Statement_of_Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SERVICES)

(SOW)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Project:

Computational Psychiatry Consulting on Pediatric Mental Illnesses

Statement of Need and Purpose:

The purpose of this requirement is to provide the Emotion and Development Branch (EDB) of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) with an expert in the applications of computational approaches to behavioral and brain imaging experiments.

Background Information and Objective:

The mission of the EDB is to study the pathophysiology, development, and treatment of pediatric mood and anxiety disorders. EDB probes pathophysiology using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) procedures and examines development by acquiring data over time on multiple behaviors, clinical indicators, and measures of brain function. EDB studies treatments in the context of randomized controlled trials. EDB is currently using state-of-the-art techniques to acquire data in each of these areas. This includes pathophysiology data from brain imaging, behavioral data from cognitive tasks, and data on treatment from clinical assessments.

Given the amount of care that goes into the acquisition of these data, a consultant is needed who has considerable experience with novel, state-of-the-art computational modelling techniques for maximizing the yield of these data. Currently, EDB does not have access to experts in brain imaging data, behavioral paradigms, and clinical trials. However, EDB needs regular consultations from experts whose primary focus is on the use of computational models to enhance understanding of brain-behavior relationships. This requires expertise specifically in applications of computational modelling approaches to complex problems that arise in research on mental illness.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance is one 12-month base year from the date of award and one (1) 12-month option year.

Base Year: 06/01/2017 – 05/31/2018 Option Year One: 06/01/2018 – 05/31/2019

SCOPE OF WORK

General Requirements:

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall 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 below:

1. The Contractor shall provide expertise in the following to EDB:

o Applications of computational approaches to behavioral and brain imaging experiments in research on mental illnesses;

o Analyses of brain imaging and behavioral experiments, using sophisticated computational modelling approaches. While various approaches are needed, specific expertise in reinforcement learning is required;

o Use of latent variable techniques, applications of Bayesian statistical techniques, and other complex model building procedures;

o Prior work experience in a biomedical setting, with diverse types of scientists;

and o Multiple types of data and procedures for integrating such data.

Specific Requirements:

Careful, appropriate, well-justified analysis of vital data on pathophysiology and treatment is paramount to the research mission of the EDB. Thus, it is of vital importance that EDB continue to adapt its ability to use computational modeling approaches so that it can conform to the state of the art in neuroscience and the emerging field of computational psychiatry. Moreover, as the sophistication of data increases, the complexity of EDB’s computational models must also reflect these changes. Considerable expertise already exists in EDB and at NIMH more broadly to conduct some complicated analyses and some applications of computational approaches.

Under the direction of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), the contractor shall:

1. Provide consultations on an as-needed basis for particular projects;

2. Facilitate execution of computational analyses that will be performed in house at NIMH;

3. Analyze approaches to research questions;

4. Choose appropriate software to answer research questions;

5. Review output of data analysis from NIH work;

6. Defend concerns from outside scientists on the appropriateness of the method; and

7. Work with scientists at the NIMH as they use these methods to publish research reports.

LEVEL OF EFFORT:

The estimated level of effort for this requirement is one (1) contractor employee on part time basis, 20 hours per week during weeks where analyses will be completed. The total effort is anticipated to be a total of 150 hours per each year at an estimated $100.00/hour.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

If necessary, the Government will provide a workplace, access to databases (if subscription-based) used in EDB, telephone, and laptop computer for one contractor personnel. If the contractor works on site, the contractor will perform work at the following location:

National Institute of Mental Health Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience Address 15K North Drive Building 15K, Room 110 Bethesda, MD 20892-2370

This excludes federal holidays or when the facility is closed (e.g. weather emergencies).

These duties will be performed in collaboration with Drs. Daniel Pine and Ellen Leibenluft, and the personnel of the EDB

The Government will be responsible for reviewing activities and proving feedback. Reports generated as the result of this contract will be reviewed and approved within two weeks upon completion.

DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES

1. Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables:

A progress report will be submitted six months into the contract. This will outline the number of hours devoted to statistical consultations on specific projects.

2. Reporting Requirements

A progress report will be submitted six months into the contract.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Travel:

The Contractor shall be allowed to render services remotely. Data will be sent to the contractor in a way that follows all NIH rules and regulations; these data will not contain identifiable information. The contractor will be responsible for using their own equipment to view these data and perform any analyses on the data. The contractor will then communicate via email and other media about these data.

Key Personnel:

A Contractor is needed who possesses expertise that complements the available computational skill in house. Specifically, past experience applying computational techniques in research on mental illness is required.

Senior EDB staff members need verification from this expert that he or she understands and appreciates the sense of responsibility this position requires.

The contractor employee providing services for this effort shall be considered key personnel.

Key personnel requirements are as follows:

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, mathematics, or psychology

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:

o Computational modeling and behavioral and brain imaging experiments o Statistical data analysis, data reporting, and management o Reinforcement learning o Latent variable techniques o Bayesian statistical techniques

• Demonstrated experience working with biomedical staff

• Minimum of five (5) publications that use computational approaches in the research of mental health in journals with impact factor of at least five or higher.

• Currently working within a university or scientific organization possessing a wealth of experience in biomedical statistical applications

• Understanding and practical knowledge of computational models to enhance understanding of brain-behavior relationships.

Key Personnel – HHSAR 352.242-70 (Jan. 2006)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance.

At least 30 days prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts (or as soon as possible, if an individual must be replaced, for example, as a result of leaving the employ of the Contractor), the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit comprehensive justification for the diversion or replacement request (including proposed substitutions for key personnel) to permit evaluation by the Government of the impact on performance under this contract. The Contractor shall not divert or otherwise replace any key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Government may modify the contract to add or delete key personnel at the request of the Contractor or Government.

Information System Security Plan:

Contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall satisfy all requirements for appropriate security eligibility as specified in the rules governing a Special Volunteer in the NIMH Intramural Research Program.

All costs associated with obtaining clearances for contractor-provided personnel will be the responsibility of the contractor. Further, the contractor will be responsible for the actions of all individuals provided to work under this contract. If damages arise from work performed by contractor-provided personnel under the auspices of this contract, the contractor will be responsible for all resources necessary to remedy the incident.

Data Rights:

The NIMH shall have unlimited rights to and ownership of all deliverables provided under this contract, including reports, recommendations, briefings, work plans and all other deliverables.

This includes the deliverables provided under the basic contract and any optional task deliverables exercised by the contracting officer. In addition, it includes any additional deliverables required by contract change. The definition of “unlimited rights” is contained in

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 27.401, “Definitions.” FAR clause 52.227-14, “Rights in Data-General, ” is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this contract/order.

Section 508—Electronic and Information Technology Standards:

Section 508 Compliance Instructions Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that Federal agencies’ electronic and information technology (EIT) is accessible to people with disabilities. The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Final Rule for Section 508 (EIT Accessibility) can be found at Section508.gov and at the Access Board’s Web site at Access-board.gov.

Unless it is an “undue burden” or compliant products or services do not exist, the products must conform to Section 508. The contractor should state that they will comply with the requirements of Section 508 or cite a justifiable reason for an exception. If any additional costs for compliance are anticipated, these should be identified. Also, if significant difficulty or expense is involved, a commercial non-availability is declared.

Publications and Publicity:

The contractor shall contribute to data gathering and writing the manuscripts, both “white papers” and peer-reviewed manuscripts for publications in scientific magazines.

Confidentiality of Information:

The government will not provide to the contractor any information or data of a personal nature about individual(s) or proprietary information or data pertaining to an institution or organization which is confidential. Whenever the contractor is uncertain with regard to the confidentiality of or a property interest in information under this contract, the contractor should consult with the Contracting Officer prior to any release, disclosure, dissemination, or publication.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

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

Name: Daniel S. Pine National Institute of Mental Health Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience Address 15K North Drive Building 15K, Room 110 Bethesda, MD 20892-2370 Telephone Number: (301) 594.1318 http://www.section508.gov/ http://www.access-board.gov/508.htm

E-mail address: Daniel.pine@nih.gov

2. 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.

3. 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

4. The Government may unilaterally change the COR designation for this contract.