MSC JEFO_5-8-2020_signed_R.pdf

OCCS helps to coordinate, integrate, and standardize the vast array of computer services available throughout all of the organizations comprising NLM. OCCS also serves as a technological resource for other parts of the NLM and for other Federal organizations with biomedical, statistical, and administrative computing needs.

The Application Branch and Medical Language Branch within OCCS, plan, research, design, deploy, operate, and maintain state-of-the art online health information applications to support the NLM mission. Both branches provide consulting and technical support services to NLM divisions and external organizations. They develop, enhance, and operate software applications such as the Unified Medical Language System, the RxNorm system, the Medical Subject Headings system, the MedlinePlus application, and the MedlinePlus Connect application to manage, produce, and disseminate controlled medical vocabularies and classifications; and provide qualified health care information to the general public. The Application Branch also provides services to library business, such as Classification, the Indexing Management System (IMS), the Integrated Library System (Voyager) support, Outreach activities systems, the DOCLINE system [NLM's automated interlibrary loan (ILL) request routing and referral system], etc. In addition, there is a section within the Application Branch that also maintains leading edge systems and technologies to support library operations. The two branches coordinate and administer all aspects of operational information delivery systems.

The Network Engineering Section (NES) within the Systems Technology Branch (STB) of OCCS is responsible for all network-related issues including future plans, evaluation of equipment, and network security.

The Systems Services Section (SSS) within STB is responsible for administering, managing, and efficiently utilizing NLM/OCCS computer equipment, and its operating systems, languages and associated software. The SSS also implements new or improved operating systems languages and associated software; and selects and acquires computing and telecommunications equipment and features.

This action increases task hours under the current services being performed by the Medical Science and Computing, Inc.;

HHSN316201300006W_HHSN27600007. The period of performance, including options, is 9/24/2017 - 9/23/2020. The exact need for the increased hours is discussed through this document.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

a. Project title. Application Development and Infrastructure – Platform Support for the Office of Computer and Communications Systems (OCCS), National Library of Medicine (NLM)

b. Project description. The requirement is to acquire software development, system and database administration, application Security and network security, subject matter expertise, and other related continuing and recurring complex IT support services. Contractor support is required for the continued growth and evolution of the OCCS activities in application development, medical vocabularies control processing, information systems, infrastructure support, security, and information dissemination. See a complete description in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

Requirement type.

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services Support services (non-R&D) Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build Other (specify): ____________________

Type of action.

New requirement Follow-on Other (specify): ______________________

Proposed contract/order type.

Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee): __________ Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee): ___________ Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________ Completion Form Term form

Acquisition identification number.

HHSN316201300006W_HHSN27600007

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period. The total amount of the task order, including all options is $27,723,964.75.

This action to add additional hours and Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) is estimated at $356,939.29. This will increase the ceiling amount to approximately $28,080,903.99.

4. Identification of the exception to fair opportunity (see 16.505(b)(2)) and the supporting rationale, including a demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the exception cited. If the contracting officer uses the logical follow-on exception, the rationale shall describe why the relationship between the initial order and the follow-on is logical (e.g., in terms of scope, period of performance, or value).

(A) The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

(B) Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

(C) The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

The contractor has unique qualifications providing services to the National Library of Medicine from qualified and experienced personnel to support the system administration, programming and maintenance of NLM projects and initiatives. Personnel for the anticipated work shall include but are not limited to Software Developers and System Administrator. The support encompasses but is not limited to the following:

Data management, including data collection, processing, transformation, verification, and maintenance using Shell script, or Python Relational database design; Developing applications using open-source products; Administration of CentOS Linux operating systems on servers and workstations including end-user support, configuration, performance tuning and security; Administration of Microsoft Windows servers and maintenance of applications on .NET framework; and Administration of ESRI ArcGIS server.

In Medical Science & Computing, LLC (MSC)’s long experience in supporting systems administration, programming and maintenance of NLM projects and initiatives, it was found important that the Contractor demonstrate agility and responsiveness in hiring and reassigning qualified people to adjust to changing needs in vocabulary production; MSC has a proven track record of doing that.

In addition, MSC has strong NLM biomedical content experience, which includes experience managing content in the UMLS, RxNorm, and SNOMED

CT. MSC has staff readily available who have demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the area of data management and relational database design.

The need for this increase in effort, was due to the undertaking of an additional task from one of our stakeholders. The task needed fits within the scope of this MSC task order that is already in place. Incorporating this increase in effort to this task order, prevents procuring a duplicated requirement and a gap in services needed.

(D) It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

(E) For orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source.

5. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable. As this requirement was procured under the NITAAC CIOSP3-SB contract vehicle, and from history of the same or similar requirements, the labor rates and prices were determined realistic and reasonable with a low risk at award. This action will use those same rates that were already determined fair and reasonable and thus are still reasonable for these additional task hours necessary.

6. Any other facts supporting the justification. NLM has canvased other potential vendors and determined that this vendor and its present scope of work was inclusive of the necessary tasks which can accommodate this effort. This task also represents the best value for the government with the redistribution of requirements.

Since OCCS has a contract in place that involves systems administration, programming and maintenance of NLM projects and initiatives; it was determined that incorporating these tasks would be in the best interests of the National Library of Medicine.

7. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the exception to fair opportunity before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made. This action was due to an unanticipated need. Any future procurements for these services will be competed to give interested and capable vendors a fair opportunity to compete.