RFQ_BPA_Contract_Research_Org.pdf

Request for Quotes Contract Research Organization - For the Housing, Care and Support of Nonhuman Primate Biomedical Research

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war.

We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good.

We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

Additional information regarding USU can be found on our website: www.usuhs.mil.

USU has a requirement to establish a three (3) year single-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for services of a Contract Research Organization - for the Housing, Care and Support of Nonhuman Primate Biomedical Research.

These services have not been previously procured.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This is a request for quotes (RFQ) for commercial items in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures, to include FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. This RFQ incorporates all provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-95 (January 19, 2017) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) (December 22, 2016).

In order to be eligible for award, offerors must be registered in www.SAM.gov, with completed representations and certifications by the close date of the solicitation.

Offerors interested in responding to this requirement must provide a quote for the requested services outlined in the statement of work. A single-award three (3) year BPA will be awarded.

Statement of Work

For the Housing, Care and Support of Nonhuman Primate Biomedical Research

Contract Research Organization (CRO) requirements:

• Currently fully AAALAC accredited and assured through OLAW. The facility must be officially registered with the USDA for research and transport.

• 3 year BPA with access to full catalog of services provided for NHPs.

• Allow prior award facility inspection by Department of Defense (DoD) Laboratory Animal

Medicine (LAM) Veterinarians and post-award inspections upon request http://www.usuhs.mil/

• Capable of housing nonhuman primates (NHP) by 1 November 17

• Capable of housing a minimum of 20 NHPs and maximum of 80 NHPs daily ranging from 3 kg to

15 kg

• Capable of minimizing total quarantine period/acclimation period of NHPs to 31 days if animals are considered healthy for study

• Preferably within 40 miles of AFRRI (Bethesda, MD)

• Capable of providing 4.3 sf caging, Preferable 6.0 sf or equivalent caging

• Per diem costs include:

1. NHP Chow approved by VSD/AFRRI.

2. Regularly scheduled Fresh Fruit and Vegetables approved by VSD/AFRRI.

3. Regularly scheduled cleaning and Sanitation program approved by VSD/AFRRI for primary and secondary enclosures.

4. Twice daily observation

5. Enrichment Program approved by VSD/AFRRI.

• Animal rooms large enough to house a minimum of 16 animals, a NHP chair, scale, work table and have the ability to allow 3 people to chair NHPs and work comfortably in the room.

• Capable of providing protocol support including but not limited to:

1. Physical exam – utilizing DoD PE form, TB testing

2. Supportive care: including but not limited to – catheter placement; injections: IV, IM, SQ, ID; oral medication; oral gavage; supplemental food and fluids;

3. Pole and collar training and support

4. Blood collection in awake chaired or sedated NHP

5. Blood transfusion in sedated NHP

6. Providing sedation as needed in accordance with the protocol

7. Skilled critical period observation, documentation, assessment and response based upon protocol criteria

8. Euthanasia in accordance with the most recently approved versions of the IACUC approved scientific protocol, the Guide, and the AVMA guidelines

9. Surgical telemetry implantation under anesthesia

10. Determination of body widths for irradiation dose

11. Monitor/record data from telemetry implants

12. Intra-facility transport in secure caging

• Capable of providing diagnostic support including but not limited to:

o Drawing blood for - CBC, Chemistry Panel, Serology – viral, cytokines, etc; Fecals (ova, parasites, aerobic and anaerobic culture/sensitivity); Urinalysis - Cystocentesis, urinary catheterization, urine collection; radiographs; CTs; Pathology support – Necropsy/Clinical Support

• Capable of providing appropriate storage for diagnostic samples:

o Refrigerator 4C; Freezer -70C

• Preferable – the ability to allow AFRRI investigators, veterinarians and technicians to conduct protocol and diagnostic support described above utilizing either CRO equipment or AFRRI equipment either as primary support or in conjunction with the CRO personnel

• Capable of providing CRO vehicular transportation for NHPs up to a maximum of 16 animals per day.

1. Capable of providing an appropriately trained CRO veterinary technician, with appropriate CRO medical equipment and supplies to travel with NHPs during transportation.

2. Capable of allowing an approved AFRRI veterinary technician, with AFRRI medical equipment and supplies to travel with NHPs during transportation.

3. Capable of allowing either or both a CRO and AFRRI veterinary technician to travel with the NHPs during transportation.

• Preferable – allow AFRRI/USUHS to provide vehicular transportation of AFRRI NHPs to and from the CRO o Vehicular transportation may be for initial transportation, final transportation or for protocol support and involve round trips to and from AFRRI for irradiation or other protocol support (irradiation, CT scan, etc)

• Capable of providing CRO transportation for NHP blood multiple times per day from CRO facility to Walter Reed Naval Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) for irradiation.

• Preferable – allow AFRRI/USUHS to provide transportation of NHP blood multiple times per day to WRNMMC for irradiation.

• Option: Please provide information on capability to house and transport mini-pigs.

USU would like the access to the CRO’s entire list of services for NHPs. Interested offerors should include pricing (and discount rate) information on the entire catalog of CRO services for NHPs. USU reserves the right to request the addition of services as they are identified.

The awarded BPA will have a period of performance of three (3) years.

DBIDS (Base Access): Effective 31 August 2017, NSA- Bethesda and all Navy Installations within the United States and OCONUS Navy Facilities will be transitioning to the Defense Biometric Identification System. The Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) increases installation security and communicates by receiving frequent database updates on changes to personnel/ credential status, law enforcement warrants, lost/stolen cards, and force protection conditions.

The following is required to obtain a DBIDS credential:

• Present a letter or official document from a U.S Government sponsor or sponsoring organization that provides the purpose for your access

• Present a completed copy of the SECNAV5512 /1 and NSAB 5512 Form to NSAB Pass & ID Office.

• Present a valid identification, such as a passport or Real ID Act- compliant state driver’s license.

• Upon completion of a NCIC background check, the NSAB Pass & ID Office will complete the

DBIDS enrollment process, which includes your photo, finger prints, base restriction, and several other assessments. After the vetting process has been successfully completed a new DBIDS credential will be issued to the applicant.

For additional questions about obtaining a DBIDS credential. Please contact the USU Security Office at 301-295-3033 or NSAB Pass & ID Office at 301-295-4067.

DoD-wide Contractor Manpower Reporting Requirements: The contractor shall report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for USU via a secure data collection site. The contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address: http://www.ecmra.mil/.

Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government fiscal year (FY), which runs October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than 31 October for the period of performance of the preceding fiscal year. Contractors may direct questions to the help desk at help desk at:

http://www.ecmra.mil.”

Evaluation

The government intends to award a single-award three (3) year BPA to the offeror representing the best value to the government based on the evaluation factors listed below. A listing of offered services, prices and value-added options for NHPs must be included with quote submission. Evaluation factors are listed in order of importance, with most important listed first. The government will conduct a trade-off between price and non-price factors. The Government is not required to award to the lowest priced offeror or the highest technically rated offeror.

The government reserves the right to award without discussions.

Offerors responding to this RFQ, must submit quotes in accordance with the page limitations listed for each evaluation factor. Offerors who submit quotes in excess of the page limitations listed for each evaluation factor, may not be considered for award.

Quote organization:

Font Size: 11 Minimum Font Type: Calibri, Times New Roman and/or any other “similar” font type

Evaluation Factors (listed in order of importance):

• Technical Approach - Offerors are required to submit their technical approach to meeting the requirements outlined in the statement of work. This must include all documents as required in the statement of work that show your company is currently AAALAC accredited and otherwise meets all other capabilities and requirements. Offerors must display a clear understanding of the requirements for NHP Housing, Care and Support. Quotes submitted by offerors who fail to demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirement may not be considered further.

Quotes submitted by offerors that include the following statement, or similar, without any supporting information, may be determined to not have a clear understanding of the requirement and may not be considered:

“The offeror understands the requirements and the submitted quote has met all stated objectives.”

Maximum Number of Pages: 12 http://www.ecmra.mil/ http://www.ecmra.mil/

• Corporate Experience: Offerors are required to provide a narrative of their corporate experience in the Housing, Care and Support of Nonhuman Primate Biomedical Research. Experience working with military research institutions may be considered more desirable by the Government.

Maximum Number of Pages: 3

• Past Performance: The Government shall evaluate the offeror’s present and past performance on similar services completed within the past three years. Offerors must provide a minimum of two (2) customer references or CPARS reports for similar work performed. The Government reserves the right to select which reference(s) to contact. The following must be provided for each listed reference:

a. Name of client and address

b. Name of current point of contact including telephone number , e-mail address and title

c. Contract number

d. Contract value

e. Contract period of performance

f. A clear description of the supplies/services provided

USU may request additional information at any time.

Offerors will have an opportunity to address any adverse past performance history. Offerors who do not have any past performance history will not be rated favorably or unfavorably, but will instead receive a Neutral/Unknown rating for past performance. Offerors must clearly state in their quote if they do not have at least two (2) past performance references. Failure to provide this information may render an offeror’s quote non-responsive and may not be considered for award.

A strong history of relevant past performance providing NHP Housing, Care and Support may be more advantageous to the Government than a less relevant record of favorable performance.

Offerors may provide past performance information for subcontractors and must provide the same level of detail as outlined above; however past performance information for the prime will be considered more important to the Government. The Government reserves the right to use data provided by the offeror and data provided by alternative sources in conducting its assessment of past performance history.

Maximum Number of Pages: 3

1. Price: Offerors must providing pricing for the following services:

a. Per diem rates for NHPs

b. List of services and list pricing for all services provided for NHP Housing, Care and

Support

c. Percentage discount provided USU off CRO list prices (Interested offerors must include a worksheet that shows the entire list of services provided for NHP Housing, Care and Support and any discounted rates applied for each service);

d. Hourly bill rates broken down into labor categories for services;

e. Itemized costs including corresponding respective rates, e.g. labor, fuel, transportation, etc. Offerors must include all other applicable costs they deem pertinent and necessary;

f. Explanation and example of how your company will invoice and provide service utilization information at the completion of each billing period, broken out by each billed item; and

g. Include a statement that VISA is an acceptable form of payment, with no additional service fees.

No Page Limitation

The resultant award will be a three (3) year single-award blanket purchase agreement.

Offerors must submit the following with their quote, if not completed in SAM registration:

• Competed copy of provision 52.209-2

• Completed copy of provision 52.222-52

See attached list for applicable provisions and clauses for this requirement including fill-in clauses.

Deadlines:

Questions/clarifications regarding this solicitation must be submitted via email to carolyn.randolph@usuhs.edu by 9 August 2017. Any question received after 9 August 2017 will not be answered. Questions will not be answered over the phone or submitted by any other means. All questions will be answered in an amendment to the solicitation posted on or around 11 August 2017.

Quote packages are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Local Time on 18 August 2017. Quotes must be submitted via email to carolyn.randolph@usuhs.edu. Quotes will not be accepted by any other means. Late quotes will not be considered. Offerors will receive an email confirmation that their quote was received and whether it was on time or late within two (2) business days.

Quote packages should include a cover sheet that provides the following information:

• Company Name

• Point of Contact, to include email and phone number

• DUNS Number

• Statement that includes acknowledgement of latest amendment number (if applicable). Failure to acknowledge the most recent amendment number, may render an offeror’s quote non-responsive.

mailto:carolyn.randolph@usuhs.edu