RFP 75N95022R00005 ETSP.pdf

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SOLICITATION

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

1. Requisition or other Purchase Authority: Public Law 42 USC 201 Public Health Service Act

2. Request for Proposal (RFP) Number:

75N95022R00005

3. Issue Date:

11/19/2021

4. Set Aside:

[X] No

[ ] Yes See Part IV Section L

5. Title : Screening of Investigational Therapeutics to Treat, Modify or Prevent Epilepsy for NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP)

6. ISSUED BY:

Office of Acquisitions National Institute on Drug Abuse NINDS Section, CMB Red National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD 20892

7. SUBMIT OFFERS TO:

See Part III, Section J, "Packaging and Delivery of the Proposal," ATTACHMENT 1 of this Solicitation.

8. Proposals for furnishing the supplies and/or services in THE SCHEDULE will be received at the place specified in, and in the number of copies specified in Attachment 1, "Packaging and Delivery of the Proposal," until 12 PM EST local time on 12/21/2021. Offers will be valid for 120 days unless a different period is specified by the offeror on the Attachment entitled, "Proposal Summary and Data Record, NIH 2043.

9. This solicitation requires delivery of proposals as stated in ATTACHMENT 1, "PACKAGING AND DELIVERY OF THE PROPOSAL." If proposals are required to be delivered to two different locations, the OFFICIAL POINT OF RECEIPT for determining TIMELY DELIVERY is the address provided for the OFFICE OF ACQUISITIONS.

IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER OR HIS DESIGNEE AT THE PLACE AND TIME SPECIFIED FOR THE OFFICE OF ACQUISITIONS, THEN IT WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE AND HANDLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH subparagraph (c)(3) of FAR Clause 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors--Competitive Acquisition," LOCATED IN SECTION L.1. OF THIS SOLICITATION.

10. Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award of a contract. Offerors must access the CCR through The System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

11. FOR INFORMATION CALL: Arun Mathur

PHONE: 301-480-2458

e-MAIL: arun.mathur@nih.gov

COLLECT CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Requests for clarification, additional information, or correction must be made in writing to the Contracting Officer on or before12:00 PM EST Nancy Lamon-Kritikos https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

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1. Requisition or other Purchase Authority: Public Law 42 USC 201 Public Health Service Act on November 29, 2021. The proposal intent response sheet is due no later than 12:00 PM EST on November 23,2021. Offeror questions may be submitted by e-mail to Arun.Mathur@nih.gov with the subject line: "RFP 75N95022R00005.

Contracting Officer Office of Acquisitions

RFP Number : 75N95022R00005

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RFP TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

ARTICLE H.4. RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN FETAL TISSUE

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

SOLICITATION ATTACHMENTS

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS

BUSINESS PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS

INFORMATIONAL ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION

b. NAICS CODE AND SIZE STANDARD

c. TYPE OF CONTRACT AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

d. LEVEL OF EFFORT

e. COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

f. PROMOTING EFFICIENT SPENDING

g. COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD

h. RELEASE OF INFORMATION

i. PREPARATION COSTS

j. SERVICE OF PROTEST

2. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

a. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Contract Type and General Clauses

2. Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal

3. Proposal Summary and Data Record (NIH-2043)

4. Separation of Technical and Business Proposals

5. Alternate Proposals

6. Evaluation of Proposals

7. Potential Award Without Discussions

8. Use of the Metric System of Measurement

9. Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information

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10. Privacy Act - Treatment of Proposal Information

11. Selection of Offerors

12. Institutional Responsibility Regarding Investigator Conflicts of Interest

13. ROTC Access and Federal Military Recruiting on Campus

14. CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020)

15. Past Performance Information

17. Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Notice, HHSAR 352.239-73 (December 2015)

18. Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

b. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Technical Discussions

2. Other Considerations

3. Technical Evaluation

4. Human Subjects

Data and Safety Monitoring in Clinical Trials

Registration and Results Reporting for Applicable Clinical Trials in ClinicalTrials.gov

5. Research Involving Live Vertebrate Animals

6. Obtaining and Disseminating Biomedical Research Resources

c. BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Basic Cost/Price Information

2. Proposal Cover Sheet

3. Cost and Pricing Data

4. Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information Other than Cost and Pricing Data

5. Salary Rate Limitation

6. Small Business Subcontracting Plan

7. Mentor Protege Program, HHSAR 352.219-70

8. HUBZone Small Business Concerns

9. Total Compensation Plan

10. Other Administrative Data

11. Qualifications of the Offeror

12. Subcontractors

13. Proposer's Annual Financial Report

14. Travel Costs/Travel Policy

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

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PART I - THE SCHEDULE

THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM, HEREIN CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANY OFFEROR INTERESTED IN RESPONDING TO THIS SOLICITATION.

ANY CONTRACT RESULTING FROM THIS SOLICITATION WILL INCLUDE IN ITS SECTION A - SOLICITATION/ CONTRACT FORM, ACCOUNTING, APPROPRIATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE

CONTRACT AWARD.

THE CONTRACT SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN SECTIONS B THROUGH H, HEREIN, CONTAINS CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THIS SOLICITATION. IT IS NOT AN EXACT REPRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF THIS SOLICITATION. THE CONTRACT COST OR PRICE AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS PERTINENT TO THE OFFEROR (i.e., those relating to the organizational structure [e.g., Non-Profit, Commercial] and specific cost authorizations unique to the Offeror's proposal and requiring Contracting Officer Prior Approval) WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RESULTANT CONTRACT. THE ENCLOSED CONTRACT SCHEDULE IS

INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE OFFEROR WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE RESULTANT CONTRACT.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

ARTICLE B.1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

Epilepsy is a group of complex disorders that are generally characterized by spontaneous, recurrent seizure activity.

Further, these are usually chronic brain and co-morbid disorders resulting in significant economic and social impact.

The worldwide incidence of epilepsy is estimated to be over 50 million with approximately 3 million individuals in the U.S. The estimated economic burden associated with epilepsy is more than 13 billion dollars annually. Over 35% of patients with epilepsy are resistant to pharmacological and surgical intervention despite optimized dosing and multi-drug regiments. The disease is indiscriminant with respect to race, gender or age. Although the highest initial incidence occurs in childhood and the elderly any age group is susceptible.

The purpose of this acquisition is to award a follow-on contract for the continued screening, testing and identification of potential candidate compounds that could be further developed as new treatment therapies that targets mechanisms associated with Epilepsy currently being performed under active NINDS contract HHSN271201600048C, Screening of Investigational Compounds to Treat, Modify or Prevent Epilepsy for the NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP).

The NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP), until 2016 known as the Anticonvulsant Screening Program (ASP), was established in 1975 to address a critical need for new anti-seizure medications and to promote industry interest in their development. The screening process involves researchers from academia and industry in the U.S. and abroad (ETSP participants) submitting compounds to the ETSP for investigation in a series of animal (rodent) acute and chronic seizure models. These tests are performed blinded by the contract laboratory and on a confidential basis through a written agreement between the NINDS and the ETSP participant at no cost to the ETSP participant. The NINDS ETSP program office reports test results to participants and provides advice on future steps for promising compounds, while protecting confidentiality and intellectual property. Over 32,000 compounds have been screened to date, and the ETSP has contributed to bringing 11 anti-seizure drugs to market since 1990.

Constituting a thorough review of the concept to inform Acquisition Strategy, the ETSP was recently reviewed by Working Groups commissioned by the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council in 2011, 2014 and 2020. The Working Groups recommendations were consistent in each review in favor of prioritizing the identification of treatments for drug refractory epilepsy, disease prevention, and modification over the identification of additional undifferentiated anti-seizure drugs. The new name of the program is meant to emphasize that a major focus is going beyond the symptomatic treatment of seizures to identifying agents that have the potential to prevent their development. Additional details on the reports containing the Working Group's recommendations are available for review at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Current-Research/Focus-Research/Focus-Epilepsy/ETSP.

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The NINDS Advisory Council voted to approve the recommendations as presented by the aforementioned NANDS Working Group charged with reviewing and providing recommendations for this project, on May 27, 2020.

ARTICLE B.2. PRICES/COSTS

The final contract will contain the price/cost provisions agreed upon by the Government and the Offeror.

Base and Option Periods

The basic requirement will be funded on a cost reimbursement, term, level-of-effort basis and will consist of a base 9-month period of performance with four successive 12-month term Option Periods, if exercised. The level-of-effort will be in accordance with the labor hours described in Article F.3 Level of Effort. Transition-out services will be funded on a cost reimbursement, completion basis and will consist of a one 3-month Option Period, for a total potential performance period of 5 years.

Quantity Options

Quantity Options, if exercised, will be funded on a cost reimbursement, level-of-effort basis and will consist of options to increase the level of effort which can be exercised up to 5 times per year during Option Periods 2-4. Each quantity option will consist of a prenegotiated amount of labor hours and cost and will provide the Government with the option to increase the effort in performance of the requirements within the Statement of Work.

ARTICLE B.3. ESTIMATED COST - OPTION

a. The estimated cost of the Base Period of this contract is $ TBD.

b. The fixed fee for the Base Period of this contract is $ TBD. For completion CLINs: The fixed fee shall be paid in installments based on the percentage of completion of work, as determined by the Contracting Officer.For level of effort contract Line Items(CLINs): The fixed fee shall be paid in direct ratio to the level of effort expended;

that is, the percent of fee paid shall be equal to the percent of total effort expended. Payment shall be subject to the withholding provisions of the clauses ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT and FIXED FEE referenced in the General Clause Listing in Part II, ARTICLE I.1. of this contract.

c. The total estimated amount of the contract, represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee for the Base Period is $ TBD.

d. If the Government exercises its option pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in SECTION H of this contract, the Government's total estimated contract amount represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee will be increased as follows:

Period CLIN Type Estimated Cost

Fixed Fee

Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

Base Period (9 months)

Level of Effort

Option Period 1 (12 months)

Level of Effort

Option Period 2 (12 months)

Level of Effort

Option Period 3 (12 months)

Level of Effort

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Period CLIN Type Estimated Cost

Fixed Fee

Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

Option Period 4 (12 months)

Level of Effort

Option Period 5 (3 months)

Completion

Total

[Base Period and Term Option]

TBD

e. If the Government exercises its option to increase the level-of-effort quantity pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in SECTION H of this contract, the Government's total estimated contract amount represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee will be increased as follows:

Quantity Options Estimated Cost ($) Number of Times It Can be Exercised

Quantity Option 1 (Option Period 1) 5

Quantity Option 2 (Option Period 2) 5

Quantity Option 3 (Option Period 3) 5

Quantity Option 4 (Option Period 4) 5

Total [All Quantity Options] TBD

Grand Total [Base Period and All Options]

TBD

ARTICLE B.4. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS

This article will prohibit or restrict the use of contract funds, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer. The following is a list of items that may be included in the resultant contract as applicable. 1) Conferences & Meetings, 2) Food for Meals, Light Refreshments & Beverages, 3) Promotional Items, 4) Acquisition, by purchase or lease, of any interest in real property; 5) Special rearrangement or alteration of facilities; 6) Purchase or lease of any item of general purpose office furniture or office equipment regardless of dollar value; 7) Travel Costs including Foreign Travel; 8) Consultant Costs; 9) Subcontract Costs; 10) Patient Care Costs; 11) Accountable Government Property; 12) Printing costs; and 13) Research Funding.

ARTICLE B.5. ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS

Specific elements of cost, which normally require prior written approval of the Contracting Officer before incurrence of the cost (e.g., foreign travel, consultant fees, subcontracts) will be included in this Article if the Contracting Officer has granted his/her approval prior to contract award.

1. Specific elements of cost, which normally require prior written approval of the Contracting Officer before incurrence of the cost (e.g., foreign travel, consultant fees, subcontracts) will be included in this Article if the Contracting Officer has granted his/her approval prior to contract award.

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2. Non-Personal Services and Inherently Government Functions.

Pursuant to FAR 37.1, no personal services shall be performed under this contract. All work requirements shall flow only from the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COR) to the Contractor's Project Manager. No Contractor employee will be directly supervised by the Government. All individual employee assignments, and daily work direction, shall be given by the applicable employee supervisor. If the Contractor believes any Government action or communication has been given that would create a personal services relationship between the Government and any Contractor employee, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of this communication or action.

Pursuant to FAR 7.5, the Contractor shall not perform any inherently Governmental actions under this contract. No Contractor employee shall hold him or herself out to be a Government employee, agent, or representative. No Contractor employee shall state orally or in writing at any time that he or she is acting on behalf of the Government. In all communications with third parties in connection with this contract, Contractor employees shall identify themselves as Contractor employees and specify the name of the company for which they work. In all communications with other Government contractors in connection with this contract, the Contractor employee shall state that they have no authority to in any way change the contract and that if the other contractor believes this communication to be a direction to change their contract, they should notify the Contracting Officer for that contract and not carry out the direction until a clarification has been issued by the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall insure that all of its employees working on this contract are informed of the substance of this article. Nothing in this article shall limit the Government's rights in any way under the other provisions of the contract, including those related to the Government's right to inspect and accept the services to be performed under this contract. The substance of this article shall be included in all subcontracts at any tier.

3. Site Visits.

The NINDS anticipates making visits to the Contractor facility. Contractor shall be responsible for making the facility available for a visit and arranging meetings with appropriate personnel.

The Contractor may be required to make an approved reverse site visit to Bethesda, Maryland to meet with NINDS staff.

4. Human Materials

Any acquisition and/or supply of human specimen materials, requires advance written approval from the Contracting Officer.

5. Confidential Treatment of Sensitive Information

The Government has determined that the information/data that the Contractor will be provided during the performance of the contract is of a sensitive nature. The Contractor shall guarantee strict confidentiality of the information/data that it is provided by the Government during the performance of the contract.

Disclosure of the information/data, in whole or in part, by the Contractor can only be made after the Contractor receives prior written approval from the Contracting Officer. Whenever the Contractor is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of information/data under the contract, the Contractor shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer.

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SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

ARTICLE C.1. [DESCRIPTION-SPECIFICATION-WORKSTATEMENT-STATEMENT OF WORK]

a. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall be required to furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the Statement of Work, dated 10/08/2021, attached hereto and made a part of this Solicitation (See SECTION J - List of Attachments).

b. The applicable Privacy Act System of Records Number is 95-25-0118 and shall be used in any design, development, or operation work to be performed under the resultant contract. Disposition of records shall be in accordance with SECTION C of the contract, and by direction of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

ARTICLE C.2. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All reports required herein shall be submitted in electronic format. In addition, one hardcopy of each report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer.

All electronic reports submitted shall be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additional information about testing documents for Section 508 compliance, including guidance and specific checklists, by application, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html under "Making Files Accessible."

All paper/hardcopy documents/reports submitted under this contract shall be printed or copied, double-sided, on at least 30 percent post consumer fiber paper, whenever practicable, in accordance with FAR 4.302(b).

a. Technical Progress Reports

In addition to the required reports set forth elsewhere in this Schedule, the preparation and submission of regularly recurring Technical Progress Reports will be required in any contract resulting from this solicitation. These reports will require descriptive information about the activities undertaken during the reporting period and will require information about planned activities for future reporting periods. The frequency and specific content of these reports will be determined prior to contract award. [Note: Beginning May 25, 2008, the Contractor shall include the applicable PubMed Central or NIH Manuscript Submission reference number when citing publications that arise from its NIH funded research.]

For proposal preparation purposes only, it is estimated that in addition to the required electronic version(s) 0 hard copies of these reports will be required as follows:

[ ] Monthly [X] Quarterly [ ] Semi-Annually [X] Annually [ ] Annually (with a requirement for a Draft Annual Report) [ ] Final - Upon final completion of the contract [X] Final - Upon final completion of the contract (with a requirement for a Draft Final Report)

Summary of Salient Results

The Contractor will be required to prepare and submit, with the final report, a summary (not to exceed 200 words) of salient results achieved during the performance of the contract. This report will be required on or before the expiration date of the contract.

http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html

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b. Other Reports/Deliverables

1. Reporting of Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)

All reports and documentation required by 45 CFR Part 94, Responsible Prospective Contractors including, but not limited to, the New FCOI Report, Annual FCOI Report, Revised FCOI Report, and the Mitigation Report, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer in Electronic format. Thereafter, reports shall be due in accordance with the regulatory compliance requirements in 45 CFR Part 94.

45 CFR Part 94 is available at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?

c=ecfr&SID=0af84ca649a74846f102aaf664da1623&rgn=div5&view=text&node=45:1.0.1.1.51&idno=45.

See Part 94.5, Management and reporting of financial conflicts of interest for complete information on reporting requirements.

(Reference subparagraph g. of the INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING INVESTIGATOR FINANCIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Article in SECTION H of this contract.)

HHS SECURITY AND PRIVACY LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND IT PROCUREMENTS

INFORMATION AND/OR PHYSICAL SECURITY

A. Security Assessment and Authorization (SA&A)- A valid authority to operate (ATO) certifies that the Contractor's information system meets the contract's requirements to protect the agency data. If the system under this contract does not have a valid ATO, the Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall work with the agency and supply the deliverables required to complete the ATO within the specified timeline(s) within three

(3) months after contract award. The Contractor shall conduct the SA&A requirements in accordance with HHS IS2P, NIST SP 800-37, Guide for Applying the Risk Management Framework to Federal Information Systems: A Security Life Cycle Approach (latest revision).

For an existing ATO, Contracting Officer Representative must make a determination if the existing ATO provides appropriate safeguards or if an additional ATO is required for the performance of the contract and state as such.

NIH acceptance of the ATO does not alleviate the Contractor's responsibility to ensure the system security and privacy controls are implemented and operating effectively.

B. SA&A Package Deliverables - The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall provide an SA&A package within 30 days of contract award to the CO and/or COR. The following SA&A deliverables are required to complete the SA&A package.

● System Security Plan (SSP) - due within 30 days after contract award. The SSP shall comply with the NIST SP 800-18, Guide for Developing Security Plans for Federal Information Systems, the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 200, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems, and NIST SP 800-53, Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations applicable baseline requirements, and other applicable NIST guidance as well as HHS and NIH policies and other guidance. The SSP shall be consistent with and detail the approach to IT security contained in the Contractor's bid or proposal that resulted in the award of this contract.

The SSP shall provide an overview of the system environment and security requirements to protect the information system as well as describe all applicable security controls in place or planned for meeting those requirements. It should provide a structured process for planning adequate, cost-effective security protection for a system. The Contractor shall update the SSP at least annually thereafter.

● Security Assessment Plan/Report (SAP/SAR) - due 30 days after the contract award. The security assessment shall be conducted by the assessor and be consistent with NIST SP 800-53A, NIST SP 800-30, and HHS and NIH policies. The assessor will document the assessment results in the SAR.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=0af84ca649a74846f102aaf664da1623&rgn=div5&view=text&node=45:1.0.1.1.51&idno=45 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=0af84ca649a74846f102aaf664da1623&rgn=div5&view=text&node=45:1.0.1.1.51&idno=45

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The NIH should determine which security control baseline applies and then make a determination on the appropriateness/necessity of obtaining an independent assessment. Assessments of controls can be performed by contractor, government, or third parties, with third party verification considered the strongest. If independent assessment is required, include statement below.

Thereafter, the Contractor, in coordination with the NIH shall conduct/assist in the assessment of the security controls and update the SAR at least annually.

● Independent Assessment - due 90 days after the contract award. The Contractor (and/or subcontractor) shall have an independent third-party validate the security and privacy controls in place for the system(s). The independent third party shall review and analyze the Security Authorization package, and report on technical, operational, and management level deficiencies as outlined in NIST SP 800-53. The Contractor shall address all "high" deficiencies before submitting the package to the Government for acceptance. All remaining deficiencies must be documented in a system Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M).

● POA&M - due 30 days after contract award. The POA&M shall be documented consistent with the HHS Standard for Plan of Action and Milestones and NIH policies. All high-risk weaknesses must be mitigated within 30 days and all medium weaknesses must be mitigated within 60 days from the date the weaknesses are formally identified and documented. The NIH will determine the risk rating of vulnerabilities. Identified risks stemming from deficiencies related to the security control baseline implementation, assessment, continuous monitoring, vulnerability scanning, and other security reviews and sources, as documented in the SAR, shall be documented and tracked by the Contractor for mitigation in the POA&M document. Depending on the severity of the risks, NIH may require designated POAM weaknesses to be remediated before an ATO is issued.

Thereafter, the POA&M shall be updated at least quarterly.

C. Contingency Plan and Contingency Plan Test - due 60 days after contract award. The Contingency Plan must be developed in accordance with NIST SP 800-34, Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems, and be consistent with HHS and NIH policies. Upon acceptance by the System Owner, the Contractor, in coordination with the System Owner, shall test the Contingency Plan and prepare a Contingency Plan Test Report that includes the test results, lessons learned and any action items that need to be addressed.

Thereafter, the Contractor shall update and test the Contingency Plan at least annually.

● E-Authentication Questionnaire - The contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall collaborate with government personnel to ensure that an E-Authentication Threshold Analysis (E-auth TA) is completed to determine if a full E-Authentication Risk Assessment (E-auth RA) is necessary. System documentation developed for a system using E-auth TA/E-auth RA methods shall follow OMB 04-04 and NIST SP 800-63, Rev. 2, Electronic Authentication Guidelines.

Based on the level of assurance determined by the E-Auth, the Contractor (and/or subcontractor) must ensure appropriate authentication to the system, including remote authentication, is in-place in accordance with the assurance level determined by the E-Auth (when required) in accordance with HHS policies.

D. POSITION SENSITIVITY DESIGNATIONS

All Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) employees must obtain a background investigation commensurate with their position sensitivity designation that complies with Parts 1400 and 731 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The following position sensitivity designation levels apply to this solicitation/contract:

[ ] Level 6: Public Trust - High Risk. Contractor/subcontractor employees assigned to Level 6 positions shall undergo a Suitability Determination and Background Investigation (MBI).

[ ] Level 5: Public Trust - Moderate Risk. Contractor/subcontractor employees assigned to Level 5 positions with no previous investigation and approval shall undergo a Suitability Determination and a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI), or a Limited Background Investigation (LBI).

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[X] Level 1: Non-Sensitive. Contractor/subcontractor employees assigned to Level 1 positions shall undergo a Suitability Determination and National Check and Inquiry Investigation (NACI).

1. HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE (HSPD)-12

Roster-

a. The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall submit a roster by name, position, e-mail address, phone number and responsibility, of all staff working under this acquisition where the Contractor will develop, have the ability to access, or host and/or maintain a government information system(s). The roster shall be submitted to the COR and/or CO within fourteen (14) calendar days after the effective date of this contract. Any revisions to the roster as a result of staffing changes shall be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the change.

The COR will notify the Contractor of the appropriate level of investigation required for each staff member. An electronic template, "Roster of Employees Requiring Suitability Investigations," is available for contractor use at:

https://ocio.nih.gov/aboutus/publicinfosecurity/acquisition/Documents/SuitabilityRoster_10-15-12.xlsx.

b. If the Contractor is filling a new position, the Contractor shall provide a position description and the Government will determine the appropriate suitability level. Upon receipt of the Government's notification of applicable Suitability Investigations required, the Contractor shall complete and submit the required forms within 30 days of the notification.

c. Upon receipt of the Government's notification of applicable Suitability Investigations required, the Contractor shall complete and submit the required forms within 30 days of the notification.

d. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in advance when any new personnel, who are subject to a background check/investigation, will work under the contract and if they have previously been the subject of national agency checks or background investigations.

e. All contractor and subcontractor employees shall comply with the conditions established for their designated position sensitivity level prior to performing any work under this contract. Contractors may begin work after the fingerprint check has been completed.

f. Investigations are expensive and may delay performance, regardless of the outcome of the investigation. Delays associated with rejections and consequent re-investigations may not be excusable in accordance with the FAR clause, Excusable Delays - see FAR 52.249-14. Accordingly, the Contractor shall ensure that any additional employees whose names it submits for work under this contract have a reasonable chance for approval.

g. Typically, the Government investigates personnel at no cost to the Contractor. However, multiple investigations for the same position may, at the Contracting Officer's discretion, justify reduction(s) in the contract price of no more that the cost of the additional investigation(s).

h. The Contractor shall include language similar to this "HHS Controlled Facilities and Information Systems Security" language in all subcontracts that require subcontractor personnel to have the same frequency and duration of (1) physical access to an HHS-controlled facility; (2) logical access to an HHS-controlled information system; (3) access to sensitive HHS data/information, whether in an HHS-controlled information system or in hard copy; or (4) any combination of circumstances (1) through (3).

i. The Contractor shall direct inquiries, including requests for forms and assistance, to the Contracting Officer or designee.

j. Within 7 calendar days after the Government's final acceptance of the work under this contract, or upon termination of the contract, the Contractor shall return all identification badges to the Contracting Officer or designee.

E. CONTRACT INITIATION AND EXPIRATION

https://ocio.nih.gov/aboutus/publicinfosecurity/acquisition/Documents/SuitabilityRoster_10-15-12.xlsx

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1. General Security Requirements- The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall comply with information security and privacy requirements, Enterprise Performance Life Cycle (EPLC) processes, HHS Enterprise Architecture requirements to ensure information is appropriately protected from initiation to expiration of the contract. All information systems development or enhancement tasks supported by the contractor shall follow the HHS EPLC framework and methodology.

HHS EA requirements may be located here: https://ocio.nih.gov/PM/Pages/EPLC.aspx.

2. System Documentation- Contractors (and/or any subcontractors) must follow and adhere to NIST SP 800-64, Security Considerations in the System Development Life Cycle, at a minimum, for system development and provide system documentation at designated intervals (specifically, at the expiration of the contract) within the EPLC that require artifact review and approval.

3. Sanitization of Government Files and Information- As part of contract closeout and at expiration of the contract, the Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall provide all required documentation in accordance with the NIH Media Sanitization and Disposal Policy to the CO and/or COR to certify that, at the government's direction, all electronic and paper records are appropriately disposed of and all devices and media are sanitized in accordance with NIST SP 800-88, Guidelines for Media Sanitization.

4. Notification- The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall notify the CO and/or COR and system ISSO within fifteen days before an employee stops working under this contract.

5. Contractor Responsibilities Upon Physical Completion of the Contract- The contractor (and/or any subcontractors) shall return all government information and IT resources (i.e., government information in non-government-owned systems, media, and backup systems) acquired during the term of this contract to the CO and/or COR. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide a certification that all government information has been properly sanitized and purged from Contractor-owned systems, including backup systems and media used during contract performance, in accordance with HHS and/or NIH policies.

6. The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall perform and document the actions identified in the NIH Contractor Employee Separation Checklist https://ocio.nih.gov/aboutus/publicinfosecurity/acquisition/Documents/ Emp-sep-checklist.pdf when an employee terminates work under this contract within 2 days of the employee's exit from the contract. All documentation shall be made available to the CO and/or COR upon request.

F. Contractor Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)- Each Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) employee having access to non-public government information under this contract shall complete the NIH non-disclosure agreement https://ocio.nih.gov/aboutus/publicinfosecurity/acquisition/Documents/Nondisclosure.pdf , as applicable. A copy of each signed and witnessed NDA shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer (CO) and/or CO Representative (COR) prior to performing any work under this acquisition.

G. Vulnerability Scanning Reports The Contractor shall report the results of the required monthly special vulnerability scans no later than 10 days following the end of each reporting period. If required monthly, this report may be included as part of the Technical Progress Report. Otherwise, this report shall be submitted under a separate cover on monthly basis.

H. Government Access for Security Assessment. In addition to the Inspection Clause in the contract, the Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall afford the Government access to the Contractor's facilities, installations, operations, documentation, information systems, and personnel used in performance of this contract to the extent required to carry out a program of security assessment (to include vulnerability testing), investigation, and audit to safeguard against threats and hazards to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of federal data or to the protection of information systems operated on behalf of HHS, including but are not limited to:

a. At any tier handling or accessing information, consent to and allow the Government, or an independent third party working at the Government's direction, without notice at any time during a weekday during regular business hours contractor local time, to access contractor and subcontractor installations, facilities, infrastructure, data centers, equipment (including but not limited to all servers, computing devices, and portable https://ocio.nih.gov/PM/Pages/EPLC.aspx

- 14 -media), operations, documentation (whether in electronic, paper, or other forms), databases, and personnel which are used in performance of the contract.

The Government includes but is not limited to the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office, and the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The purpose of the access is to facilitate performance inspections and reviews, security and compliance audits, and law enforcement investigations. For security audits, the audit may include but not be limited to such items as buffer overflows, open ports, unnecessary services, lack of user input filtering, cross site scripting vulnerabilities, SQL injection vulnerabilities, and any other known vulnerabilities.

b. At any tier handling or accessing protected information, fully cooperate with all audits, inspections, investigations, forensic analysis, or other reviews or requirements needed to carry out requirements presented in applicable law or policy. Beyond providing access, full cooperation also includes, but is not limited to, disclosure to investigators of information sufficient to identify the nature and extent of any criminal or fraudulent activity and the individuals responsible for that activity. It includes timely and complete production of requested data, metadata, information, and records relevant to any inspection, audit, investigation, or review, and making employees of the contractor available for interview by inspectors, auditors, and investigators upon request. Full cooperation also includes allowing the Government to make reproductions or copies of information and equipment, including, if necessary, collecting a machine or system image capture.

c. Segregate Government protected information and metadata on the handling of Government protected information from other information. Commingling of information is prohibited. Inspectors, auditors, and investigators will not be precluded from having access to the sought information if sought information is commingled with other information.

d. Cooperate with inspections, audits, investigations, and reviews.

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2. Section 508 Annual Report

The contractor shall submit an annual Section 508 report in accordance with the schedule set forth by the Contracting Officer (CO)/Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Section 508 Report Template and Instructions for completing the report are available at: http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/ contracting/technology/vendors.html under "Vendor Information and Documents."

3. Multiple Principal Investigators Leadership Plan The Contractor shall submit a revised/updated Leadership Plan in the event of a change in any of the Principal Investigators named in the Key Personnel Article in SECTION G of this contract. The revised plan is subject to review and approval by the Contracting Officer.

ARTICLE C.3. INVENTION REPORTING REQUIREMENT

All reports and documentation required by FAR Clause 52.227-11, Patent Rights-Ownership by the Contractor including, but not limited to, the invention disclosure report, the confirmatory license, and the Government support certification, shall be directed to the Division of Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources (DEITR), OPERA, OER, NIH, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, MSC 7980, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7980 (Telephone: 301-435-1986). In addition, one copy of an annual utilization report, and a copy of the final invention statement, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer. The final invention statement (see FAR 27.303(b)(2)(ii)) shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer on the expiration date of the contract.

The annual utilization report shall be submitted in accordance with the DELIVERIES Article in SECTION F of this contract The final invention statement (see FAR 27.303(b)(2)(ii)) shall be submitted on the expiration date of the contract. All reports shall be sent to the following address:

Contracting Officer National Institutes of Health

NIH-NIDA

Office of Acquisition

, Room Bethesda, Maryland 20892-

If no invention is disclosed or no activity has occurred on a previously disclosed invention during the applicable reporting period, a negative report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer at the address listed above.

To assist contractors in complying with invention reporting requirements of the clause, the NIH has developed "Interagency Edison," an electronic invention reporting system. Use of Interagency Edison is required as it streamlines the reporting process and greatly reduces paperwork. Access to the system is through a secure interactive Web site to ensure that all information submitted is protected. Interagency Edison and information relating to the capabilities of the system can be obtained from the Web ( http://www.iedison.gov), or by contacting the Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources Branch, OPERA, NIH.

http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/contracting/technology/vendors.html http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/contracting/technology/vendors.html http://www.iedison.gov

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SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with Government specifications. At a minimum, all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. The Contractor shall guarantee that all required materials shall be delivered in immediate usable and acceptable condition.

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SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a. The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided.

b. For the purpose of this SECTION, TO BE DETERMINED is the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer.

c. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

National Institutes of Health-NINDS

Bethesda

MD

20892

Acceptance may be presumed unless otherwise indicated in writing by the Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative within 30 days of receipt.

d. This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available.

FAR Clause 52.246-9, Inspection of Research and Development (Short Form) (April 1984).

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SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

ARTICLE F.1. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

a. The period of performance of this contract shall be from 03/22/2022 through 03/21/2023.

a. If the Government exercises its option(s) pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in Section H of this contract, the period of performance will be increased as listed below:

Option Option Period

9 Months

2 12 Months 3 12 Months 4 12 Months 5 3 Months

ARTICLE F.2. DELIVERIES (Applicable to completion CLINs)

Satisfactory performance of the final contract shall be deemed to occur upon performance of the work described in the Transition Out Services of the Statement of Work in SECTION C of this contract and upon delivery and acceptance by the Contracting Officer, or the duly authorized representative, of the following items in accordance with the stated delivery schedule:

a. The items specified below as described in the REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Article in SECTION C of this contract will be required to be delivered F.o.b. Destination as set forth in FAR 52.247-35, F.o.b. DESTINATION, WITHIN CONSIGNEES PREMISES (APRIL 1984), and in accordance with and by the date(s) specified below [and any specifications stated in SECTION D, PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING, of this contract]:

Item Description Quantity Delivery Schedule

(1) Transfer of all items and data 1 Lot 3 Months from start of option exercise

b. The above items shall be addressed and delivered to the Contracting Officer

ARTICLE F.3. LEVEL OF EFFORT (Applicable to level-of-effort CLINs)

a. During the period of performance of this contract, the Contractor shall provide TBD direct labor Hours . The labor Hours Include vacation, holiday, and sick leave. These labor Hours Include subcontractor labor Hours .

It is estimated that the labor Hours are constituted as specified below and will be expended approximately as follows:

Labor Hours

Period/Item Hours Number of Times Option can be Exercised

Total Hours

Base Period (9 mo.) 27,801 or TBD 1 Option Period 1 (12 mo.) 37,068 or TBD 1

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Period/Item Hours Number of Times Option can be Exercised

Total Hours

Option Period 2 (12 mo.) 37,068 or TBD 1 Option Period 3 (12 mo.) 37,068 or TBD 1 Option Period 4 (12 mo.) 37,068 or TBD 1

Quantity Option 1 (Option Period 1)

TBD 5

Quantity Option 2 (Option Period 2)

TBD 5

Quantity Option 3 (Option Period 3)

TBD 5

Quantity Option 4 (Option Period 4)

TBD 5

Totals

b. The Contractor shall have satisfied the requirement herein if not less than 10% nor more than 10% of the total direct labor Hours specified herein are furnished. These terms and conditions do not supersede the requirements of either the "Limitation of Cost" or "Limitation of Funds" clause.

ARTICLE F.4. CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, FAR 52.252-2 (FEBRUARY

1998)

This contract incorporates the following clause(s) by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSE:

52.242-15, Stop Work Order (August 1989)

Alternate I (April 1984) is applicable to this contract.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar

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SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

ARTICLE G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The following Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

TO BE SPECIFIED PRIOR TO AWARD

The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.

[The alternate COR is responsible for carrying out the duties of the COR only in the event that the COR can no longer perform his/her duties as assigned.]

The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. Any signed agreement shall be incorporated by reference in Section K of the contract

The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation.

ARTICLE G.2. KEY PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (December 2015)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to the contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement's skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract (including, when applicable, Human Subjects Testing requirements).