Biology_PWS_00003.docx

SAMPLE TASK ORDER

D15PS00167 Attachment F

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)

BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Biology Technical Support

Issued by:

Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Division, Division III

Table of Contents

1. BACKGROUND

1.1. PURPOSE

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office (BTO) requires technical, programmatic, financial, and administrative advisory and assistance services (A&AS)/ Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to assist in accomplishing the office mission for existing and planned programs. This Performance Work Statement (PWS) defines the tasks to be performed under Biology technical support task order. A&AS includes Management and Professional Support; Studies, Analyses, and Evaluations; and Engineering and Technical Services. A&AS does not include personal services or inherently governmental functions.

1.2. SCOPE

1.2.1. The contractor shall provide support to complement the Government’s expertise in accomplishing its mission. Outputs may take the form of information, advice, opinions, alternatives, analyses, evaluations, recommendations, training and services. Under no circumstances will any work under this contract and subsequent task orders be used to perform work of a policy, decision-making, or managerial nature that is the direct responsibility of agency officials. The nature of this work will, at times, demand the contractor be capable of quick response to deadlines.

1.2.2. The contractor shall provide support for the successful execution of existing and new programs, and related technologies in the following current areas: Neuroscience, Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, and other related efforts. Currently, there are eight (8) Program Managers overseeing the following existing programs and a group of related efforts for which direct support is required as outlined below; however, additional support may be required as new Program Managers are hired and new programs are approved. BTO expects growth in the areas of additional program managers and programs at a rate of approximately five (5%) percent per year. Additional details regarding the programs below may be found at www. darpa.mil.

· ADEPT: The program seeks to create multiple capabilities to address these needs: distributed diagnostics, transient immunoprophylaxis, and new vaccines.

· REVOLUTIONIZING PROSTHETICS: The program seeks to develop advanced prosthetic arm systems and methods for restoration of near-natural movement and control. It also aims to continue increasing functionality of the DARPA arm systems so service members with arm loss may one day have the option of choosing to return to duty.

· SUBNETS: The program seeks to develop new neural interfaces to measure how system disorders manifest in the brain and precisely deliver therapy in humans with neuropsychiatric and neurologic diseases. The program also aims to take advantage of neural plasticity, a feature of the brain by which the organ’s anatomy and physiology alter over time to support normal brain function.

· NEURO-FAST: The program seeks to apply novel optical methods to acquire in real-time brain structure, activity, and behavior. Neuro-FAST seeks to allow researchers to individually identify specific cell types, register the connections between organizations of neurons, and track their firing activity using optical methods in awake, behaving subjects

· RESTORING ACTIVE MEMORY (RAM): The program aims to develop neuroprosthetics for memory recovery in human patients with brain injury or dysfunction. Researchers will also explore new methods for analysis and decoding of neural signals to understand how targeted stimulation might be applied to help the brain reestablish an ability to encode new memories following brain injury.

· BIOLOGICAL ROBUSTNESS IN COMPLEX SETTINGS (BRICS): The program will develop the necessary fundamental understanding and component technologies to enable the transition of synthetic biological systems from well-defined laboratory environments into more complex settings.

· PROPHECY: The program aims to predict and anticipate the evolution of viruses, with particular assessment of the impact genetic mutation on the fitness of the organism.

· DIALYSIS-LIKE THERAPEUTICS (DLT): The goal of the program is to develop a portable device that removes "dirty" blood from the body, separates harmful agents, and returns "clean" blood to the body in a manner similar to dialysis treatment of kidney failure.

· IN VIVO NANOPLATFORMS (IVN): The program seeks to develop new classes of adaptable nanoparticles for persistent, distributed, unobtrusive physiologic and environmental sensing as well as the treatment of physiologic abnormalities, illness, and infectious disease.

· MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS (MPS): The program will develop a platform that uses engineered human tissue to mimic human physiological systems. The resulting platform should increase the quality and potentially the number of novel therapies that move through the pipeline and into clinical care.

· RAPID THREAT ASSESSMENT (RTA): The program will seek to develop tools and methods to detect and identify the cellular components and mechanistic events that take place over a range of times, from the milliseconds immediately following threat agent exposure, to the days over which alterations in gene and protein expression might occur.

· LIVING FOUNDRIES: The goal of the program is to leverage the unparalleled synthetic and functional capabilities of biology to create a revolutionary, biologically-based manufacturing platform to provide access to new materials, capabilities and manufacturing paradigms for the DoD and the Nation.

· WARRIOR WEB: The program seeks to develop the technologies required to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal injuries caused by dynamic events typically found in the warfighter’s environment.

· TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOST RESILIENCE (THOR): The goal of the program is to uncover the key biological signatures that convey tolerance to infectious diseases, defined as ‘the survivome’. This program strives to discover a suite of interventions suitable for use in humans to create the tolerant state.

· BATTLEFIELD MEDICINE: The program seeks to develop miniaturized device platforms and techniques that can produce multiple small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and therapeutic proteins in response to specific battlefield threats and medical needs as they arise.

· ELECTRICAL PRESCRPTIONS (ELECTRX): The program aims to leverage the natural functions of the peripheral nervous system to improve physical and mental health and will advance understanding of the anatomy and physiology of specific neural circuits and their role in health and disease.

· PATHOGEN PREDATORS: The program will explore the potential use of living predatory bacteria to treat bacterial infections caused by threat agents and antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

· HAND PROPRIOCEPTION & TOUCH INTERFACES (HAPTIX): The program seeks to deliver naturalistic sensations to amputees, and in the process, enable intuitive, dexterous control of advanced prosthetic devices that substitute for amputated limbs, provide the psychological benefit of improving prosthesis “embodiment,” and reduce phantom limb pain.

In addition, support is currently required for two classified programs that fall within the above mentioned thrusts and includes Special Access Programs.

2. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES/TASKS

2.1. General Performance Objectives:

2.1.1. Phase-in Plan: Develop, deliver, and implement a detailed phase-in plan for seamless transition of SETA support services without interrupting or affecting the quality of services. The phase-in plan should consider a maximum of 60 days to seamlessly transition the support services from the incumbent.

In accordance with DARPA policy and office guidance, the contractor shall provide the high quality personnel and expertise to accomplish, at a minimum, the following:

2.2. Programmatic and Administrative Support

The contractor shall provide some administrative functions for conducting all tasks associated with this performance work statement. The contractor shall provide inputs for the preparation of briefings, develop draft versions of briefings, compose and process reports, and organize and host meetings. This support may include:

· Review or coordination of requests for public release, securing PM approval, submitting and tracking requests to DARPA’s Technical Information Office, and maintaining a file of public release material.

· Preparing, maintaining, and updating a security classification guide if required during the course of the program.

2.3. Technical Support

· The contractor shall provide expert input to the Office Director (OD), Deputy Director (DD), Assistant Director Program Management (ADPM), and program managers (PMs), in support of concept development, assessment and risk identification, as well as recommendations for new programs and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) development, and in carrying out associated technical and program management responsibilities. This may include technical analyses to help define, assess, and monitor new and emerging research opportunities, as well as potential new thrust ideas for the office. The contractor will provide technical guidance and expertise on potential technical risk, and potential program impact of failure.

· The contractor shall provide support to the OD, DD, ADPM and PMs in routine program tasks to include support of technology evaluations, participation at meetings, coordination with related Government and performer organizations, program planning, background research and bibliographic research, meeting preparation, and presentation production. The contractor shall also provide inputs to the PMs, assisting in responses to internal/external inquiries related to the research. The contractor shall provide, as required, informal feedback to the PMs, OD, and DD, as well as formal feedback at critical program events/activities.

· The contractor shall assist the PMs, OD, DD, and ADPM in determining optimal program strategies, to include metrics, goals, and objectives of innovative technologies. The contractor shall provide subject matter expertise in areas that are not primarily within their technical domain, but are pertinent to the new concepts/programs the office may be pursuing. This includes technical support for office-based initiatives (new program concepts and technologies), new starts, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) efforts, and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) efforts. This support may include participation in technical reviews of these activities, and assistance with technical evaluation and independent assessments of the concepts and related technologies. Additionally, the contractor may prepare briefings, reports, and other related documentation/data to support the development and approval of these activities. In addition, the contractor may be requested to coordinate with potential users to formulate performance and programmatic requirements for new program concepts/technologies.

· Assist the PMs, OD, DD, and ADPM by providing technical expertise with ongoing programs to include input at quarterly reviews, site visits, demonstrations, and other events; provide recommendations to mitigate technical risk and potential program impact of failure; provide independent assessments of results of laboratory and other tests conducted by the performers.

· Assist the PMs in providing Subject Matter Expert (SME) support as needed in scientific reviews to include providing input as to the technical strengths and weakness of Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) proposals.

· Provide technical input as required into the Research and Development Descriptive Summary (RDDS) narratives, congressional staff briefings, and other related inquiries from outside agencies.

· The contractor shall plan, coordinate, and assist with testing and/or demonstrations as required by the PMs to support the objectives of the program. This support will include working with performers, government collaborators, and test ranges to develop test configurations, other requirements, and detailed test plans. This support will also include participation in the development of accomplishment criteria for contractor Test Readiness Reviews. The contractor may be asked to act as a liaison between the government test range personnel and the performers.

2.4. Briefing and Communications Support

The contractor shall support the PMs, OD, DD, and ADPM in briefing, report and preparation of communications documents. This support may include providing personnel, equipment and software capable of preparing reports, graphic presentations, scanning documents, and faxing documents, all of which could be up to or at the TS/SCI level. The contractor shall be capable of providing rapid turnaround of time critical materials. Support may include:

· Preparation of drafts of DIRO (Director’s Office) review briefings, industry day/workshop presentations, technical interchange meetings, and other briefings/presentations for internal and external use.

2.5. Meeting/Conference Support

The contractor shall provide personnel to organize and logistically support program-related meetings and new concept industry days/workshops. Meeting support services include planning, organizing, scheduling, agenda planning, conference material and proceedings preparations, provide for audio-visual services/equipment and security services at both DARPA and non-DARPA locations.

· In addition, the contractor shall also have the ability to host meetings in their own facility in a conference room capable of comfortably accommodating at least 25 people. The facility shall be within 15 minutes walking distance of the DARPA location at 675 N. Randolph Dr., Arlington, VA. The conference room shall provide adequate security for up to SECRET level classified discussions.

· For planning purposes, it is anticipated that 12 local meetings will be held with approximately 50-75 attendees at each meeting. It is anticipated that 12 non-local meetings will be held annually with 50-75 attendees at each meeting. For non-local meetings, assume one half are on the west coast and one half are on the east coast.

· For all meetings, labor and ODC costs shall be separately identified.

3. DELIVERABLES AND REPORTS

In addition to any deliverables identified in Section 2.0, the contractor shall electronically submit other reports.

3.1. Monthly Report:

A monthly progress/status report will be delivered each month by the 15th of each month (covering the preceding month’s timeframe) to the PM, ADPM, and COR. The report shall be generated in a manner that will enable clear comparison supporting certification of invoices. The report will include:

· A summary of work accomplished, schedule updates, and any anticipated any issues (contractual, personnel, programmatic, etc.).

· Corresponding financial status that summarizes overall financial progress:

· For each person who has charged the task: name, labor category, labor rate, monthly charges (hours and dollars), cumulative charges (hours and dollars).

· For the task as a whole, total funding provided, total charges to date, funding balance remaining, and a comparison of the funding provided against the actual and projected burn rates.

· Copies of monthly invoices, attached as an addendum

3.2. Other Reports:

Other reports will be required as required, indicating the work accomplished and current status.

3.3. Final Report.

The contractor shall electronically provide a final report to the ADPM and COR that includes summary financial information, technical accomplishments, and any issues and their resolution.

4. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED INFORMATION / EQUIPMENT / FACILITIES

4.1. Government Furnished Information

The Government will provide the contractor access to necessary information, documentation, data, files, DARPA financial system software to accomplish the PWS tasks.

4.2. Government Furnished Equipment

All FTE will be assigned IT equipment based upon their required support. Contractors must be able to work at the Government Site.

4.3. Facilities/Place of Performance

Fully furnished office space may be available onsite at the DARPA facility. It should not be assumed to be shared with contractor personnel unless Government site rate discounts for those personnel are offered. All other proposed staff are expected to perform the required support from contractor facilities located in Virginia near the DARPA location, and from other contractor locations as appropriate. However, all contractors should be proposed at rates for both on the government site as well as on the contractor site in case space at the Government facility becomes available. Access to DARPA will be required on a regular basis.

5. TRAVEL

The contractor will be required to provide technical input at program meetings that will require local travel in the Arlington, VA area as well as travel to the investigators’ institutions, conferences, symposia and to potential transition customers. For annual planning purposes, assume travel will include 30 West Coast trips (LA/SD/Bay Area), 30 Midwest (Chicago/Indianapolis), and 40 trips to the Boston area per year.

6. SECURITY

The majority of this work will be unclassified; however, all contractor personnel who sit onsite and/or are proposed at 25% LOE or greater must have a minimum of a SECRET clearance. Additional security requirements may be added as new programs are approved.

7. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT

The DARPA POC responsible for the technical aspects of this task order is:

P. Jason Lamp DARPA Biological Technologies Office Arlington, VA 22203

(703) 218-1549 Jason.Lamp@darpa.mil

8. PERSONNEL

8.1. Expertise Requirements

The contractor shall provide qualified, experienced engineering and technical support personnel, management support personnel, and administrative support personnel to accomplish the tasks and deliver the services required by this Performance Work Statement. All contractor personnel proposed will meet the qualifications set forth in the Personnel Qualifications attachment at Section D of the base IDIQ.

8.2. Subcontractors and Consultants

The contractor may subcontract other contractors or Subject Matter Experts and consultants for the efforts defined within this Performance Work Statement. All subcontracted effort shall be subject to the consent requirements contained in the subcontracting clause of this contract. In the event subcontractors and/or consultants are utilized, the contractor will be fully responsible for their performance and cost reporting. The contractor shall provide the manpower required to manage all subcontracts and consultant efforts and to monitor subcontractor activities to the appropriate level of detail that is required to assure timely delivery of all supplies and/or services. The contractor shall ensure these personnel have the appropriate level of security clearance to support the effort they are proposed for. A report on subcontractor and consultant performance will be included as part of the monthly status report.

APPENDIX: LABOR TABLE

BTO BIOLOGY TECHNICAL SUPPORT

It is the contractor’s responsibility to submit a proposal based on its expertise and understanding of the requirement as outlined in the associated BTO Biology Technical Support PWS. Due to the technical complexities associated with providing the necessary and appropriate support for the BTO Biology Technical Support Task Order, below is an example of the possible labor categories and FTE’s needed to accomplish the task. The following table is included to help clarify the specific personnel needs associated with the task, along with the minimum number of FTE’s the Government requires to provide support for the work described in this PWS.

While the proposal does not need to be limited to the use of the below categories or specific FTE’s within said labor categories, the offeror is expected to provide a proposal for at least the minimum number of total FTEs outlined below. Should the offeror choose to propose less than the minimum number of total FTEs, the offeror must describe in detail how its approach will provide BTO with the expert, high quality support it requires. All proposed personnel must have excellent organization, communication and coordination abilities. All personnel must be able handle a wide variety of tasks, such as briefing support and general administrative actions. Previous experience in providing direct support to a PM, as well as experience at DARPA is also highly desirable. Rates should be provided for both on and offsite locations.

Lead Scientist

Sr. Scientist

Sr. Scientist

Sr. Scientist

.5

Candidate(s) should possess a PhD in biology or related field. Training and research experience in several of the following areas is preferred: molecular biology, cell signaling, genetics, proteomics, genetic engineering, developmental biology, mechanobiology, immunology, and neurobiology.

Sr. Scientist

.25

Candidate(s) should possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in the biological sciences or physical sciences. Experience/expertise in molecular biology, cell biology and/or bio chemistry is highly desired. Skill in analytical techniques and experience working with pharmaceutical R&D, along with experience in approaches that improve the bioavaibility of recombinant proteins is preferred.

Scientist

.5

Candidate(s) should possess a PhD with experience/expertise in cell/molecular neurobiology with application to human and animal studies.

Scientist

Scientist

Scientist

Candidate(s) should possess a Master's Degree in biology, with experience/expertise in cell and molecular biology, along with synthetic biology and biotechnology. Expertise in synthetic biology, molecular biology and cellular biology is strongly desired.

SME 1

Conference Specialist

A minimum of three years preparing visual arts, including text and illustrations. Must be adept in computer-generated graphics and PC-based software packages, including PowerPoint.

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