N43DA-16-8925_SBIR_Solicitation.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS), THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM

PROGRAM SOLICITATION PHS 2016-3

NIDA REFERENCE NUMBER N43DA-16-8925

Closing Date: April 20, 2015, 4:30PM Eastern Time

Participating HHS Components:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

IMPORTANT

Deadline for Receipt: Proposals must be received by April 20, 2015 4:30PM Eastern Time Solicitation Changes:

As a result of program reauthorization, the solicitation has been EXTENSIVELY rewritten and follows the changes of the SBIR/STTR reauthorization. Please read the entire solicitation carefully prior to submitting your proposal.

Please go to http://www.sbir.gov/about/sbir-policy-directive to read the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive issued by the Small Business Administration.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

NIDA invites small business concerns to submit research proposals under this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract Solicitation. Firms with the capability to conduct research and development (R&D) in the health related topic area described in Section 12.0, and to commercialize the results of that R&D, are encouraged to participate.

All firms that are awarded Phase I contracts originating from this solicitation will be eligible to participate in Phases II and III. NIDA will notify Phase I awardees of the Phase II proposal submission requirements. Submission of Phase II proposals will be in accordance with date provided in the solicitation instructions. The details on the due date, content, and submission requirements of the Phase II proposal will be provided by NIDA either in the Phase I award or by subsequent notification.

The HHS is not obligated to make any awards under Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III, and all awards are subject to the availability of funds. HHS is not responsible for any monies expended by the offeror before award of any contract.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Objectives The objectives of the SBIR program include stimulating technological innovation in the private sector, strengthening the role of small business in meeting Federal R/R&D needs, increasing private sector commercialization of innovations developed through Federal SBIR R&D, increasing small business participation in Federal R&D, and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in the SBIR program.

The basic design of the NIH SBIR program is in accordance with the Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR Program Policy Directive dated October 18, 2012. This SBIR Contract solicitation strives to encourage scientific and technical innovation in the area specifically identified by the NIH awarding component. The guidelines presented in this solicitation reflect the flexibility provided in the Policy Directive to encourage proposals based on scientific and technical approaches most likely to yield results important to the NIH and to the private sector.

Three Phase Program The SBIR program consists of three separate phases. The award amount and duration listed below represent the guidelines for this SBIR proposal.

Phase I: Feasibility; $225,000; 8 months The objective of Phase I is to determine the scientific or technical feasibility and commercial merit of the proposed research or R&D efforts and the quality of performance of the small business concern, prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. This Phase I award normally may not exceed $225,000 for direct costs, indirect costs, and profit (fixed fee) for a period normally not to exceed 8 months.

Phase II: Full R/R&D Effort; $1,500,000; 1 year The objective of Phase II is to continue the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding shall be based on the results of Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II proposal. This Phase II award normally may not exceed $1,500,000 for direct costs, indirect costs, and profit (fixed fee) for a period normally not to exceed one year. Phase I contractors will be informed of the opportunity to apply for Phase II. Only one Phase II award may result from a single Phase I SBIR contract.

Phase III: Commercialization stage without SBIR funds The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is for the small business concern to pursue with non-SBIR funds the commercialization objectives resulting from the outcomes of the research or R&D funded in Phases I and II. Phase III may involve follow-on, non-SBIR funded R&D or production contracts for products or processes intended for use by the U.S. Government.

The competition for SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards satisfies any competition requirement of the Armed Services Procurement Act, the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, and the Competition in Contracting Act. Therefore, an agency that wishes to fund an SBIR Phase III project is not required to conduct another competition in order to satisfy those statutory provisions. As a result, in conducting actions relative to a Phase III SBIR award, it is sufficient to state for purposes of a Justification and Approval pursuant to FAR 6.302-5 that the project is a SBIR Phase III award that is derived from, extends, or logically concludes efforts performed under prior SBIR funding agreements and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2304(b)(2) or 41 U.S.C. 253(b)(2).

The NIH is interested in developing products and services via the SBIR program that improve the health of the American people. In its commitment to also support Executive Order 13329, encouraging innovation in manufacturing-related research and development, NIH seeks, through the SBIR program, biomedical research related to advanced processing, manufacturing processes, equipment and systems; or manufacturing workforce skills and protection. This solicitation includes some topic areas that are considered relevant to manufacturing-related R&D. Additional information will be posted on the NIH Small Business Research Funding Opportunities Web site and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts as it becomes available. Small businesses may be interested in reading a U.S. Department of Commerce 2004 report, "Manufacturing in America: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers".

Awarding Components The following awarding components are participating in this SBIR Solicitation for Contract Proposals.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Component:

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

DEFINITIONS

General Definitions The following definitions from the SBA Policy Directive and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) apply for the purposes of this solicitation:

8(a) Small Business Concern. A small business concern that is owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual and that has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the 8(a) Business Development Program (see 13 CFR 124).

Act. The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631, et seq.), as amended.

Applicant. The organizational entity that qualifies as an SBC at all pertinent times and that submits a contract proposal or a grant application for a funding agreement under the SBIR Program.

Affiliate. This term has the same meaning as set forth in 13 CFR part 121—Small Business Size Regulations, section 121.103. What is affiliation? (Available at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=03878acee7c064a02cac0d870e00ef43;rgn=div6;view=text;node=13%3A1.0.1.1.17.1;idno=13;cc=ecfr.) Further information about SBA's affiliation rules and a guide on affiliation is available at www.SBIR.gov and www.SBA.gov/size.

Awardee. The organizational entity receiving an SBIR Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III award.

Commercialization. The process of developing products, processes, technologies, or services and the production and delivery (whether by the originating party or others) of the products, processes, technologies, or services for sale to or use by the Federal government or commercial markets.

Consultant. An individual who provides professional advice or services for a fee, but normally not as an employee of the engaging party. In unusual situations, an individual may be both a consultant and an employee of the same party, receiving compensation for some services as a consultant and for other work as a salaried employee. To prevent apparent or actual conflicts of interest, grantees and consultants must establish written guidelines indicating the conditions of payment of consulting fees. Consultants may also include firms that provide paid professional advice or services.

Contract. An award instrument establishing a binding legal procurement relationship between a funding agency and the recipient, obligating the latter to furnish an end product or service and binding the agency to provide payment therefore.

Cooperative Agreement. A financial assistance mechanism used when substantial Federal programmatic involvement with the awardee during performance is anticipated by the issuing agency. The Cooperative Agreement contains the responsibilities and respective obligations of the parties.

Covered Small Business Concern. A small business concern that:

Was not majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies (VCOCs), hedge funds, or private equity firms on the date on which it submitted an application in response to a solicitation under the SBIR program; and Is majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms on the date of the SBIR award.

Direct to Phase II. A new pilot authority under P.L. 112-81 that allows NIH to issue a Phase II award to a small business concern that did not receive a Phase I award for that research/research & development, if the small business had performed the Phase I stage-type of research through other funding sources (non SBIR/STTR). This solicitation will NOT accept Direct to Phase II applications.

Essentially Equivalent Work. Work that is substantially the same research, which is proposed for funding in more than one contract proposal or grant application submitted to the same Federal agency or submitted to two or more different Federal agencies for review and funding consideration; or work where a specific research objective and the research design for accomplishing the objective are the same or closely related to another proposal or award, regardless of the funding source.

Extramural Budget. The sum of the total obligations for R/R&D minus amounts obligated for R/R&D activities by employees of a Federal agency in or through Government-owned, Government-operated facilities. For the Agency for International Development, the “extramural budget” must not include amounts obligated solely for general institutional support of international research centers or for grants to foreign countries. For the Department of Energy, the “extramural budget” must not include amounts obligated for atomic energy defense programs solely for weapons activities or for naval reactor programs. (Also see section 7(i) of this Policy Directive for additional exemptions related to national security.)

Feasibility. The practical extent to which a project can be performed successfully.

Federal Agency. An executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 105, and a military department as defined in 5 U.S.C. 102 (Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force), except that it does not include any agency within the Intelligence Community as defined in Executive Order 12333, section 3.4(f), or its successor orders.

Federal Laboratory. As defined in 15 U.S.C. § 3703, means any laboratory, any federally funded research and development center, or any center established under 15 U.S.C. §§ 3705 & 3707 that is owned, leased, or otherwise used by a Federal agency and funded by the Federal Government, whether operated by the Government or by a contractor.

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Fraud includes any false representation about a material fact or any intentional deception designed to deprive the United States unlawfully of something of value or to secure from the United States a benefit, privilege, allowance, or consideration to which an individual or business is not entitled.

Waste includes extravagant, careless or needless expenditure of Government funds, or the consumption of Government property, that results from deficient practices, systems, controls, or decisions.

Abuse includes any intentional or improper use of Government resources, such as misuse of rank, position, or authority or resources.

Funding Agreement. Any contract, grant, or cooperative agreement entered into between any Federal agency and any SBC for the performance of experimental, developmental, or research work, including products or services, funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government.

Funding Agreement Officer. A contracting officer, a grants officer, or a cooperative agreement officer.

Grant. A financial assistance mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity. A grant is used whenever the Federal agency anticipates no substantial programmatic involvement with the awardee during performance.

HUBZone Small Business Concern. A small business concern that appears on the List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 126.103). HUBZone Small Business Concerns are located in historically underutilized business zones, in an effort to increase employment opportunities, investment, and economic development in those areas.

Innovation. Something new or improved, having marketable potential, including: (1) Development of new technologies: (2) refinement of existing technologies: or (3) development of new applications for existing technologies.

Intellectual Property. The separate and distinct types of intangible property that are referred to collectively as “intellectual property,” including but not limited to: (1) Patents; (2) trademarks; (3) copyrights; (4) trade secrets; (5) SBIR technical data (as defined in this section); (6) ideas; (7) designs; (8) know-how; (9) business; (10) technical and research methods; (11) other types of intangible business assets; and (12) all types of intangible assets either proposed or generated by an SBC as a result of its participation in the SBIR Program.

Joint Venture. See 13 CFR 121.103(h).

Key Individual. The principal investigator/project manager and any other person named as a “key” employee in a proposal submitted in response to a program solicitation.

Principal Investigator/Project Manager. The one individual designated by the applicant to provide the scientific and technical direction to a project supported by the funding agreement.

Program Solicitation. A formal solicitation for proposals issued by a Federal agency that notifies the small business community of its R/R&D needs and interests in broad and selected areas, as appropriate to the agency, and requests proposals from SBCs in response to these needs and interests. Announcements in the Federal Register or the GPE are not considered an SBIR Program solicitation.

Proprietary Information. Proprietary information is information that you provide which constitutes a trade secret, proprietary commercial or financial information, confidential personal information or data affecting the national security.

Prototype. A model of something to be further developed, which includes designs, protocols, questionnaires, software, and devices.

SBIR Participants. Business concerns that received SBIR awards or that submitted SBIR proposals/applications.

SBIR Technical Data. All data generated during the performance of an SBIR award.

SBIR Technical Data rights. The rights an SBIR awardee obtains in data generated during the performance of any SBIR Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III award that an awardee delivers to the Government during or upon completion of a Federally-funded project, and to which the Government receives a license.

Senior/Key Personnel. The PD/PI and other individuals who contribute to the scientific development or execution of the project in a substantive, measurable way, whether or not salaries or compensation are requested under the contract.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern. A small business concern not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran. Status as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern is determined in accordance with 13 CFR Parts 125.8 through 125.13; also see FAR 19.307.

Small Business Concern. A concern that meets the requirements set forth in 13 CFR 121.702:

To be eligible for award of funding agreements in the SBA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, a business concern must meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) below:

Ownership and control.

1. An SBIR awardee must Be a concern which is more than 50% directly owned and controlled by one or more individuals (who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States), other business concerns (each of which is more than 50% directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States), or any combination of these; OR Be a concern which is more than 50% owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, private equity firms, or any combination of these. No single venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private equity firm may own more than 50% of the concern; OR Be a joint venture in which each entity to the joint venture must meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this section. A joint venture that includes one or more concerns that meet the requirements of paragraph (ii) of this section must comply with § 121.705(b) concerning registration and proposal requirements If an Employee Stock Ownership Plan owns all or part of the concern, SBA considers each stock trustee and plan member to be an owner.

If a trust owns all or part of the concern, SBA considers each trustee and trust beneficiary to be an owner.

Size. An SBIR awardee, together with its affiliates, will not have more than 500 employees.

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged SBC (SDB). See 13 CFR part 124, Subpart B.

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual. See 13 CFR 124.103 and 124.104.

Subcontract. Any agreement, other than one involving an employer-employee relationship, entered into by an awardee of a funding agreement calling for supplies or services for the performance of the original funding agreement.

United States. Means the 50 states, the territories and possessions of the Federal Government, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Women-Owned SBC (WOSB). An SBC that is at least 51% owned by one or more women, or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by women, and women control the management and daily business operations.

Definitions (Relating to R&D) Autopsy Materials. The use of autopsy materials is governed by applicable Federal, state and local law and is not directly regulated by 45 CFR part 46.

Child. The NIH Policy on Inclusion of Children defines a child as an individual under the age of 21 years. The intent of the NIH policy is to provide the opportunity for children to participate in research studies when there is a sound scientific rationale for including them, and their participation benefits children and is appropriate under existing Federal guidelines. Thus, children must be included in NIH conducted or supported clinical research unless there are scientific or ethical reasons not to include them.

HHS Regulations (45 CFR part 46, Subpart D, Sec.401-409) provide additional protections for children involved as subjects in research, based on this definition: "Children are persons who have not attained the legal age for consent to treatments or procedures involved in research, under the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted." Generally, state laws define what constitutes a “child.” Consequently, the age at which a child's own consent is required and sufficient to participate in research will vary according to state law. For example, some states consider a person age 18 to be an adult and therefore one who can provide consent without parental permission.

Clinical Research. NIH defines human clinical research as research with human subjects that is:

Patient-Oriented Research. Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. Patient-oriented research includes:

mechanisms of human disease, therapeutic interventions, clinical studies, or development of new technologies.

Epidemiologic and Behavioral Studies.

Outcomes Research and Health Services Research.

Clinical Trial. The NIH defines a clinical trial as a prospective biomedical or behavioral research study of human subjects that is designed to answer specific questions about biomedical or behavioral interventions (drugs, treatments, devices, or new ways of using known drugs, treatments, or devices).

Clinical trials are used to determine whether new biomedical or behavioral interventions are safe, efficacious, and effective.

Behavioral human subjects research involving an intervention to modify behavior (diet, physical activity, cognitive therapy, etc.) fits this definition of a clinical trial.

Human subjects research to develop or evaluate clinical laboratory tests (e.g. imaging or molecular diagnostic tests) might be considered to be a clinical trial if the test will be used for medical decision making for the subject or the test itself imposes more than minimal risk for subjects.

Biomedical clinical trials of experimental drug, treatment, device or behavioral intervention may proceed through four phases:

Phase I clinical trials test a new biomedical intervention in a small group of people (e.g., 20-80) for the first time to evaluate safety (e.g., to determine a safe dosage range and to identify side effects).

Phase II clinical trials study the biomedical or behavioral intervention in a larger group of people (several hundred) to determine efficacy and to further evaluate its safety.

Phase III studies investigate the efficacy of the biomedical or behavioral intervention in large groups of human subjects (from several hundred to several thousand) by comparing the intervention to other standard or experimental interventions as well as to monitor adverse effects, and to collect information that will allow the intervention to be used safely.

Phase IV studies are conducted after the intervention has been marketed. These studies are designed to monitor effectiveness of the approved intervention in the general population and to collect information about any adverse effects associated with widespread use.

NIH-Defined Phase III Clinical Trial. For the purpose of the Guidelines an NIH-defined Phase III clinical trial is a broadly based prospective Phase III clinical investigation, usually involving several hundred or more human subjects, for the purpose of evaluating an experimental intervention in comparison with a standard or controlled intervention or comparing two or more existing treatments. Often the aim of such investigation is to provide evidence leading to a scientific basis for consideration of a change in health policy or standard of care. The definition includes pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and behavioral interventions given for disease prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy. Community trials and other population-based intervention trials are also included.

Data and Safety Monitoring Plan. For each clinical trial, NIH requires a data and safety monitoring plan that will provide oversight and monitoring to ensure the safety of participants and the validity and integrity of the data. The level of monitoring should be commensurate with the risks and the size and complexity of the clinical trial. A detailed data and safety monitoring plan must be submitted to the contractor’s IRB and subsequently to the funding IC for approval prior to the accrual of human subjects. The reporting of Adverse Events must be reported to the IRB, the NIH funding Institute or Center, and other required entities. This policy requirement is in addition to any monitoring requirements imposed by 45 CFR part 46.

Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). NIH requires the establishment of a Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risk to the participants, and generally for Phase III clinical trials.

Human Subjects. The HHS regulations “Protection of Human Subjects” 45 CFR part 46, administered by OHRP) define a human subject as a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains:

data through intervention or interaction with the individual or identifiable private information Individually Identifiable Private Information. According to its guidance for use of coded specimens, OHRP generally considers private information or specimens to be individually identifiable as defined at 45 CFR 46.102(f) when they can be linked to specific individuals by the investigator(s) either directly or indirectly through coding systems. Conversely, OHRP considers private information or specimens not to be individually identifiable when they cannot be linked to specific individuals by the investigator(s) either directly or indirectly through coding system Intervention includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered (for example, venipuncture) and manipulations of the subject or the subject's environment that are performed for research purposes. (45 CFR 46.102(f)).

Interaction includes communication or interpersonal contact between investigator and subject. (45 CFR 46.102(f)).

Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). An IDE is a regulatory submission that permits clinical investigation of devices. This investigation is exempt from some regulatory requirements.. The term “IDE” stems from the description in 21Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 812.1.

Investigator. The OHRP considers the term investigator to include anyone involved in conducting the research. OHRP does not consider the act of solely providing coded private information or specimens (for example, by a tissue repository) to constitute involvement in the conduct of the research. However, if the individuals who provide coded information or specimens also collaborate on other activities related to the conduct of the research with the investigators who receive such information or specimens, they will be considered to be involved in the conduct of the research. (See OHRP’s Guidance on Research Involving Coded Private Information on Biological Specimens.)

Manufacturing-related R&D as a result of Executive Order 13329. Encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, machines or systems. Four main areas include:

Unit process level technologies that create or improve manufacturing processes including:

fundamental improvements in existing manufacturing processes that deliver substantial productivity, quality, or environmental benefits.

development of new manufacturing processes, including new materials, coatings, methods, and associated practices.

Machine level technologies that create or improve manufacturing equipment, including:

improvements in capital equipment that create increased capability (such as accuracy or repeatability), increased capacity (through productivity improvements or cost reduction), or increased environmental efficiency (safety, energy efficiency, environmental impact).

new apparatus and equipment for manufacturing, including additive and subtractive manufacturing, deformation and molding, assembly and test, semiconductor fabrication, and nanotechnology.

Systems level technologies for innovation in the manufacturing enterprise, including:

advances in controls, sensors, networks, and other information technologies that improve the quality and productivity of manufacturing cells, lines, systems, and facilities.

innovation in extended enterprise functions critical to manufacturing, such as quality systems, resource management, supply change integration, and distribution, scheduling and tracking.

Environment or societal level technologies that improve workforce abilities, productivity, and manufacturing competitiveness, including:

technologies for improved workforce health and safety, such as human factors and ergonomics.

technologies that aid and improve workforce manufacturing skill and technical excellence, such as educational systems incorporating improved manufacturing knowledge and instructional methods.

technologies that enable integrated and collaborative product and process development, including computer-aided and expert systems for design, tolerancing, process and materials selection, life-cycle cost estimation, rapid prototyping, and tooling.

Private information includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, and information that has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and that the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public (for example, a medical record). Private information must be individually identifiable (i.e., the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the information) in order for obtaining the information to constitute research involving human subjects. (45 CFR 46.102(f)) Coded. With respect to private information or human biological specimens, coded means that:

1. identifying information (such as name or social security number) that would enable the investigator to readily ascertain the identity of the individual to whom the private information or specimens pertain has been replaced with a number, letter, symbol or combination thereof (i.e., the code); and a key to decipher the code exists, enabling linkage of the identifying information with the private information or specimens.

Research that involves only coded private information/data or coded human biological specimens may not constitute human subjects research under the HHS human subjects regulations (45 CFR 46) if:

the specimens and/or information/data are not obtained from an interaction/intervention with the subject specifically for the research; and the investigator(s) cannot readily ascertain the identity of the individual(s) to whom the coded private information or specimens pertain (e.g., the researcher's access to subject identities is prohibited).

Individuals who provide coded information or specimens for proposed research and who also collaborate on the research involving such information or specimens are considered to be involved in the conduct of human subjects research.

(See the following guidance from the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) for additional information and examples: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/cdebiol.html.)

Research or Research and Development (R/R&D). Any activity that is:

1. A systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the subject studied;

1. A systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or

1. A systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements.

Research Institution. Any organization located in the United States that is:

A university.

A nonprofit institution as defined in Section 4(5) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

Research Involving Animal Subjects All research involving live, vertebrate animals shall be conducted in accordance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy).

In addition, the research involving live vertebrate animals shall be conducted in accordance with the description set forth in the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) of the contractor's technical proposal, as modified in the Final Proposal Revision (FPR), which is incorporated by reference.

Research Involving Human Subjects All research involving human subjects, to include use of human biological specimens and human data, shall comply with the applicable federal and state laws and agency policy/guidelines for human subject protection.

Exemptions. The six categories of research exempt from the HHS human subject regulations are:

1. Research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices, such as research on regular and special education instructional strategies, or research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods.

Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior, unless:

1. information obtained is recorded in such a manner that human subjects can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; and any disclosure of the human subjects' responses outside the research could reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects' financial standing, employability, or reputation.

Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures, or observation of public behavior that is not exempt under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, if:

1. the human subjects are elected or appointed public officials or candidates for public office; or federal statute(s) require(s) without exception that the confidentiality of the personally identifiable information will be maintained throughout the research and thereafter.

Research involving the collection or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects.

Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or subject to the approval of department or agency heads, and which are designed to study, evaluate, or otherwise examine:

1. Public benefit or service programs;

procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs;

possible changes in or alternatives to those programs or procedures; or possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs.

Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies,

1. if wholesome foods without additives are consumed or if a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules. Any recipient performing research involving recombinant DNA molecules and/or organisms and viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules, dated March 2013 as amended. The guidelines can be found at: http://oba.od.nih.gov/rdna/nih_guidelines_oba.html. Recombinant DNA is defined as (i) molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in living cells or (ii) molecules that result from the replication of those described in (i) above. A listing of the cited regulations is available at: http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/sb/resources/deskreference/quickref/researchrecombinantdna.shtml.

Sex/Gender. Refers to the classification of research subjects in either or both of two categories: male and female. In some cases, representation is unknown, because sex/gender composition cannot be accurately determined (e.g. pooled blood samples or stored specimens without sex/gender designation). In addition, sex/gender classification is based on the self-reporting of participants enrolled in the research study. Investigators should consider the scientific goals of their study when requesting this information, particularly if the research may include individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.

Significant Difference. For purposes of NIH policy, a “significant difference” is a difference that is of clinical or public health importance, based on substantial scientific data. This definition differs from the commonly used “statistically significant difference,” which refers to the event that, for a given set of data, the statistical test for a difference between the effects in two groups achieves statistical significance. Statistical significance depends upon the amount of information in the data set. With a very large amount of information, one could find a statistically significant, but clinically small difference that is of very little clinical importance. Conversely, with less information one could find a large difference of potential importance that is not statistically significant.

PROPOSAL FUNDAMENTALS

Unless otherwise specified, Section 4 applies to both Phase I and Phase II.

Introduction The proposal must provide sufficient information to demonstrate to the evaluator(s) that the proposed work represents an innovative approach to the investigation of an important scientific or engineering problem and is worthy of support under the stated criteria. The proposed research or research and development must be responsive to the chosen topic, although it need not use the exact approach specified in the topic. Anyone contemplating a proposal for work on any specific topic should determine that (a) the technical approach has a reasonable chance of meeting the topic objective, (b) this approach is innovative, not routine, with potential for commercialization and (c) the proposing firm has the capability to implement the technical approach, i.e., has or can obtain people and equipment suitable to the task.

Offeror Eligibility and Performance Requirements To receive SBIR funds, each awardee of a SBIR Phase I or Phase II award must qualify as an SBC at the time of award and at any other time set forth in SBA's regulations at 13 CFR 121.701-121.705. Each Phase I and Phase II awardee must submit a certification stating that it meets the size, ownership and other requirements of the SBIR Program at the time of award, and at any other time set forth in SBA's regulations at 13 CFR 121.701-705.

Each offeror must qualify as a small business for research or research and development purposes and certify to this on the Cover Sheet (Appendix A) of the proposal. For Phase I, a minimum of two-thirds of the research or analytical effort must be performed by the awardee. For Phase II, a minimum of one-half of the research or analytical effort must be performed by the awardee. The percentage of work will be measured by total contract costs less profit/fee. Offeror’s planning to subcontract a significant fraction of their work should verify how it will be measured with their HHS Component contracting officer during contract negotiations. For both Phase I and II, the principal investigator must be primarily employed with the small business firm or the research institution. Primary employment means that more than one half (50%) of the employee's time is spent with the small business. Primary employment with a small business concern precludes full-time employment at another organization. For both Phase I and Phase II, all research or research and development work must be performed by the small business concern and its subcontractors in the United States.

Phase I to Phase II Transition Benchmark. Section 4(a) of the SBIR Policy Directive calls for each Federal agency participating in SBIR to set a Phase I to Phase II transition rate benchmark in response to Section 5165 of the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011. The rate is the minimum required ratio of past Phase II/Phase I awards that an awardee firm must maintain to be eligible for a new Phase I award from a particular agency. The benchmark will apply to those Phase I applicants that have received 20 or more Phase I awards Program-wide. Small businesses can view their transition rate on www.sbir.gov upon completion of registration. When logging in, the Phase I to Phase II transition rate will be displayed in the welcome screen.

The HHS benchmark uses a five-year period and counts an applicant’s total number of Phase I awards over the last five fiscal years, excluding the most recently completed fiscal year; and the total number of Phase II awards over the last five fiscal years, including the most recently completed year. The HHS SBIR Phase I to II Transition Benchmark as published in the Federal Register is:

For all SBIR Program Phase I contract applicants that have received 20 or more Phase I awards over the 5-year period, the ratio of Phase II awards received to Phase I awards received must be at least 0.25.

Multiple Principal Investigators The NIH now provides offerors the opportunity to propose a multiple Principal Investigator (PI) model on research and development contracts. The multiple PI model is intended to supplement, and not replace, the traditional single PI model. The NIH chose this RFP as a candidate for the multiple PI model. Ultimately, the decision to submit a proposal using the multiple PI versus single PI is the decision of the investigators and their institutions. The decision should be consistent with and justified by the scientific goals of the project.

Joint Ventures Joint ventures and limited partnerships are permitted, provided that the entity created qualifies as a small business in accordance with the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. § 631.Majority Ownership in Part by Multiple Venture Capital, Hedge Fund, and Private Equity Firms Majority Ownership in Part by Multiple Venture Capital, Hedge Fund, and Private Equity Firms Small businesses that are owned in majority part by multiple venture capital operating companies (VCOCs), hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to submit proposals for opportunities under this solicitation to the National Institutes of Health components.

SBIR Application Certification for small business concerns majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms Applicant small business concerns that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies (VCOC), hedge funds, or private equity firms (e.g. majority VCOC-owned) are required to submit a “SBIR Application VCOC Certification” at time of their application submission per the SBIR Policy Directive. Follow the instructions below.

1. Download the “SBIR Application VCOC Certification.pdf” at the NIH SBIR Forms webpage.

Answer the 3 questions and check the certification boxes.

The authorized business official must sign the certification.

The signed SBIR Application VCOC Certification must be submitted as part of the Pricing Proposal.

Applicant small business concerns who are more than 50% directly owned and controlled by one or more individuals (who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States), other business concerns (each of which is more than 50% directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States), or any combination of these (i.e. NOT majority VCOC-owned) should NOT fill out the SBIR Application VCOC Certification and should NOT attach it their application package.

Conflicts of Interest Contract awards to firms owned by or employing current or previous Federal Government employees could create conflicts of interest for those employees which may be a violation of federal law. Proposing firms should contact the cognizant Ethics Counselor from the employee’s Government agency for further guidance if in this situation.

Market Research.

The NIH will not support any market research under the SBIR program. Neither will it support studies of the literature that will lead to a new or expanded statement of work. Literature searches where the commercial product is a database are acceptable.

For purposes of the SBIR program, “market research” is the systematic gathering, recording, computing, and analyzing of data about problems relating to the sale and distribution of the subject of the research project. It includes various types of research, such as the size of potential market and potential sales volume, the identification of consumers most apt to purchase the products, and the advertising media most likely to stimulate their purchases. However, “market research” does not include activities under a research plan or protocol that require a survey of the public as part of the objective of the project to determine the impact of the subject of the research on the behavior of individuals.

OMB Clearance Any research proposal involving the collection of information, such as surveys or interviews of 10 or more public respondents will require clearance by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Therefore it is not practical to propose any such activity for Phase I, which in this solicitation only has an eight-month period of performance.

Research Involving Human Subjects The HHS regulations “Protection of Human Subjects” (45 CFR part 46), administered by OHRP) define a human subject as a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains:

data through intervention or interaction with the individual or identifiable private information Notice to Offerors of Requirements of 45 CFR Part 46, Protection of Human Subjects, HHSAR 352.270-4(a) (January 2006)

1. Copies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations for the protection of human subjects, 45 CFR Part 46, are available from the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The regulations provide a systematic means, based on established ethical principles, to safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals who participate as subjects in research activities supported or conducted by the HHS.

The regulations define a…