SOW_for_R.Hirschberg.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

FOR

SUPPORT SERVICES

SCOPE

Under this task order, the contractor will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the Office of the Director, Office of Science Policy. The primary objective is to provide services that will advance the scientific and policy objectives of several on-going OSP activities.

ORGANIZATION

OD Office of Science Policy 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20892

TASKS/SERVICES. The contractor shall provide services relating to activities of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) including development of policy for “Gain-of-Function” research and staffing the Blue Ribbon Panel to Review the 2014 Variola Incident on the NIH Campus, with the possibility of adding other task if the need arises:

· Develop and implement plans for meetings and consultations with the biomedical research community including people from government, academia, industry, and other subject matter experts.

· Provide expert knowledge and analytic support for the preparation of agendas, briefing documents and other reports.

· Serve as NIH’s Subject Matter Expert for the development of conceptual approaches to the evaluation of proposed GOF studies and formulation of USG policy regarding GOF research involving high-consequence pathogens with pandemic potential.

· Provide input regarding topics and subject matter experts that may inform discussions about these matters by NSABB, the government and others;

· Prepare briefing materials and literature analyses as background information to support discussions

· Prepare draft summaries of discussions and reports of deliberations.

· Support NIH staff activities relating to coordination of NSABB and NRC activities, as well as other stakeholder input that will take place during the development of recommendations and policy decisions.

· Provide input regarding the processes that will be used to develop recommendations by the NSABB about GOF research; provide input regarding the processes that will be used to formulate USG policy about GOF research.

· Provide input about the methods and techniques that should be used to incorporate the results of the RA and BA into logical, consistent, and rational recommendations and policies.

· Serve as NIH’s Subject Matter Expert for the development of approaches to facilitate the activities of the Blue Ribbon Panel to Review the 2014 Variola Incident on the NIH Campus (BRP)

· Provide input regarding topics and subject matter experts that may inform discussions about these matters by the BRP, the government and others;

· Prepare briefing materials, interview questions, and literature analyses as background information to support discussions

· Prepare draft summaries of discussions and reports of deliberations.

· Support NIH staff activities relating to planning and coordination of BRP activities, as well as other stakeholder input that will take place during the development of recommendations and report formulation.

· Provide input regarding the processes that will be used to develop recommendations by the BRP; provide input regarding the processes that will be used to develop the BRP report.

· Support NIH staff activities relating to development of slates for the NSABB roster.

· Support NIH staff activities relating to all the NSABB Working Groups.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSE, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER EXPERTISE REQUIRED. The contractor must have:

· Ph. D. in Biomedical or Life Sciences or a related discipline.

· Minimum of twenty (20) years of related professional experience with high levels of responsibility.

· Extensive scientific knowledge and biomedical research experience.

· Strong scientific communications skills, both oral and written.

· Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.

· Knowledge of biocontainment laboratory construction and operations, particularly BSL 3 and BSL4

· Broad knowledge of microbiology, biodefense research, molecular biology, and genetic techniques

· Experience managing complex, highly technical programs and projects; experience writing editing, and reviewing complex technical documents

· Experience managing federal government biomedical research programs

· Understanding of the federal government policy development process

· Experience writing, editing, and reviewing federal government reports and publications;

· Experience in preparing summaries of highly technical documents for non-scientific audiences

· Experience conducting analysis and synthesis of literature, issues and other scientific information

· Experience as an expert advisor to government agencies

· Experience analyzing and summarizing stakeholder input about government processes and actions.

· Experience organizing and managing federal advisory panels of experts and selection of suitable subject matter experts

· Experience providing advice and knowledge about government policies to varied audiences

· Experience planning and delivering educational programs and course materials to varied audiences.

· Experience planning and organizing scientific meetings and workshops.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance is 6820 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 7013, Bethesda MD.

This work may also be performed remotely at the discretion of the IC, OD OSP.

OPERATIONAL HOURS

Work will be performed up to 20 hours per week during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

SAFETY ISSUES

Work is performed in an office setting. There are no known safety issues.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT, BADGE, KEYS AND/OR FACILITIES PROVIDED

Workspace, computer, telephone and other electronic equipment as necessary will be provided.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Work under this task order is

___X _UNCLASSIFIED

______SECRET

______TOP SECRET

The contractor shall comply with all applicable Homeland Security regulations and procedures during the performance of this task order. The contractor shall not disclose and must safeguard procurement sensitive information, computer systems and data, privacy act data, and Government personnel work products that are obtained or generated in the performance of this task order. If necessary, the contractor will be required to provide clearances for personnel requiring access to Government computers and workstations.

REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES (TRAVEL, CONFERENCE, TRAINING, EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS, ETC.)

Travel or other reimbursable expenses are

__X _ required _X___Occupational Health Services _____not required _____ Non-US citizen/visa processing costs __X__Other

The contractor will be required to travel to other locations in support of the tasks described in this statement of work (if conferences or training is required, list here and include a justification). Prior to incurring any travel expenses, the contractor company must obtain written authorization from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for contract personnel. Contractor expense reports shall be prepared and processed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR). Materials and subcontracts will be reimbursed at actual costs, including allocable material handling costs, as applicable, in accordance with FAR 52.232-7- PAYMENTS UNDER TIME-AND-MATERIALS AND LABOR-HOUR CONTRACTS.

NON-PERSONAL SERVICE STATEMENT

Contractor employees performing services under this order will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. The contractor’s management shall ensure that employees properly comply with the performance standards outlined in the Performance Evaluation Standard (PES). Contractor employees will perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S. Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The Government will control access to the facility and will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.