialist listed below, a list of all contractor and subcontractor employees full name, job title, employer (prime or subcontractor), contract number, performance period and/or the days employee is expected to be on‐site for base year and each period of performance, if applicable, and information on OPM’s background investigation or clearance conducted by the prime or subcontractor and that contractor employees pass the background check.

(d) The Contractor shall take full responsibility to ensure that prime and subcontractor employees who require routine, long‐term physical access to federally controlled facilities and logical access to Federally controlled information systems except for "national security systems" as defined by 44 U.S.C. 3542(b)(2), are required to complete and submit HRO 1197, Contractor Supplement and the AD‐1197, Request for USDA Identification (ID) Badge, along with copies of two identity source documents (one being a photo ID) and two completed fingerprint cards (FD‐258 attached), to the following. You can obtain these forms and further guidance from the Personnel Security Specialist who oversees the investigation process for contractors:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, HRD

Attn: Security Specialist ‐ Contractors

Butler Square, 100 N. 6th Street, Suite 555B Minneapolis, MN 55403‐1588 Phone: (612) 336‐3294

2.5 Invoices and Payment Information

Invoices shall be submitted in www.IPP.gov. Send two copies of the invoice via mail or email.

First:

Richard B. Chipman Rabies Management Coordinator National Rabies Management Program USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services 59 Chenell Drive, Suite 2 Concord, NH 03301 Richard.B.Chipman@aphis.usda.gov

Second:

Kathleen Murray

USDA,APHIS,WS‐NRMP

59 Chenell Drive, Suite 2 Concord, NH 03301 Kathleen.A.Murray@aphis.usda.gov