Notice of Intent.pdf

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Solicitation Number: 75N94024Q00078 Solicitation Type: Sole Source (Non-Competitive) Title: NIAAA: Service: Research Nurse NAICS / Size Standard: 541990 / 19.5 Million

Introduction

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Office of Acquisitions (OA), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) Optimum LLC to provide a research nurse.

Background Information

The Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism (SenSMet) aims to understand neuronal and molecular mechanisms underlying chemosensation (taste, smell & chemesthesis), in addition to understanding motivational and reward pathways of ingestive behaviors and how they might differ in individuals with obesity and alcohol and substance use disorders. They are particularly interested in studying how the brain incorporates chemosensory information from the external environment and its internal states to guide eating/ingestive behavior.

The SenSMet lab is currently investigating the interplay among biological and behavioral components of chemosensation in the context of diseases, with a particular emphasis on metabolic disorders like obesity and brain diseases, particularly alcohol and substance use disorders, given that both obesity and alcohol and substance use disorders share common brain mechanisms associated with the chemical senses. Due to reports of taste and smell loss from individuals affected by COVID-19, the lab began investigating chemosensation and COVID-19. They want to understand the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the chemical senses.

Purpose and Objectives

SensMet needs a research nurse that can independently provide nursing care; identify and communicate the impact of the research process on patient care; adjust interventions based on findings; and report issues/variances promptly to the research team.

Period of Performance

The period of performance is April 15, 2024 through September 30, 2024.

Contractor Requirements

Provide a registered nurse to conduct clinical and research activities to support the lab and includes the following:

• Coordinate with the clinical staff to plan, prepare, and implement study visits.

• Coordinate clinical research activities and collaborate across teams and research groups.

• Communicate with research participants regularly to schedule study visits, provide updates and reminders, answer questions, and complete all required research documentation, medical record notes, and other forms per protocol.

• Support the collection of research data from patients.

• Monitors patient’s progress and reports adverse events.

• Has experience as an RN in an acute care setting for 5 years.

• Has experience to show that they have the ability to work independently, excellent communication skills, ability to collaborate across functional groups and disciplines, and the ability to work with different patient populations.

• Must possess a Registered Nursing license.

• This individual will work on the NIH Bethesda Main Campus.

Sole Source Justification

The Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism (SenSMet) needs a research nurse that can independently provide nursing care; identify and communicate the impact of the research process on patient care; adjust interventions based on findings; and report issues/variances promptly to the research team. Optimum LLC is a women owned small business that has a unique ability to provide personnel proficient in both clinical and regulatory aspects of clinical research, a rare combination in the industry. Their clinical support personnel possess a rare combination of clinical and regulatory proficiency, ensuring that they can navigate complex regulatory frameworks effectively. Their diverse pool of skilled professionals ensures scalability and flexibility, while their innovative problem-solving approach and robust risk management strategies mitigate potential challenges.

Regulatory Authority

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

FAR Clauses

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this notice to the offeror listed above. The following factors shall be used to evaluate the offer: The contractor shall demonstrate its ability to provide the detector listed that meets the specifications provided above.

FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial

Services, is applicable. The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through

(v) of this provision.

FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

Additional Information

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541990 and the Small Business Size Standard is 19.5 Million. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable and the resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-04 effective April 1, 2024.

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

All responses must be received by April 5, 2024 12:00 PM ET and must reference solicitation number 75N94024Q00078. Responses shall be submitted electronically to nicole.freid@nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:nicole.freid@nih.gov