PWS Genomics and Bioinformatics Labor Support 28 APR 2026.docx

ATTACHMENT I - PWS

SUBJECT: Biological Defense Research Directorate Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Support Expertise

1. BACKGROUND

The United States Government and the Biological Defense Research Directorate (BDRD) share a common goal: to facilitate biological research for the rapid detection and discovery of infectious diseases of global importance and the enhancement of global disease surveillance for early pathogen detection and response as per the 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and other U.S. Government agencies are investing in goals of securing select agents, conducting biodefense research and establishing disease surveillance networks for infectious disease and pandemic threat projects throughout the word. To assist in this mission, Subject Matter Expertise (SME) is needed in molecular biology, virology, genomics and bioinformatics, software development, bacteriology, laboratory science/management, field collection, field lab detection, outbreak response, and assay development. The ultimate goals are to ensure U.S. biodefense and force health protection; to detect, characterize and report the occurrence of select agents and infectious disease pathogens; to support pandemic preparedness and response; and to develop and hone analytical methods that support those goals.

1.1 The Government’s service requirement review board (SRRB) identification number for this requirement is 32398205566.

1.2 This is a severable non-personal services requirement. In no instance shall the contractor provide services that include inherently governmental functions.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

The Genomics and Bioinformatics Department in the BDRD of the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) has a mission to apply bioinformatics and cutting edge, high-throughput technologies such as genotypic and phenotypic expression profiling, biomarker characterization, bacteriophage science, etc. to the study of infectious diseases, biodefense, and enhanced global disease surveillance for early pathogen detection and response.

Services will be provided at the NMRC BDRD located in Fort Detrick, MD. The contractor shall provide research and development subject matter expertise and administrative support for BDRD projects to include, but not limited to, the following:

2.1 Genomics and Metagenomics of Pathogens, Near-neighbors, and Bacteriophages for Improved Biosurveillance, Diagnostics, and Countermeasures: Enhance efforts toward NGS (next generation sequencing) and bioinformatics of microorganisms. To support this project, the following specific tasks will be addressed:

2.2 Enhancing Pathogen Detection and Surveillance from Complex Samples: Research under this contract aims to enhance pathogen detection from complex samples by developing and improving such methods as target enrichment that is performed post library preparation and increases sensitivity of shotgun sequencing to include and/or by designing and/or testing new protocols, and also potentially to include and/or compare to amplicon sequencing:

2.3 Predicting phage/host relationships using machine learning. Use in-house training sets and develop an artificial intelligence method to predict efficient phage/host relationships (e.g. host tropism and resistance). To support this project, the following specific tasks will be addressed:

2.4 Advanced Pathogen Characterization and Countermeasures in Epidemic/Pandemic Support: Provide sequencing and bioinformatic assistance in support of epidemic/pandemic preparedness and response for viruses and other pathogens, including filoviruses, SARS-CoV-2, MPOX, Measles virus, and/or other newly emergent threats. To support this project, the following specific tasks will be addressed:

2.4.1. Whole genome sequencing of complex samples (e.g. swabs, stool, serum, wastewater, etc.) and isolates using unbiased shotgun sequencing, amplicon sequencing, enrichment sequencing and/or a combination of approaches as required.

2.4.2. Taxonomic profiling and detection of coinfections.

2.5 High-Throughput, Rapid Sequencing of Bacteriophages and their Hosts: Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are viruses that infect bacteria. Many phage genomes have intrinsic properties that make them difficult to sequence or difficult to assemble post-sequencing, requiring specialized protocols and much troubleshooting. Even so, having the genome sequence of a given bacteriophage available can be very important to certain military operations and/or medical endeavors. To support this project, the following specific tasks will be addressed:

2.8 A Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Bioinformatics (BI) Consortium for Surveillance of Infectious Disease Threats. NGS and BI are capable of providing a massive benefit to biosurveillance and force health protection, by providing rapid and granular pathogen agnostic information that can be used to identify pathogens, characterize pathogens’ resistance/susceptibility to countermeasures, trace epidemics, pandemics and so on. To realize these enormous benefits, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the field of NGS and BI, there is a continuing need for assistance to partner laboratories around the world in order to implement NGS and BI in resource-limited settings. To support this project, the following specific tasks will be addressed:

2.9 Acute febrile illness (AFI) and respiratory pathogen discovery and surveillance from humans, vectors, wastewater, and animal reservoirs to Support Early Warning: U.S. forces and allied forces throughout the world are at risk of contracting acute febrile illness (AFI) or respiratory illness, including that caused by novel zoonotic viruses directly from animals or from contact with local people who have contracted such viruses from animals, and the etiologic agent of AFI is often undetermined. Bats, in particular, represent a likely source of such viruses. Other relevant sample types include insect vectors and nonhuman primates. The overarching goal of this study is to conduct sequencing-based surveillance of known and novel pathogens in geographic regions where U.S. and allied forces may be deployed. To support research for this project, the following specific tasks will be addressed:

2.10 Fieldable bioinformatics: As sequencing technologies continue to exhibit decreasing laboratory footprints and decreasing turnaround times, their potential for field use increases. However, to fully enable fieldable sequencing, there are bioinformatic challenges to address. The overarching goal of this work is to develop and test bioinformatic technologies for the field, and to provide training and reach-back support to the field operators. Support of this project involves the following specific tasks:

2.11 Services provided under this effort may support human subject research (by way of de-identified information) and animal use research.

3. ASSUMPTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS:

3.1 The period of performance shall not exceed 66 months, inclusive of one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods.

3.2. Offerors shall propose, before contractor burdens, the Government estimated costs for travel and other direct costs (ODCs). Travel is estimated at $75,000 for each 12-month period of performance (PoP). ODCs are estimated at $750,000 for each 12-month PoP.

4. ESTIMATED STAFFING AND QUALIFICATIONS: The Government’s estimated staffing, outlined below, consists of 20.5 full-time equivalent individuals (FTEs) for each 12-month PoP based on an annual level of effort of 1,920 hours per FTE. NOTE: The level of effort and labor mix proposed by Offerors shall be based on their technical approach and the annual FTE hours shall be in accordance with the Offeror’s approved accounting system.

*Considered key personnel in performance of the contract

4.1 Minimum Requirements (All contractor personnel positions shall meet the following requirements):

a. Contractor personnel must be available to travel nationally and internationally for moderate periods (up to 2-4 weeks in length).

b. Contractor personnel shall be United States citizens.

c. Specified contractor personnel shall pass all criteria for a Secret clearance (as identified in Section 4.2. below and in clause SUPTXT204-9400(3-19)). Contract employees for all other research labor positions are recognized as non-critical sensitive [ADP-IT-III] positions.

d. This is a non-personal services contract. In no instance shall services include inherently governmental functions.

4.2 Staffing, Education, and Experience Requirements:

4.2.1 Senior Research Scientist*:

4.2.2 Research Scientist:

4.2.3 Bioinformatics Team Leader*-

· Shall possess expert programming skills in languages such as JAVA, PERL, PYTHON, and statistical software such as R. Familiarity with next generation sequencing and related platforms (MiSeq, NovaSeq, NextSeq, iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq i100/i100 Plus, PacBio, any of the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platforms such as MinION or GridION, PacBio) as well as potentially microarrays and or single cell sequencing.

· Ability to travel internationally to potentially austere environments is essential.

· Excellent verbal and writing communications skills, ability to think independently, and excellent problem-solving skills are essential.

· Ability to perform under deadlines and in austere environments is essential.

• Shall pass all criteria for a Secret security clearance.

4.2.4 Senior Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer:

· Shall possess expert programming skills in languages such as JAVA, PERL, PYTHON, and statistical software such as R. Familiarity with next generation sequencing and related platforms (MiSeq, NovaSeq, NextSeq, iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq i100/i100 Plus, PacBio, any of the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platforms such as MinION or GridION, PacBio) as well as potentially microarrays and or single cell sequencing.

· Ability to travel internationally to potentially austere environments is essential.

· Excellent verbal and writing communications skills, ability to think independently, and excellent problem-solving skills are essential.

· Ability to perform under deadlines and in austere environments is essential.

• Shall pass all criteria for a Secret security clearance.

4.2.5 Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer:

· Shall possess programming skills in languages such as JAVA, PERL, PYTHON, and statistical software such as R. Familiarity with next generation sequencing and related platforms (MiSeq, NovaSeq, NextSeq, iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq i100/i100 Plus, PacBio, any of the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platforms such as MinION or GridION, PacBio) as well as potentially microarrays and or single-cell sequencing.

· Ability to travel internationally to potentially austere environments is essential.

· Excellent verbal and writing communications skills, ability to think independently, and excellent problem-solving skills are essential.

· Ability to perform under deadlines and in austere environments is essential.

• Shall pass all criteria for a Secret security clearance.

4.2.6 Research Associate:

4.2.7 Research Assistant:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, or relevant biomedical sciences

• Experience: 2 years (minimum) relevant experience in the field of microbiology.

4.2.8 Technical Research Administrative Support:

· Education: Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or management discipline.

· Experience: Experience in the administration of laboratory research programs including providing various research administrative duties supporting research efforts conducted under this effort.

· Foundational and theoretical understanding of general scientific principles is beneficial.

· Experience shipping samples to overseas locations. Or the ability to quickly learn this ability.

4.3 The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) reserves the right to review the qualifications/resumes of all personnel performing or to be performing services under this effort. The contractor shall provide candidate qualifications and resumes to the COR via e-mail upon request.

5. TRAVEL AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODCs):

5.1 Travel. Contractor personnel will be required to travel frequently to locations CONUS and OCONUS, subject to Command travel policy and or restrictions. Locations include, but are not limited to: Lima, Peru; Cairo, Egypt: Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Singapore, Singapore; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Virginia Beach, VA; and Columbus, OH . Contractor personnel requiring travel will be determined and is at the discretion of the Government Principal Investigator (PI) and the COR. Travel shall be approved by the COR in writing (via e-mail) in advance of incurring costs and prior to travel embarkment.

5.2 Travel pre-approval and submission of travel cost vouchers shall be processed in accordance with Command procedures (e.g., travel request), Attachment V, Special Requirements, the Joint Travel Regulations, shall be documented and submitted with the Monthly Status Report, and appropriately outlined in the cost voucher submitted via WAWF.

5.3 The Contractor shall comply with the Department of State travel safety recommendations, Command policies, and other health and safety regulations.

5.4 ODCs. ODCs may be required in performance of this requirement. Approval for the purchase of ODCs shall be approved in advance by the Government PI and the COR in writing via e-mail. All supplies and or equipment become the property of the Government. Examples of such ODCs may include, but are not limited to:

· Short-term field sample collections services (on an as needed basis as defined by BDRD) for collections of emergent and characterization of invasive and noninvasive samples from hipposiderid and select understudied species of nonhipposiderid bats, insect vectors, and potentially other relevant samples from established field collection sites.

6. QUALITYASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

6.1 This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) serves as the principal basis for assessing overall performance quality by the contractor. This document will be used by the Government to assess the effectiveness of the contractor’s performance, including on a risk rated basis. This QASP provides the methodology by which the contractor's performance will be monitored to determine compliance with established performance objectives and to establish performance benchmarks that ensure a quantifiable basis for measuring effectiveness. The plan is designed so that surveillance is limited to that which is necessary to verify the contractor is performing satisfactorily and relates directly to performance objectives of the performance objectives delineated in the PWS.

6.2. Performance Objectives Summary Matrix:

TASK/

DELIVERABLE

AND RISK RELATED SCHEDULE

PERFORMANCE RATING

Performance:

Compliance of products, services, documents, related deliverables, and overall quality of work performance.

Contract requirements met with few minor and no significant problems encountered.

Performance meets all technical and functional requirements in the PWS, and contains pertinent, useful, and informative data and information.

Contractor’s technical performance meets all contract requirements as outlined in the PWS and various government regulations.

Problems that are encountered are minor in nature, and are as follows:

· does not cause a delay in schedule;

· does not cause costs to increase;

· involves minimal effort to fix; and

· does not affect overall contractor performance

All matters shall be resolved in a satisfactory and timely manner.

100% Inspection

Are status reports complete and compliant with the PWS and various government regulations?

Assignment of performance rating and criteria:

Excellent Performance meets all and exceeds all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no required re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a highly effective manner.

Acceptable Performance and deliverables meet all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Unacceptable Many contract requirements not met.

Re-performances or reworks required. Substantial problems were encountered and were resolved in a less than satisfactory manner.

Schedule and Cost Control:

Timeliness of Performance, Services, and Deliverables, including Administrative aspects of Performance and Cost control.

Contract requirements met with few minor and no significant problems encountered.

Performance meets all technical and functional requirements in the PWS, and contains pertinent, useful, and informative data and information.

Status reports are submitted on time in accordance with the PWS.

Cost is controlled (within established monthly ceilings) or corrective measures for cost control have been provided to the COR.

Contractor’s technical performance meets all contract requirements as outlined in the PWS and various government regulations.

Problems that are encountered are minor in nature, and are as follows:

· does not cause a delay in schedule;

· does not cause costs to increase;

· involves minimal effort to fix; and

· does not affect overall contractor performance

All matters shall be resolved in a satisfactory and timely manner.

100% Inspection

Is the contractor meeting established timeframes for studies?

Are status reports submitted timely?

Is the contractor’s performance of tasks done so within the costs (established monthly ceilings) for each 12-month performance period?

If the contractor’s actual expenditures on a monthly basis exceed the costs (established monthly ceilings for cost control), did the contractor provide explanation for cost overruns and corrective measures to ensure completion of the work within the 12-month ceiling?

Assignment of performance rating and criteria:

Excellent Performance meets all and exceeds all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no required re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a highly effective manner.

Acceptable Performance, deliverables, and cost controls meet all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Unacceptable Many contract requirements not met. Re-performances or reworks required. Substantial problems were encountered and were resolved in a less than satisfactory manner.

Performance meets all technical and functional requirements in the PWS, and contains pertinent, useful, and informative data and information.

Contractor’s technical performance meets all contract requirements as outlined in the PWS and various government regulations.

Problems that are encountered are minor in nature, and are as follows:

· does not cause a delay in schedule;

· does not cause costs to increase;

· involves minimal effort to fix; and

· does not affect overall contractor performance

All matters shall be resolved in a satisfactory and timely manner.

Random Sampling (becomes more frequent if higher risk)

Is the contractor committed to high customer satisfaction?

How proactive is the contractor to the customer?

Is the contractor providing positive value to the government?

Assignment of performance rating and criteria:

Excellent Performance meets all and exceeds all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no required re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a highly effective manner.

Acceptable Performance and deliverables meet all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Unacceptable Many contract requirements not met. Re-performances or reworks required. Substantial problems were encountered and were resolved in a less than satisfactory manner.

Performance meets all technical and functional requirements in the PWS, and contains pertinent, useful, and informative data and information.

Contractor’s technical performance meets all contract requirements.

Problems that are encountered are minor in nature, and are as follows:

· does not cause a delay in schedule;

· does not cause costs to increase;

· involves minimal effort to fix; and

· does not affect overall contractor performance

All matters shall be resolved in a satisfactory and timely manner.

Random Sampling (becomes more frequent if higher risk)

What is the government’s overall satisfaction with the contractor?

Assignment of performance rating and criteria:

Excellent Performance meets all and exceeds contract requirements. Performance delivered with no required re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a highly effective manner.

Acceptable Performance and deliverables meet all contract requirements. Performance delivered with no re-performance/rework; problems that are encountered are minor and resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Unacceptable Many contract requirements not met. Re-performances or reworks required. Substantial problems were encountered and were resolved in a less than satisfactory manner.

6.3. Monthly Status Reporting: Progress and cost updates will be required in the form of monthly status reporting. The Contractor shall outline progress made under the contract within the 30-day period. Status reports shall also contain, at a minimum, the status of any actions during the reporting period, discussion of any significant issues, and a short report/status of each task, and travel pre-approvals and invoices. Status reports shall also include monthly cost vouchers and status of cost control efforts.

6.4. Monthly status reporting is due no later than 30 days after the end of each month and shall be submitted via email to the COR.

7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION

7.1 Contractor Unclassified Access to Federally Controlled Facilities, Sensitive Information, Information Technology Systems or Protected Health Information

SUPTXT204-9400(3-19) CONTRACTOR UNCLASSIFIED ACCESS TO FEDERALLY CONTROLLED FACILITIES, SENSITIVE INFORMATION, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS OR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

The security text does not apply in cases where the contractor/vendor does not have access to Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) computers, is not issued a Common Access Card (CAC) and is involved in training or other short term duties of less than 30 days duration that allow for the use of a visitor request. In these cases, the government employee must submit a Visitor Access Request (VAR) to the main gate or applicable processing entity for your facility and assume responsibility to escort those without CAC Credentials.

This clause does not apply to non-United States (U.S.) Nationals (foreign nationals) who are contactor employees performing work overseas. The clause is applicable to the U.S. Nationals living in the U.S. or overseas who are performing work on a Navy contract.

The investigation of a non-U.S. national at a foreign location must be consistent with a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI), to the extent possible and include a fingerprint check against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history database, an FBI investigations file (name check) search and a name check against the terrorist screening database. Also, the above cited reference notes that Foreign Nationals may not be granted CAC credentials until completion of their investigation and not in the interim.

Per Department of Defense Memorandum (DoDM) 5200.2, Department of Defense (DoD) components must initiate and ensure completion of a background investigation before applying the credentialing standards to a non-U.S. national at a foreign location. The background investigation must be favorably adjudicated before a CAC can be issued to a non-U.S. national at a foreign location. The type of background investigation may vary based on standing reciprocity treaties concerning identity assurance and information exchanges that exist between the U.S. and its allies or agency agreements with the host country.

CONTRACTOR UNCLASSIFIED ACCESS TO FEDERALLY CONTROLLED FACILITIES, SENSITIVE INFORMATION, IT SYSTEMS OR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

Executive Order 13467, Reforming Processes Related to Suitability for Government Employee, Fitness for Contractor Employees and Eligibility for Access to Classified National Security Information, Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12, requires government agencies to develop and implement Federal security standards for Federal employees and contractors. The 5 CFR 32 Part 157 in concert with DoD Manual 1000.13, Vol 1, implements the Federal Standards.

APPLICABILITY

This text applies to all DoD sponsored individuals who require CAC eligibility (or login and P/W if acceptable per contract) for: Physical access to DoD facilities or non-DoD facilities on behalf of DoD; Logical access to information systems (whether on site or remotely); or remote access to DoD networks that use only the CAC logon for user authentication, or access to sensitive and protected information. This applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the DoD, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities and all other organizational entities within the DoD (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "DoD Components").

Each contractor employee providing services at a Navy command under this contract is required to obtain a DoD CAC. Additionally, depending on the level of computer/network access, the contract employee will require a successful investigation as detailed below.

ACCESS TO FEDERAL FACILITIES

Per HSPD-12 and implementing guidance, all contractor employees working at a federally controlled base, facility or activity under this clause will require a DoD CAC. When access to a base, facility or activity is required contractor employees shall in-process with the Command's Security Manager (CSM) upon arrival to the command and shall out-process prior to their departure at the completion of the individual's performance under the contract.

START-UP PERIOD

All contractor resource onboarding documents must be submitted via the prime contractor. The prime contractor shall make all necessary preparations to assume full responsibility for productive performance as of the performance start date.

Definition of "productive":

a. Visit Authorization Request (VAR)

b. Contractor Information Sheet (CIS)

c. FD-258 Fingerprint Card

d. Completed Electronic Investigation (EQIP)

e. All contractor resource(s) must have an active Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) profile

f. Common Access Card(CAC)

Note (1): Invoicing by the contractor will begin as of the commencement of the performance period of services and no reimbursement will be paid by the government for efforts expended during the start-up period.

Note (2): Foreign Nationals are not allowed access to the functional/system side of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).

ACCESS TO DOD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SYSTEM

In Accordance With (IAW) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) M-5510.30, contractor employees who require access to Department of the Navy (DoN) or DoD networks are categorized as IT-I, IT-II, or IT-III. The IT-II level, defined in detail in SECNAV M-5510.30, includes positions which require access to sensitive information. Sensitive information includes information protected under the Privacy Act, to include PHI. All contractor employees under this contract who require access to Privacy Act protected information are therefore categorized no lower than IT-II. IT Levels are determined by the requiring activity's Command Information System Security Manager (ISSM)/Information Assurance Manager (IAM).

Contractor employees requiring privileged or IT-I level access, (when specified by the terms of the contract) require a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or T5 or T5R equivalent investigation, which is a higher level investigation than the National Agency Check (NAC) with Law and Credit (NACLC)/T3/T3R described below. Due to the privileged system access, an investigation suitable for High Risk national security positions is required. Individuals who have access to system control, monitoring, or administration functions (e.g. system administrator, database administrator) require training and certification to Information Assurance (IA) Technical Level 1, and must be trained and certified on the Operating System (OS) or Computing Environment (CE) they are required to maintain.

Access to sensitive IT systems is contingent upon a favorably adjudicated background investigation. When access to IT systems is required for performance of the contractor employee's duties, such employees shall in-process with the Navy CSM and ISSM/IAM manager upon arrival to the Navy command and shall out-process prior to their departure at the completion of the individual's performance under the contract. Completion and approval of a System Authorization Access Request Navy (SAAR-N) form is required for all individuals accessing Navy IT resources. The decision to authorize access to a government IT system/network is inherently governmental. The contractor supervisor is not authorized to sign the SAAR-N; therefore, the government employee with knowledge of the system/network access required or the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) shall sign the SAAR-N as the supervisor.

The SAAR-N shall be forwarded to the CSM at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date. Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date may result in delaying the individual's start date.

When required to maintain access to required IT systems or networks, the contractor shall ensure that all employees requiring access complete annual Cyber Awareness training and maintain a current requisite background investigation. The contractor's security representative shall contact the CSM for guidance when reinvestigations are required.

INTERIM ACCESS

The CSM may authorize issuance of a DoD CAC and interim access to a DoN or DoD unclassified computer/network upon a favorable review of the investigative questionnaire and advance favorable fingerprint results. When the results of the investigation are received and a favorable determination is not made, the contractor employee working on the contract under interim access will be denied access to the computer network and this denial will not relieve the contractor of his/her responsibility to perform.

DENIAL OR TERMINATION OF ACCESS

The potential consequences of any requirement under this clause including denial or termination of physical or system access in no way relieves the contractor from the requirement to execute performance under the contract within the timeframes specified in the contract. Contractors shall plan ahead in processing their employees and subcontractor employees. The contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is permitted to have unclassified access to a federally controlled facility, federally controlled information system/network and/or to government information, meaning information not authorized for public release.

CONTRACTOR'S SECURITY REPRESENTATIVE

The contractor shall designate an employee to serve as the contractor's security representative. Within three (3) working days after contract award, the contractor shall provide to the requiring activity's Security Manager and the Contracting Officer, in writing, the name, title, address and phone number for the contractor's security representative. The contractor's security representative shall be the primary point of contact on any security matter.

The contractor's security representative shall not be replaced or removed without prior notice to the Contracting Officer and CSM.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS AND SECURITY APPROVAL PROCESS FOR CONTRACTORS ASSIGNED TO NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS OR PERFORMING SENSITIVE DUTIES

Navy security policy requires that all positions be given a sensitivity value based on level of risk factors to ensure appropriate protective measures are applied. Contractor employees under this contract are recognized as Non-Critical Sensitive [ADP/IT-II] positions when the contract scope of work require physical access to a federally controlled base, facility or activity and/or requiring access to a DoD computer/network, to perform unclassified sensitive duties. This designation is also applied to contractor employees who access Privacy Act and PHI, provide support associated with fiduciary duties, or perform duties that have been identified as National Security Positions. At a minimum, each contractor employee must be a US citizen and have a favorably completed NACLC or T3 or T3R equivalent investigation to obtain a favorable determination for assignment to a non-critical sensitive or IT-II position. The investigation consists of a standard NAC and a FBI fingerprint check plus law enforcement checks and credit check. Each contractor employee filling a non-critical sensitive or IT-II position is required to complete:

· SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions (or equivalent Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigative product)

· Two FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Cards (or an electronic fingerprint submission)

· Original Signed Release Statements Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date shall result in delaying the individual's start date. Background investigations shall be reinitiated as required to ensure investigations remain current (not older than ten (10) years) throughout the contract performance period. The contractor's security representative shall contact the CSM for guidance when reinvestigations are required.

Regardless of their duties or IT access requirements ALL contractor employees shall in-process with the CSM upon arrival to the command and shall out-process prior to their departure at the completion of the individual's performance under the contract. Employees requiring IT access shall also check-in and check-out with the Navy command's ISSM/IAM. Completion and approval of a SAAR-N form is required for all individuals accessing Navy IT resources. The SAAR-N shall be forwarded to the Navy CSM at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date. Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date shall result in delaying the individual's start date.

The contractor shall ensure that each contract employee requiring access to IT systems or networks complete annual Cyber Awareness training and maintain a current requisite background investigation. Contractor employees shall accurately complete the required investigative forms prior to submission to the CSM. The CSM will review the submitted documentation for completeness prior to submitting it to the OPM; Potential suitability or security issues identified may render the contractor employee ineligible for the assignment. An unfavorable determination is final (subject to SF-86 appeal procedures) and such a determination does not relieve the contractor from meeting any contractual obligation under the contract. The CSM will forward the required forms to OPM for processing. Once the investigation is complete, the results will be forwarded by OPM to the DoD Central Adjudication Facility (CAF) for a determination.

If the contractor employee already possesses a current favorably adjudicated investigation, the contractor shall submit a VAR via the JPAS or a hard copy VAR directly from the contractor's security representative. Although the contractor will take JPAS owning role over the contractor employee, the Navy command will take JPAS "Servicing" role over the contractor employee during the hiring process and for the duration of assignment under that contract. The contractor shall include the IT position category per SECNAV M-5510.30 for each employee designated on a VAR. The VAR requires annual renewal for the duration of the employee's performance under the contract.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS AND SECURITY APPROVAL PROCESS FOR CONTRACTORS ASSIGNED TO OR PERFORMING NON-SENSITIVE DUTIES

Contract employees for those labor categories that carry out tasks related to Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Senior Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer, Bioinformatics Team Leader, Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer are recognized as non-critical sensitive [ADP-IT-II] positions. At a minimum, each contractor employee must be a U.S. citizen and have a favorably completed NACLC or T3 or T3R equivalent investigation to obtain a favorable determination for assignment to the positions listed above. The security manager will provide the Contractor with all required security documentation, review all security documentation submitted by the contractor, and initiate the request for the contract personnel’s action. The contractor is responsible for monitoring the coordination and completion of all security requirements with the NMRC Security Manager.

Contract employees for all other research labor categories at a minimum are recognized as non-critical sensitive [ADP-IT-III] positions. The awardee shall be able to sponsor the employee with the necessary work permits/visas and at a minimum have a favorably completed T1/Public Trust background investigation. The Contactor shall have a fully adjudicated background investigation before being authorized to on-board at NMRC. The security manager will provide the Contractor with all required security documentation, review all security documentation submitted by the contractor, and initiate the request for the contract personnel’s action. The contractor is responsible for monitoring the coordination and completion of all security requirements with the NMRC Security Manager.

Contractor employee whose work is unclassified and non-sensitive (e.g., performing certain duties such as lawn maintenance, vendor services, etc...) and who require physical access to publicly accessible areas to perform those duties shall meet the following minimum requirements:

· Must be either a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident with a minimum of 3 years of legal residency in the U.S. (as required by the Deputy Secretary of Defense DTM 08-006 or its subsequent DoD Instruction (INST)) and

· Must have a favorably completed NACI or T1 investigation equivalent including a FBI fingerprint check prior to installation access.

To be considered for a favorable trustworthiness determination, the CSR must submit for all employees each of the following:

· SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

· Two FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Cards (or an electronic fingerprint submission)

· Original Signed Release Statements The contractor shall ensure each individual employee has a current favorably completed NACI or T1 equivalent investigation, or ensure successful FBI fingerprint results have been gained and investigation has been processed with OPM.

Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date may result in delaying the individual's start date.

7.2. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY - INCREMENTAL FUNDING

SUPTXT 232.9400 (1-92) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY - INCREMENTAL FUNDING

**The Government intends to incrementally fund the task order. This clause will be updated at time of award**

This contract is incrementally funded and the amount currently available for payment hereunder is limited to (amount currently available for payment) inclusive of fee. It is estimated that these funds will cover the cost of performance through (date). Subject to the provisions of the clause entitled "Limitation of Funds" FAR 52.232-22 of the General Provisions of this contract, no legal liability on the part of the Government for payment in excess of the amount currently available for payment shall arise unless additional funds are made available and are incorporated as a modification to this contract/task order.

7.3 Government Vehicle Use: There may be circumstances requiring task order personnel to drive or ride in a Government vehicle in the performance of conducting various research study requirements, including but not limited to travel to off-site commands for meetings, relocation of research equipment, or transportation of research subjects.

Government vehicle use will be on official business for non-personal service in accordance with applicable instruction. In accordance with General Service Administration (GSA) regulations, the Government will consider allowing Contractor personnel to use GSA Fleet vehicles and related services in performance of the task order if such use will result in a significant savings to the Government and GSA Fleet vehicles are available, in accordance with FAR subpart 51.2.

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