MSL TECH SVCS SoW v4.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

NIST Mass Spectral Libraries Technical Services

I. BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), Biomolecular Measurement Division (BMD) in Gaithersburg, MD is responsible for the development of chemical databases to accomplish NIST’s mission to carry out collection, compilation, critical evaluation, publication and sale of standard reference data in accordance with Public Law 90-396. 90th Congress, H.R. 6279, July 11, 1968.

The chemical databases provide standard reference data for laboratories, both within NIST and to the worldwide scientific community. The Mass Spectrometry Data Center (MSDC), a component of the BMD, is responsible for the development of the NIST/EPA/NIH Mass Spectral Library as well as the Tandem Mass Spectral Library (“the Libraries”, https://www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-1a). MSDC also develops software tools including NIST MS Search, MS Interpreter, Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution & Identification System (AMDIS), MS PepSearch, and Lib2NIST Library Conversion Tool (“associated Software”, https://chemdata.nist.gov/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=chemdata:nistlibs).

II. PURPOSE

The Contractor shall provide a range of long-term technical assistance to the MSDC for the Libraries and associated Software.

III. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

General: The Contractor shall conduct activities aimed at serving the needs of the broad community of users of the Libraries and the associated Software.

These users include instrument manufacturers and software firms that incorporate the Libraries and the associated Software into their products, as well as analytical chemists who rely on the Libraries and the associated Software as an aid to the identification of chemical compounds using mass spectrometry.

Task 1: The Contractor shall carry out technical functions designed to better serve users of the Libraries and the associated Software.

Activities shall include the following:

(1) Participation in end user/distributor group workshops at conferences, user/distributor facilities, or contractor facilities, and the Libraries and https://www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-1a https://www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-1a https://chemdata.nist.gov/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=chemdata:nistlibs associated Software tutoring demonstrations at large conferences (virtual or in-person).

The annual American Society of Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) conference where the NIST mass spectral library release occurs every three years (last released in 2023) and the MSDC has a yearly booth shall be the main conference attended.

The designated NIST MSDC Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) must approve attendance at any conference other than ASMS.

For the Libraries and associated Software demonstrations at conferences, the Contractor shall coordinate with MSDC to participate in workshops or the Libraries and associated Software demonstrations organized by MSDC. The Contractor shall design and deliver presentations highlighting differences in library releases, software updates, or applications of the Libraries and associated Software specific for different groups of users. Although a formal presentation is not required, the Contractor should have material such as PowerPoint slides or handouts available to aid in discussions with users. The MSDC will review presentation material prior to being presented.

(2) Preparation of documentation (manuals, application notes, read me files, etc) in MS Word or other text format for updates of the Libraries and associated Software. Major updates occur every three years with the release of the new version of the Libraries. Minor updates may annually occur in between releases and are requested by MSDC based upon distributor/end user feedback or needs.

Task 2: The Contractor shall create a FAQs document in MS Word that represents the questions received and the answers to these questions provided by the Contractor to these questions that are frequently asked during the period of performance. Approximately 65-115 questions are expected to be received either through email, phone calls, or face-to-face interactions at conferences, user/distributor facilities, or contractor facilities. The document shall be updated annually by the Contractor in the final month of each performance period and submitted to the MSDC COR for MSDC use in answering similar questions received. The Contractor shall compile distributors’ recommendations for changes in the Libraries and/or associated Software and prepare technical materials such as directions on how to execute specific tasks using the Libraries and associated Software for MSDC and/or distributors to distribute to end users.

Task 3: The Contractor shall research and provide recommendations on the development of methods for using the Libraries and associated Software with commercial data systems – interfacing the associated Software to commercial instruments.

The Contractor shall:

(1) be knowledgeable regarding different types of instruments for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) that can use the Libraries and the associated Software. Each year, new product developments for these instruments shall be investigated to learn how these instruments are using and can use the Libraries and the associated Software.

(2) conduct market research via direct communication with distributors (both instrument manufacturers and software developers) and end users. Based upon the market research conducted, identify and report to MSDC on how the Libraries and associated Software could be modified to improve performance on new or updated commercial GC-MS and LC-MS systems.

The report to MSDC shall include suggestions for improvements to the Libraries and associated Software arising from the market research.

(3) prepare new or update existing specialized documentation (specific for each equipment manufacturer) and procedure language programs to assist commercial users of the Libraries and the associated Software to more efficiently use the Libraries and the associated Software on their existing systems. For this activity the Contractor shall assume the quantity will be between 3-6. This will require the Contractor to become familiar with the various data formats provided by distributors and, when necessary, contact distributors for further information concerning the operation of their systems.

Task 4: The Contractor shall respond to email inquiries (approximately 50-100 per year) received from distributors or end users requiring technical expertise.

In addition, the Contractor shall aid MSDC in resolving any violations of the distributor agreement with distributors (such as not reporting sales of the Libraries). MSDC is responsible for issuing, monitoring, and determining violations of the distributor agreements. The Contractor shall report to NIST any concerns reported by users or discovered while responding to their inquiries about possible problems with The Libraries or the associated Software.

IV. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Services shall be primarily performed at the Contractor’s worksite, unless in a travel status where services shall be performed at the ASMS venue or NIST campus.

V. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Year - 24 September 2023 – 23 September 2024 Option Year One - 24 September 2024 – 23 September 2025 Option Year Two - 24 September 2025 – 23 September 2026 Option Year Three – 24 September 2026 – 24 September 2027 Option Year Four – 24 September 2027 – 24 September 2028

VI. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, DATA AND/OR INFORMATION

Any property, data and/or information provided by the Government during performance remains the property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the Government upon completion or termination of this requirement.

Likewise, all deliverables generated hereunder remain the property of the Government.

Post award, NIST will provide to the Contractor copies of all the current releases. Advance copies of all prereleases/releases of the Libraries and the associated Software will be provided to the Contractor for review at least 30 days prior to release to the public so that the Contractor can be prepared to respond to email inquiries. NIST will also provide the Contractor with the names and contact information of the distributors and old releases of the Libraries and associated Software necessary to meet distributor needs.

VII. DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall submit a monthly report to the MSDC COR via e-mail every month post award. The report shall include details of the prior period’s activities for Tasks 1-4. In addition, the Contractor shall submit the following deliverables:

Task Description Format Due Date 1 A copy of the presentations delivered at formal user group and distributor group workshops and informal demonstration sessions at conferences and meetings

MS Word /

MS

PowerPoint format

After the conference/ workshop

1 Documentation for Library updates MS Word / Text format

April 2026 for major update and 30 days after request for minor updates

2 FAQs Document MS Word format

Annually

3 Specialized documentation created or updated

MS Word / Text format

Annually

4 Carbon copies of e-mails sent in response to inquiries or regarding any violations of a distributor agreement to massspec@nist.gov and/or the MSDC COR

E-mail As sent mailto:massspec@nist.gov

The Contractor shall submit deliverables to the MSDC COR via e-mail. The MSDC COR will provide comments via e-mail on each deliverable within 14 calendar days from receipt if there are any issues with the deliverable. The Contractor shall make any needed revisions to the deliverable and submit the revised deliverable via e-mail within 14 calendar days from receipt of comments from the MSDC COR. The MSDC COR will provide written notification via e-mail to the Contractor when a deliverable is accepted.

VIII. TRAVEL

The Contractor shall travel once a year to either the NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus or the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) conference to meet with MSDC staff to resolve relevant distributor needs (any suggestions for software/library improvements from distributors, fixing any errors distributors/users have detected and asked questions about, etc.) and discuss issues related to the creation of library documentation. The trip will be a week or less in duration. NIST will provide at least three weeks’ notice before the trip.

Prior approval from the Contracting Officer is required in these scenarios:

lodging in excess of the government rate, airline/rental car upgrades, medical accommodations, driving instead of flying to destinations outside local travel, multiple destinations in a single trip, or trips longer than a week in duration. Prior approval is requested by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer via the MSDC COR. At a minimum, include the justification and documented cost comparison.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed per the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR).

Only travel costs allowable under FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs will be reimbursed. All travel costs are subject to the reimbursement limitations set forth in FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs and any limitations established by the terms of an order. When requesting reimbursement for travel costs, the Contractor shall submit an invoice with a detailed breakout of the reimbursable travel costs.

The Contractor shall make every effort to keep travel costs to a minimum.

IX. CONTRACTOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum requirements for the key personnel shall include but are not limited to: (a) a degree of B.S. or an equivalent in chemistry with a demonstrated expertise (via multiple presentations, publications, and/or documentation) in mass spectrometry, the NIST mass spectral libraries and the associated Software; and (b) at least two years of experience in mass spectrometers on the technical and commercial level demonstrated through publications (online and/or peer reviewed).