Att_11-ATPI__Biomedical_Data_Computing_Support_Services.pdf

75N91024R00009

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Additional Technical Proposal Instructions

These Additional Technical Proposal Instructions reflect the requirements of the RFP and provide specific instructions and formatting for the Technical Proposal. While Section L of the RFP provides a generic set of Technical Proposal Instructions applicable to all NIH solicitations, these Additional Technical Proposal Instructions are tailored to the specific requirements of the RFP. The information requested in these instructions should be used, along with Section L. to format and prepare the Technical Proposal and should be used as a Table of Contents for your Technical Proposal.

Offerors are advised to give careful consideration to the Statement of Work (SOW), and Sample Task Orders, Technical Evaluation Criteria in Section M, and the RFP as a whole in the development of - Technical Proposals.

There are 3 task areas in the Base Statement of Work (SOW). These task areas will be found in the Sample Task Orders and future Task Orders. All Offerors must submit a single technical proposal, with a separate, but clearly marked section for each of the following technical responses: Sample Task Order 1 (task areas B and C), Sample Task Order 2a (task areas B and C), and Sample Task Order 2b (task area C).

A technical response is not required for the Base Statement of Work or Task Order 1 (task area A), Contract Initiation/Kick-Off.

Task Areas

• Task Area A: Contract Initiation/Kick-Off

• Task Area B: Biomedical Data Modeling, Data Acquisition and Management

• Task Area C: Data Analytics, Statistical and Bioinformatic Analysis and Tool Development

The Government intends to award multiple Base IDIQ contracts and Task Order 1, (TO1, Contract Initiation/Kick-off), as a result of this solicitation. The sample task orders are provided to assess the offeror’s capabilities to conduct and fulfill the requirements of the base IDIQ for future task orders.

technical proposals for sample task orders shall provide the offeror’s (i) Technical Approach; (ii) Organizational Experience and Capabilities of Team and Key Personnel; (iii) Organizational Utilization of Resources and Staffing Management; and (iv) Facilities, Security, and Equipment.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. All Offerors must submit only ONE technical proposal in response to the Sample Task Order 1 (task areas B and C), Sample Task Order 2a (task areas B and C), and Sample Task Order 2b (task area C) that adheres to the following page limitations:

• Technical Proposal Section 2: Not-to-exceed a total of 15 pages per EACH sample task order

• Not included in the page count: Section 1, Section 3, section dividers, appendices and resumes or CVs for Key Personnel, letters of commitment by proposed subcontractors/consultants.

2. Proposals submitted shall include bookmarks and include optical character recognition (searchable) PDF format to the maximum extent practicable and must adhere to the page limits.

Pages that exceed the specified limitations will be removed prior to evaluation.

3. All proposal information and documentation required as specified in the solicitation should be included and listed in the table of contents with a PDF page number.

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4. Pages shall be standard size 8.5x11 with font size of 12 points and margins must be at least one inch on all sides.

5. Proposals shall not include links to internet web site addresses (URLs) or otherwise direct readers to alternate sources of information.

6. Section 508 requirements are applicable. The following technical standards applicable to Electronic Documents can be found at https://www.section508.gov/create/

SECTION 1: COVER SHEET AND TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Technical Proposal Cover Sheet should include the following:

• RFP Title and Number

• SAM Unique Entity Identifier

• Name, title, address, email, telephone, and signature of the Project Manager and the authorized Business Representative (person authorized to sign contracts on behalf of the organization)

2. Project Objectives (NIH FORM 1688-1)

3. Government notice for handling proposals

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

5. Table of Contents

SECTION 2: TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS FOR EACH SAMPLE TASK ORDER

A complete and separate Section 2 must be provided for each sample task order. Clearly Identify which sample task order the offeror is responding to in each Section 2.

A detailed technical plan must be submitted in the offeror’s technical proposal indicating how each aspect of the statement of work (SOW) is to be accomplished. The sample task orders are provided to assess the offeror’s capabilities to conduct and fulfill the requirements of the Statement of Work for projects of similar scope and size to be issued under task order contracts awarded in response to this solicitation. The technical proposal should reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken. The offeror shall submit an explanation of the proposed technical approach in conjunction with the tasks to be performed in achieving the project objectives. Proposals that merely restate the requirements of the Government’s scope of work will not be considered responsive. Use as many subparagraphs, appropriately titled, as needed to clearly outline the general plan of work.

If the proposed approach will involve a subcontracting arrangement, then the offeror shall include a letter(s) of commitment from the subcontractor(s), plus documentation of subcontractor’s expertise, qualifications, and prior performance, as well as a narrative describing how the offeror will manage the subcontractor(s). The offeror shall describe any previous working relationship with proposed subcontractors. Furthermore, the offeror shall address how they will handle privity of contract issues, i.e., the offeror should explain how information will flow between the NCI, the prime contractor (offeror), and any subcontractors since the prime contractor’s presence is required for any discussions.

Instructions for Criterion 1: Technical Approach http://www.section508.gov/create/

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• Offeror’s proposal must include technical information on how the project is to be organized, managed, and executed with information that demonstrates your understanding of management of timelines for planning and accomplishing the work to be performed.

• Include a discussion of the approach to QA/QC for each task.

• Include a discussion of how task performance, schedule and cost will be monitored for each task.

• Provide examples of potential technical problem areas/risks for each task order and provide proposed resolutions/mitigation strategies for those potential problems.

• Describe proposed methods for compliance with FISMA security for databases, documentation, related software, and all necessary elements.

Instructions for Criterion 2: Organizational Experience and Capabilities of Team and Key Personnel

• The offeror’s technical proposal should include all information relevant to document individual training, education, experience (e.g. up to three references for similar services within the past 5-years, etc.), qualifications and expertise necessary for the successful completion of all task order requirements. Each CV must indicate educational background, recent experience, and specific or technical accomplishments including experience with projects of similar scope, size, collaboration, and complexity.

• Document the offeror’s ability to provide and retain an adequate mix of disciplines at optimal staffing levels as needed in each task order.

• Document the expertise and experience of personnel to follow all regulatory policies such as ethical guidelines for protecting personally identifiable information.

Instructions for Criterion 3: Organizational Utilization of Resources and Staffing Management

• Document the offeror’s ability to provide operational support levels to meet scope and task order objectives. For task orders that include systems, this includes the ability to maintain 24-hour 7-days per week service and security.

• Provide a management and communication plan as relevant to each task order statement of work to include lines of authority and management of any proposed subcontractors and/or consultants.

• Document the use of information and other resources, including staffing approach, for efficiency of contract task orders without duplication of effort. This includes the ability to make the underlying work documentation and resources available to increase efficiency in performing tasks and avoid duplication of effort.

• The offeror must be able to recruit personnel on an as needed basis as certain unique labor categories, as well as individuals with unique skills that are not available in the contractor’s existing personnel, may be required. Unique professional skills are defined as those bona fide technical skills for which the expertise required, or duties performed are within the scope of a task area are so specialized or rare that they are not explicitly defined in any of the labor categories needed to address the requirements that may arise as technology evolves. In the event that the offeror does not have skilled personnel for performing any component of any of the task orders, then the offeror shall demonstrate the ability to recruit on an as-needed basis, other personnel or suitable subcontractor(s) to carry out the defined work.

Instructions for Criterion 4: Facilities, Security, and Equipment

• Offeror’s proposal shall document capacity, adequacy, suitability and availability of its facilities and equipment and other resources that will be provided to support all facets of the proposal.

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• The Offeror shall describe processes, and procedures to ensure privacy, data security protections, data storage and data backup in accordance with Federal policies including measures to avoid cyber threats.

• Offerors should discuss applicable federal security policies and the approach to ensure compliance.

• Describe the approach to create/maintain an active Authority to Operate (ATO) for Government information.

• In the event that the offeror does not have facilities, equipment needed in the performance of any of the task orders, then the offeror shall demonstrate the ability to provide the needed resources on an as-needed basis, or suitable subcontractor(s) to support the defined work.

SECTION 3: OTHER EVALUATION FACTORS

• Instructions for Past Performance - Refer to Section L of the solicitation.

• Instructions for Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility - Section 508 – Refer to Section

L of the solicitation. The VPAT should refer to the type of work in STO 2a.

• Instructions for Small Business Participation are as follows:

All offerors (both other than small businesses and small businesses) shall propose the extent of their inclusion of small businesses in the performance of the contract, including: small business (SB), small disadvantaged business (SDB), women-owned small business (WOSB), historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) small business, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). Offeror's small business small business participation will be evaluated subsequent to the technical evaluation.

However, this evaluation will not be conducted on any offeror whose proposal is determined to be technically unacceptable.

All offerors (both other than small businesses and small businesses) are required to submit a Small Business Participation Proposal individually addressing the following areas:

• The extent to which small business firms are identified in each category proposed.

• The extent of commitment to use such firms. Binding agreements and long-term relationships/agreements will be considered more favorably than non-binding agreements.

• The complexity and variety of the work small business firms are to perform.

• Past performance of the offerors in complying with requirements of the clauses at FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, and 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (if applicable)

• The extent of participation of small businesses firms in terms of the percentage of the total task order value based on the combined total value (CTV) of the sample task orders.

This required information will be used to evaluate the extent of your proposed participation/commitment to use U.S. small businesses in the performance of this acquisition (as small business prime offerors or small business subcontractors) relative to Section M, Factor III, Small Business Participation. The final Small Business Participation Proposal will be incorporated at contract award within Section J and will be monitored as a measure of contract compliance within Section J – Attachment J.3.13 – Small Business Utilization Plan Reporting Requirements. These requirements apply at the prime contract and first tier subcontract levels.

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The Small Business Participation Proposal shall not reference the Subcontracting Plan (if required) or any other volume for information; all information required within the Small Business Participation Proposal must be separate and contained within this document. To the extent there is any overlapping content between an offeror’s proposed Small Business Subcontracting Plan and its Small Business Participation Proposal, the overlapping content must be consistent for a Small Business Subcontracting Plan to be deemed “acceptable”.

Note: Subcontracting plan goals are calculated as a percentage of subcontracted dollars as opposed to small business participation which is calculated as a percentage of the combined total value (CTV) of the sample task orders.

The offeror’s proposed Small Business Participation Proposal shall address the following elements:

1. The small business concerns (SBC) as defined in FAR Part 19 that are to be used in your proposed approach to satisfying the requirements of this solicitation for the entire performance period and the nature of the commitment with the SBC (i.e., letter of commitment, joint ventures, mentor protégé agreements, others).

2. The SBCs (prime offerors and small business subcontractors) proposed quantitative participation in terms of the value of the total acquisition or CTV (based on the sample task orders).

For estimating purposes at the task order level, offerors shall use the combined total value (CTV) of the two-year ordering period for each sample task order and assume an even distribution of funded work annually. Offerors shall provide a Task Order-Level Summary of their proposed small business participation including percentage and associated total contract dollars for each of the ordering periods.

Of the proposed CTV, NOT total subcontract value, identify the proposed dollar value and percentage of anticipated awards to small business.

Dollar Value % of CTV Other than Small Business $ % Small Business $ %

CTV $ 100%

Indicate the total percentage of participation to be performed by businesses in each small business category. Small business firms that qualify in more than one category may be counted in each category for which they qualify.

Business Category Dollar Value % of CTV

CTV – Prime Offeror $ % Total S $ %

SDB $ %

WOSB $ %

HUBZone $ %

SDVOSB $ %

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Sample Task Order-Level Summary: Provide the proposed small business participation including percentage and associated CTV of proposed orders with two ordering periods in the following format:

Period Proposed %CTV

Base $ Ordering Period 1 $

3. The type of agreements and/or commitments (this includes purchase orders, teaming agreements, or letters of commitment) to use small business firms under the contract, including the complexity and variety of work small businesses are to perform. Provide documentation regarding enforceable commitments (e.g. joint ventures, teaming agreements, subcontracting or partnership letters of commitment(s)) to utilize any small business category, as defined in FAR Part 19, as subcontractors.

Each enforceable commitment must be specific to the subject requirement and include acknowledgment via signatures by both parties. Copies of such agreements shall be provided as part of your small business participation proposal and will not count against the page limitation for this volume. Any information concerning long-term relationships with small business subcontractors, such as mentor-protégé relationships should also be provided.

4. The Offeror shall submit information substantiating the Offeror’s past performance in complying with FAR 52.219-8 and/or FAR 52.219-9 subcontracting requirements. Offerors shall provide a statement indicating whether any negative information has been reported in the past three years concerning the Offeror’s past compliance with FAR 52.219-8 and/or FAR 52.219-9, if applicable. If any such negative information has been reported, the Offeror may submit explanations or comments responding to such negative information. Offerors with no prior contracts containing FAR 52.219-8 and/or FAR 52.219-9 shall certify the same.

For Large Businesses, the Offeror shall include SF 294 and SF 295 (or Individual Subcontracting and Summary Subcontracting Reports in eSRS) information for Government contracts with these reporting requirements for the last three years limited to 3 references. Provide the approved subcontracting plans and teaming agreements and explanations of any shortfalls and plans to increase small business participation. Copies of such reports, plans and agreements shall be provided as part of your small business participation proposal and will not count against the page limitation for this volume.